The proverb "Supplementing during the Sanjiu period of winter ensures health for the coming year" is remarkably insightful. After nearly a year of being worn down by spring dampness and summer heat, the body's yin, yang, qi, and blood can become imbalanced. Proper supplementation can replenish qi, blood, and bodily fluids in a timely manner, defend against the severe cold, and reduce illness in the coming year, achieving a health-boosting effect with half the effort.
Although this season is the optimal time for "supplementation," it's not just about consuming large amounts of tonic foods. The approach must be targeted. According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, supplementation is divided into four categories: supplementing qi, supplementing blood, supplementing yin, and supplementing yang.
● Supplementing qi is mainly for individuals with a qi-deficient constitution, such as those who experience excessive sweating after minimal exertion, mental fatigue, or uterine prolapse in women. It is advisable to use red ginseng, red dates, Atractylodes macrocephala, Astragalus root, Chinese yam, and Schisandra berry.
● Supplementing blood is mainly for those with a blood-deficient constitution, characterized by dizziness, blurred vision, palpitations, insomnia, a sallow complexion, pale lips, or light and scanty menstrual flow in women. It is recommended to use Angelica sinensis, prepared rehmannia root, white peony root, donkey-hide gelatin, and fleeceflower root.
● Supplementing yin is for those with a yin-deficient constitution, showing signs like night sweats, afternoon low-grade fever, flushed cheeks, hot palms and soles, or increased vaginal discharge in women. Suitable herbs include Cordyceps sinensis, white ginseng, Glehnia root, Asparagus root, turtle shell, tortoise plastron, and white fungus.
● Supplementing yang is for those with a yang-deficient constitution, who may have cold hands and feet, an aversion to cold, lower back pain, or diminished sexual function. Recommended choices include deer antler, Eucommia bark, Cistanche deserticola, and Morinda officinalis. We Cantonese people often have a constitution of yin deficiency and yang excess, making it more suitable to choose supplements like Cordyceps sinensis, Dendrobium, Glehnia root, Solomon's seal rhizome, and Euryale ferox, which are then cooked with meat and poultry in soups and stews for supplementation.
Another proverb says, "Move a little in winter, and you'll avoid a bout of illness; be lazy in winter, and you'll drink another bowl of medicine." This highlights the importance of exercise during the winter. On these dry, cold days, it's best to engage more in outdoor activities, such as morning jogs, rope skipping, or shuttlecock kicking. Mentally, one should also maintain a calm state of mind, worry less, be cheerful and optimistic, not be troubled by trivial matters, maintain a peaceful mindset, and find joy in life. During this solar term, people with heart disease and high blood pressure often see their condition worsen, and there is an increase in cases of "stroke." Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the blood in the human body flows more easily when it's warm and tends to stagnate when it's cold. The principle "blood coagulates upon encountering cold" explains this very concept. Therefore, it is crucial to keep warm, especially for the elderly.