Xiao Han (Minor Cold) is the 23rd solar term, occurring between January 5th and 7th, when the sun is at 285° of the ecliptic longitude. For China, Xiao Han marks the beginning of the coldest days of the year. According to Chinese meteorological data, Xiao Han is the solar term with the lowest temperatures, with only the temperatures of Da Han (Major Cold) in a few years being lower than those of Xiao Han.
What to eat for health preservation during Xiao Han? "Laba Porridge"
During the "Xiao Han" solar term, an important folk custom is eating "Laba Porridge." The "Yanjing Suishi Ji" (Record of Annual Festivals in the Capital) states, "Laba porridge is made by cooking together yellow rice, white rice, glutinous rice, millet, water caltrop rice, chestnuts, red cowpeas, and pitted red bean paste in water. It is then garnished with red-dyed peach kernels, almonds, melon seeds, peanuts, hazelnuts, pine nuts, as well as white sugar, brown sugar, and raisins." The foods mentioned above are all considered sweet and warm in nature, with the effects of regulating the spleen and stomach, replenishing the middle jiao and qi, tonifying qi and nourishing blood, expelling cold and strengthening the body, and promoting the production of fluids to quench thirst. The ancient Chinese called "porridge the number one nourishing food in the world," believing that eating porridge could prolong life. Li Shizhen, in his "Compendium of Materia Medica," said that porridge can "benefit qi, promote fluid production, nourish the spleen and stomach, and treat deficiency and cold." Zhang Lei's "Zhu Ji" (Record of Porridge) also states: "Every morning, eat a large bowl of porridge. On an empty stomach, the stomach is weak, and the essence of grains is then produced. The nourishment is not insignificant, and it is extremely soft and smooth, harmonizing with the stomach and intestines, making it the most wonderful secret of diet."
What to eat for health preservation during Xiao Han? Sea Bass
To nourish yang energy and contain yin fluids within the body, one can also eat sea bass. The "Compendium of Materia Medica" records: "It is sweet and neutral in flavor, entering the liver, spleen, and kidney meridians. It nourishes the five organs, benefits the muscles and bones, treats water-related ailments, is pleasant to eat in large quantities, and when dried, it is very fragrant. It benefits the liver and kidneys, and also calms the fetus and replenishes the middle jiao."
What to eat for health preservation during Xiao Han? Pear
During this season, pears are the best fruit to eat. Medical books describe pears as having a cold nature, a sweet and slightly sour flavor, and they enter the lung, stomach, heart, and liver meridians. They are indicated for treating hot coughs, quenching thirst, treating apoplexy caused by excess heat with loss of speech, and alleviating vexation and shortness of breath. They can regulate the lungs, calm the heart, resolve phlegm, reduce fire, and counteract toxin from sores. However, those with a weak spleen and stomach should not eat too many.
What to eat for health preservation during Xiao Han? Finally, we recommend a longevity-promoting pigeon egg soup for you.
Ingredients: 10 grams each of goji berries and Solomon's seal root, 4 pigeon eggs, and an appropriate amount of rock sugar. Method: 1. Wash and chop the goji berries and Solomon's seal root, set aside. 2. Pour an appropriate amount of water into a pot, add the above ingredients, and bring to a boil. After about 15 minutes, crack the pigeon eggs and drop them into the pot one by one. At the same time, add the rock sugar and cook until done.
Effects: Nourishes the liver and kidneys, benefits qi and blood, and moistens the lungs and yin.
A special reminder for health preservation during Xiao Han: this solar term also has the highest incidence of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in a year. Therefore, patients with hypertension, coronary heart disease, hyperlipidemia, and asthma should pay attention to keeping warm and preventing cold, adjust their diet reasonably, focus on early prevention, and establish a scientific concept and methods of health preservation.