Xiaoxue: Qi cold keeps snow warm and moistens dryness
2024-11-22
Xiaoxue emits smoke and mixed with auspicious light, while the clear waves and cold waves lead to a long moat. "Time is a postman. When fallen leaves stamp the earth with a postmark, sending winter's confession, autumn fades away, cold enters winter, and the light snow season arrives gracefully. November 22nd this year is a day of light snow. At this moment, the winter atmosphere is gradually strengthening. Under the urging of the north wind, the cold air is crossing mountains and valleys, and the first snow in the north may arrive. All things are hidden in winter, and the earth is quiet and leisurely. The silver wrapped winter painting will slowly unfold. The rainbow hides and disappears, blocking into winter snow. It is the 20th solar term among the 24 solar terms and the second solar term of winter. Around November 22nd every year, when the sun reaches 240 degrees yellow longitude, it enters the light snow season. The light snow during the solar term reflects the trend of temperature and precipitation changes, and does not necessarily mean that it will snow. The "Collection and Explanation of the Seventy Two Houhou of the Moon" records: "In the middle of October, the rain falls and becomes thin due to the cold air, so it condenses into snow. The small ones are not yet abundant." The "Qunfang Pu" says: "The small snow has a cold air and is already covered in snow, and the earth is not even cold and the snow is not heavy." That is to say, during the small snow season, due to a significant decrease in temperature, some areas change their precipitation form from rain to snow, but at this time the amount of snow is not large, so it is called small snow. Xiaoxue is a sign of the beginning of cold. At this time, cold waves and strong cold air activities are frequent, and temperatures in most parts of the country continue to decline. After the Xiaoxue solar term, the point of direct sunlight continues to move southward, getting closer and closer to the Tropic of Cancer. The duration of sunlight in the northern hemisphere becomes shorter and shorter, and night falls in many areas of China around 5 or 6 pm in the afternoon. The clouds darkened and formed tiny dots, and I could hear the sound of ginseng sprinkling on the window sill In the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River, the cool northwest wind may bring the first snow. Although it starts to snow, the amount of snow is generally not large, and sometimes it falls in a semi frozen and semi melted state, which is called "wet snow" in meteorology; Sometimes it is a combination of rain and snow, known as' sleet '; Sometimes white ice particles as small as rice grains land, called "rice snow". At this time, the southern region is also showing a chill, although there is little snowfall, there will be frost. The sight of frost in the light snow heralds a bountiful year. In the early morning, there is a thin layer of white frost between the plants and on the land. From a distance, there is a unique atmosphere of "falling frost like snow". There is a saying in agriculture that goes, "If there is light snow all over the sky, there will be a bountiful year next year." In the past, people liked to infer the climate and agricultural activities based on whether there was snowfall and the weather during the light snow season. For winter wheat, snow comes first, then water, and finally fertilizer. Snow can freeze some bacteria and pests to death, reducing the occurrence of diseases and pests in the coming year; Snow has a warming effect, which is beneficial for the decomposition of organic matter in the soil and enhances soil fertility. No wonder the folk say 'auspicious snow heralds a bountiful year'. Xiaoxue has three seasons: one is when the rainbow hides and disappears; The weather rises and the atmosphere decreases during the second lunar month; Three seasons of blockage lead to winter. During the Xiaoxue solar term, rainwater condenses into snow due to the decrease in temperature, making it difficult to see rainbows again; The ancients believed that "weather" was yang and "earth qi" was yin. After the Xiaoxue solar term, yang qi rises and yin qi falls, causing all things to lose vitality and become desolate; There is a folk saying that goes, 'Little snow seals the land, big snow seals the river; little snow seals the fields, big snow seals the ships.' As a result, it becomes winter. Xiaoxue is colder than the beginning of winter, and the yang energy is further hidden. At this time, the human body is in a stage of yin prosperity and yang decline. Health preservation requires attention to protecting yang qi, nourishing yin and eliminating dryness, especially focusing on warming the spleen and keeping warm, that is, protecting the spleen and stomach, and resisting severe cold Cheng Nian Nian, Deputy Chief Physician of the Oncology Department at Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine affiliated with Capital Medical University, introduced that traditional Chinese medicine believes that cold is a yin evil with the characteristics of attracting and condensing, which can easily damage the yang energy in the human body. During the period of light snow, attention should be paid to preventing respiratory system diseases and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Patients with basic diseases such as high blood pressure should pay attention to controlling blood pressure and take medication on time. Winter wax is pickled in the wind, stored to resist the winter snow season. The chill gradually intensifies, but it does not drive away people's enthusiasm. Pickling cold dishes, making glutinous rice cake, making bacon, brewing rice wine... wise Chinese people seize the best opportunity to make delicious food and enjoy their life. The wisps of white smoke drifting into the air enveloped the days in a steaming heat. As the saying goes, "Little snow pickles contain a hundred flavors." In many people's memories, the taste of winter often begins with pickles. In winter, seasonal vegetables became increasingly scarce, so people often started pickling in Xiaoxue. In the north, washing and drying cabbage, radish, snow spinach, beans, etc., then marinating them with salt into a jar, is called "salted vegetables" or "pickled vegetables". In the south, there is a custom of eating glutinous rice cake in October of the lunar calendar. Glutinous rice cake is a food made by steaming and pounding glutinous rice. In some places, glutinous rice cake is made into a round shape, symbolizing harvest, celebration, and reunion. In some places, it is also known as "rice cake", symbolizing good luck and good fortune. Winter wax is pickled in the wind and stored to resist the winter In winter, when the weather is dry and the food is dry, it is a good time to process cured meat, and people in southern regions have a special preference for preserved meat. After the Xiaoxue solar term, some farmers began to make sausages, cured meats, and so on. After a long period of careful marinating, the cured meat is fat but not greasy, and fragrant for ten miles. People in Guangzhou like to use it to make Fried white radish patty, boiled taro and sausages with honey beans. The rich and mellow aroma that soothes the taste buds is the taste of home. Xiaoxue brews new wine and doesn't feel cold in early winter In ancient times, most of the wine was brewed before and after the light snow. At this time, the farming had already ended, new grains were stored in the warehouse, and the harvest of grains was abundant. People brewed wine for the purpose of year-end worship. At this time, all things are gathered together, the water is extremely clear, and the wine brewed is clear in color and bitter in taste. People call the wine brewed at this time "Xiaoxue Wine". During the Xiaoxue period, try to eat hot food and avoid cold drinks. At the same time, eat spicy foods such as Sichuan peppercorns and ginger appropriately. According to traditional Chinese medicine, 'Xin nourishes and disperses.' Eating spicy food appropriately at this time can help dispel cold and dampness Cheng Nian reminds people who are deficient in body cold and lack yang energy to eat warm foods such as lamb, longan, and jujube, as well as some kidney tonifying foods such as cashew nuts, water chestnuts, yams, chestnuts, white fruits, walnuts, etc. It should be emphasized that excessive supplementation is not allowed Cheng Niang introduced that with the widespread use of heating facilities such as heating and air conditioning, a dry and hot indoor environment can easily cause heat accumulation in the body. If people take too much tonics, they are prone to developing "internal heat", resulting in symptoms such as facial acne, oral ulcers, gum swelling and pain, irritability, and constipation. At this time, in addition to increasing indoor humidity appropriately and drinking more water, it is also necessary to stop taking tonics and eat some foods that clear heat and moisten dryness to nourish the body fluid. Good choices include cabbage tofu soup, spinach tofu soup, etc. In addition, during the Xiaoxue solar term, you can eat more vegetables and fruits, such as Chinese cabbage, radish, bananas, pears, apples, etc. You can also boil pear water and radish water to prevent dry mouth and throat caused by dry weather. As soon as the Xiaoxue solar term arrives, people begin to look forward to the first snowfall. Thinking and reciting, she quietly came one day. In ancient times, literati and poets were particularly fond of the "Xiaoxue" solar term, leaving behind many classics about Xiaoxue. On a cold winter night, Bai Juyi and his friends gathered around the stove to drink wine, chatting for a long time, feeling so warm and comfortable; The wind startles the bamboo, and the snow fills the mountains when the door is opened. "Wang Wei heard the rustling sound of the wind blowing bamboo leaves through the window, pushed open the door, and saw that the mountains were all white, wrapped in silver, creating a peaceful and magnificent snow scene; Hua Xue never gets tired of watching the wind, and even more are willing to lose the forest. Worried people are under the book window, with one cold flying in and out. "Xiao Xue fluttered in the wind, making people never tire of it. Dai Shulun looked at the snowflakes flying in the sky, feeling waves of coldness, and every cold flying in hit his heart..." The ancients said, 'Avoiding wind is like avoiding an arrow.' Wind, cold, and dampness are one of the characteristics of this season. During the period of Xiao Xue, attention should be paid to keeping warm while avoiding the cold, and clothes should be adjusted appropriately, increasing or decreasing as needed. "Cheng Nian reminds that it is important to keep the head, chest, waist, and abdomen warm. The head is the place where all the yang meridians converge, and should not be affected by wind and cold. Wear hats, scarves, etc. frequently to protect Yang energy; The chest and back are where the cardiovascular and respiratory systems are located, and exposure to cold can easily trigger coronary heart disease; Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the kidneys are the foundation of innate health, and the spleen is the foundation of acquired health. Winter health preservation requires taking good care of the waist and abdomen where the kidneys are located. At the same time, don't cover yourself too tightly in a warm room, it's better to stay warm and not sweat; Go to places with lower temperatures and add clothes in a timely manner to avoid alternating hot and cold; Soak your feet in hot water before going to bed to promote blood circulation and naturally warm up your body. There is a folk saying that goes: "If you move in winter, you won't get sick; if you're lazy in winter, drink more medicine." "During the light snow season, you should also insist on moderate outdoor exercise." Cheng Nian explained that traditional Chinese medicine believes that "movement generates yang." Although the external environment is relatively cold, the human body can be stimulated by appropriate cold, which can accelerate the heartbeat, blood circulation, metabolism, and heat production; Due to the winter season, it is not advisable to sweat profusely during exercise, especially for the elderly. Relaxing exercises such as Eight Section Brocade and Tai Chi are recommended. It should be noted that winter exercise should be done after 9 o'clock every day, avoiding strong winds, heavy fog, haze, rain and snow weather. Warm up adequately before exercise, and do not immediately reduce clothing after sweating to avoid catching a cold. From the age of one to a little snow, there may be snow, maybe no snow. With snow, there is joy; without snow, there is anticipation. In this season of 'Don't blame the rainbow for the absence of shadows', why not invite three or five friends to sit around the stove, chat at night, warm up wine and make tea, and gently ask your friends next to you,' Can I have a drink? '"(New Press)
Edit：Chen Jie Responsible editor：Li Ling
Source：People's Daily
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