Seasonal Wellness Tips for Dong Zhi - Winter Solstice

Dong Zhi is the 22nd of the 24 two-week solar terms that make up the year according to the ancient Chinese calendar. It falls on the 21st, 22nd, or 23rd of December each year.

Dong Zhi is the earliest recorded of all 24 solar terms. It was first mentioned around 2500 years ago, during the Spring and Autumn period of Chinese history. However, it seems that humans may have been aware of the Winter Solstice far earlier than that.

In 1987, archeologists unearthed several artefacts at the 5000-year-old Lingjiatan site in Anhui Province, Eastern China. Among them was a jade table carved with eight arrows, thought to represent the compass points, and four arrows thought to represent the solstices and equinoxes. These are surrounded by a series of holes, thought to correspond to the rising and setting positions of the sun on these significant days.

If theories about this tablet are correct, it could be one of the oldest date-counting devices still in existence today. Interestingly, it would have been created at around the same time as the first monument was built at Stonehenge.

Many cultures around the world still mark the Winter Solstice, although in the west, the date of our main midwinter feast has been shifted back a few days by Christianity. It feels as if it has always been important to gather together and celebrate during the darkest days of the year.

Here are my top tips for staying healthy throughout Dong Zhi and the solstice season.

Nourish Yang Qi

In the Northern Hemisphere, Dong Zhi marks the shortest day and longest night of the year, meaning yin qi is at its peak. Following the solstice, the days gradually begin to lengthen, signifying the steady return of yang.

However, as the Earth has already lost most of its accumulated heat and the sun is still low in the sky, the coldest days of the year are still to come. Therefore, it is crucial to nourish our bodies' yang qi at this pivotal time.

This is particularly important for yang-deficient individuals. Symptoms include aversion to cold, cold hands and feet, copious clear nasal mucus, frequent urination, and general fatigue. Yang-deficiency usually occurs due to long-term imbalance between work and rest, lack of physical activity, reduced Heart and Lung function, or chronic illness.

One way to boost yang qi is to engage in regular, moderate exercise to warm the body. We can also increase our intake of yang-nourishing foods, such as:

• Seafood

• Lamb, mutton, or goat

• Quinoa

• Chestnuts

• Pistachios

• Walnuts

• Cinnamon

• Dried ginger

• Nutmeg

• Rosemary

• Star anise

• Thyme

Support Circulation

Cold weather affects the circulatory system. Blood vessels constrict, moving away from the body's surface to retain warmth and increasing blood pressure in the process. Blood also thickens at low temperatures, increasing clotting speed.

These factors can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes in susceptible people, including older adults and those with pre-existing cardiovascular disorders. Therefore, it is important to support our circulation at this time of year.

One simple way to do this is by regularly eating carrot and onion soup.

Carrots are rich in carotenoids, which help to prevent cardiovascular disease and enhance immunity. In Chinese medicine terms, they act as a qi tonic and promote qi circulation.

Meanwhile, onions contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds called organosulfurs and are known for their cardioprotective properties. In Chinese medicine terms, their warmth and pungency promotes the circulation of both qi and Blood.

Of course, if you suffer from high blood pressure or atherosclerosis, it is important to receive proper medical care. But this soup could be a beneficial addition to your diet.

Prepare to Overindulge

The festive season is often a time of excess, and while there is nothing wrong with treating ourselves, overindulgence in rich food and alcohol can leave us feeling worse for wear.

One way to counter this is by drinking herbal tea. There are many different herbs that can soothe an overworked digestive system, but one you might not have thought of is hawthorn.

In China, hawthorn is a common addition to food and beverages and is used to improve digestion, particularly the digestion of fats. It also has liver-protective properties, making it a good all-rounder for the festive season.

Chinese hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida) is quite different from European Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna). Its fruits are much bigger and paler with a speckled appearance. However, they contain many of the same bioactive compounds and have similar effects.

Hawthorn is generally considered safe, but as always, I recommend consulting a healthcare professional before regular use. Like any healing herb, it is important to ensure it is suitable for you.

For more personalised seasonal wellbeing advice, you can book a holistic health coaching session via the contact page.

References

• 买雯婷 (2011) 第一养生药膳 - Tangmark Publishing and Distribution, Beijing

• Leggett, D. (2005) Helping Ourselves (second edition) - Meridian Press, Totnes

• Liu YZ, Wang ZM, Zhang JZ (2015) Dietary Chinese Herbs - Springer-Verlag, Wien