Cold Dew is the second-to-last solar term of autumn. At this time, the northeast and northwest regions have entered or are about to enter winter. In most years, the first frost can already be seen in most parts of the capital, Beijing. Except for the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, which has snowfall all year round, the northeast and northern regions of Xinjiang generally begin to see snowfall.
Historical records state: "When the Dipper points to the cold Jia, it is Cold Dew. At this time, the dew is cold and chilly, about to congeal, hence the name Cold Dew." "The dew is cold and is about to congeal." With the arrival of Cold Dew, the climate turns from hot to cold. All things follow the growth of cold qi and gradually wither and fall. This is the season of transition between heat and cold. In nature, the yin and yang qi begin to shift; yang qi gradually recedes, and yin qi gradually grows. The body's physiological activities must also adapt to the changes in nature to maintain the body's physiological (yin and yang) balance.
Traditional Chinese Medicine emphasizes in the health preservation of the four seasons, "nourish yang in spring and summer, and nourish yin in autumn and winter." Therefore, during the autumn season, it is essential to take care of the yang qi within the body. When the weather turns cold, it is precisely when the body's yang qi is converging and the yin essence is潜藏 (qián cáng) internally. Therefore, the focus should be on nourishing the yin essence. In other words, autumn health preservation cannot deviate from the principle of "nourishing the收敛 (shōu liàn)."
Since ancient times, autumn has been known as the golden autumn. In the Five Elements, the lung belongs to metal, so the lung's qi corresponds with the qi of the golden autumn. "During the golden autumn, dryness prevails." At this time, the pathogenic qi of dryness can easily invade the body and consume the lung's yin essence. If not properly regulated, the body may exhibit a series of autumn dryness symptoms, such as a dry throat, dry nose, and dry skin. Therefore, the dietary regulation during the late autumn should focus on nourishing yin and moistening dryness (the lungs). The ancients said: "The dryness of autumn calls for the consumption of hemp to moisten it." At this time, one should eat more moistening foods such as sesame seeds, glutinous rice, japonica rice, honey, and dairy products. At the same time, increase the intake of chicken, duck, beef, pork liver, fish, shrimp, jujubes, and Chinese yam to strengthen the body; reduce the consumption of pungent foods like chili, ginger, scallions, and garlic, as excessive consumption can damage the body's yin essence.
Mental and spiritual cultivation should not be neglected. As the weather turns colder and the days shorten, the wind rustles through the falling leaves, which can often evoke a sense of melancholy in some people, leading to emotional instability and a tendency towards sentimental sadness. Therefore, maintaining a good attitude, guiding one's emotions in the right direction, venting pent-up feelings, and cultivating an optimistic and open mind are indispensable parts of health preservation.
In addition, how to maintain health during the Cold Dew season? When the autumn is cool, people's daily routines should also be adjusted accordingly. In my many years of clinical practice, I have found that as the weather turns cold, the number of patients with cerebral thrombosis increases. Analysis of the reasons suggests a correlation with the colder weather and increased sleep time. This is because blood flow slows down during sleep, making it easier for thrombi to form. The *Suwen: Siqi Tiaoshen Dalun* (Simple Questions: Great Treatise on Regulating the Spirit in Accordance with the Four Seasons) clearly states: "In the three months of autumn, retire early and rise early, rising with the roosters." Retiring early aligns with the storage of yin essence, while rising early aligns with the expansion of yang qi. To prevent the formation of thrombi, it is advisable to follow the solar terms, regulate health according to the time, and ensure well-being.