Take two baths
On the Winter Solstice, one should bathe twice, once during the day and once at night, known as the day-bath and the night-bath. The purpose of the day-bath is to unblock the body's meridians on this day. The human body has fourteen meridians: the twelve primary meridians, the Conception Vessel, and the Governing Vessel, along with the Eight Extraordinary Meridians. Therefore, bathing during the day helps to clear these fourteen meridians, enhancing the circulation of Qi and blood in the body. The more robust the flow of Qi and blood, the healthier the body will be. The purpose of the night-bath is to open the pores and the fine pathways of the skin's surface. These pathways are called the "Wei" (exterior) and "Li" (interior). The "Wei" pertains to Qi, while the "Li" pertains to blood and includes the five zang-organs and six fu-organs. Cleansing these pathways of the internal organs makes the body even healthier.
Soak your feet at night
As the saying goes, "Cold originates from the feet." In Traditional Chinese Medicine, cold is a pathogenic factor of the Yin nature, and the lower half of the body also belongs to Yin. Therefore, keeping the legs and feet warm in winter is particularly important. For those with cold in the blood, it is advisable to soak the feet in warm water daily. When soaking the feet, it is best to use a taller plastic or wooden bucket. First, it allows the lower part of the calf to be submerged. Second, it holds more water than a regular basin and the water cools down more slowly. It is ideal if the head starts to sweat slightly. According to personal preference, you can also add a few slices of ginger or a pinch of salt, which helps to dispel cold and treat foot skin conditions. Furthermore, those who are sensitive to cold can drink a cup of ginger and brown sugar water in the morning to warm the meridians and nourish the blood.
Preventing Colds
In addition to diet, one can also use special methods to protect the body during winter. For example, applying a Musk and Tiger Bone Plaster to the Yongquan acupoint (KI1) and changing it every 24 hours can help prevent colds.
Additionally, prepare a 6% solution of baking soda with cool boiled water or a 5% vinegar solution. Instill 2-3 drops into each nostril, or use a cotton swab to apply it to the nostrils, every 3 hours. Use a teapot or teacup, pour boiling water into it, and inhale the steam through the nostrils. Keep a comfortable distance that you can tolerate, until the steam stops, five times a day. This is also beneficial for preventing colds and rhinitis.