Health tips for winter

Written By Eve Harburg
Snow-covered woods with stream frozen over along banks

Winter is about conservation and storage. It is a time of rest. Plants wither, lakes and rivers freeze, and animals seek refuge from the cold. In the Chinese calendar, winter begins before the winter solstice; we discuss this in more detail here.

You can live in tune with winter by:

  • Going to bed earlier and waking up later

  • Avoiding overexertion

  • Wearing proper clothing in the cold

  • Consuming lamb, beef, poultry, duck, venison, prawns, oysters, red wine (in moderation and if you're 21 or older), grapes, legumes, leeks, black sesame seeds, chestnuts, walnuts, fennel, clove, and star anise

References Consulted

  • Kastner J. Chinese Nutrition Therapy: Dietetics in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). 1st ed. New York, NY: Thieme; 1994.

  • Ni M. The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine: A New Translation of the Neijing Suwen with Commentary. Boston, MA: Shambhala Publications; 1995.

Eve Harburg
Next

Grooving to the circadian rhythm with the Chinese medicine organ clock, part two