Temperatures have remained relatively cold these past few days. As a result, many people's resistance has gradually declined. In late autumn, cold hands, feet, lower abdomen, and neck are the most common symptoms. Sometimes it's difficult to warm these areas, prompting us to consider cupping and moxibustion as methods to dispel the cold from these regions.
Three Acupoints to Massage Against the Biting Cold
While cupping and moxibustion effectively expel cold from the body, traditional Chinese medicine also recommends massaging the Mingmen, Shenque, and Guanyuan acupoints for their remarkable ability to dispel cold and strengthen kidney qi.When the fire of Mingmen weakens, cold pathogens easily invade the body, causing symptoms like aversion to cold and joint pain. Thus, this point is commonly used to invigorate yang, tonify the kidneys, and dispel cold. Method: Rubbing technique (using the thenar eminence, palm base, or hypothenar eminence to apply linear friction back and forth on the area) until warmth penetrates the skin, 1-2 times daily.
Shenshu Point: Located at the center of the navel. The navel is the "knot of innate essence and the dwelling place of acquired qi," serving as the "foundation of the five viscera and six bowels, the root where primordial qi returns and stores." It can invigorate the body's yang qi, possessing the functions of warming and unblocking yang qi, dispelling cold, and unblocking meridians.Method: Overlap both hands, palms facing inward and pressed against the Shenque point. Apply for 15–20 minutes per session, once daily.
Guanyuan Point: Located on the midline of the abdomen, 3 cun below the navel. It is the junction where yin and yang original qi converge and is highly effective for replenishing original yang, hence its name Guanyuan.Guanyuan warms the kidneys, dispels cold, and boosts qi. It is commonly used to treat true yang deficiency, kidney yang deficiency, cold-induced blood stasis, and internal accumulation of cold. Method: Rub until warmth penetrates the skin, 1–2 times daily.
Here are additional ways to ward off the cold:
1. Outdoor activities promote heat production
Outdoor activities stimulate heat generation, regulate metabolic functions, enhance cerebral cortex excitability, and improve thermoregulation. After a sudden drop in temperature, engage in moderate exercise to break a light sweat, thereby strengthening the body. Exercise should balance activity and rest; running or calisthenics should only induce a slight perspiration.
Exercise intensity should vary based on individual constitution and age. For instance, those with cardiovascular or cerebrovascular conditions should avoid strenuous activities like ball sports or mountain climbing. Individuals with respiratory diseases—such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or pulmonary heart disease—should exercise during sunny periods in the morning or afternoon to avoid cold exposure and prevent acute episodes.Elderly individuals should pay particular attention to staying warm and avoid exercising too early in the morning to prevent insufficient cerebral blood supply from triggering strokes. 2. Nourishing the Body with Warm Porridge in the Morning Consuming warm porridge upon waking and eating lightly at dinner helps nourish stomach qi.On cold days, starting the morning with a bowl of warm porridge helps retain body heat, boosts resistance to the cold, and prevents catching colds. For those with sore throats or inflammation, the warm porridge broth soothes the throat and effectively eases discomfort.
Glutinous rice porridge with red dates, eight-treasure porridge, and millet porridge are most suitable.Other beneficial porridges include: longan porridge for calming the mind and nourishing the heart; chrysanthemum porridge for clearing heat and improving vision; crucian carp porridge for regulating the stomach and intestines; poria porridge for strengthening the spleen and stomach; sesame porridge for nourishing essence and yin; walnut porridge for nourishing yin and securing essence; jujube porridge for boosting qi and nourishing yin; white fungus porridge for moistening the lungs and generating fluids; and radish porridge for aiding digestion and resolving phlegm.