Seasonal Node : Great Snow
Great Snow began on December 7th, and although snow didn’t arrive on this day - we have had some snow squalls and forecasted snow for the week of 12/14. Great Snow is the last Seasonal Node before Winter Solstice, and it represents the most Yin time of year. There is a finality to almost everything and a time to turn inward and slow down. The two weeks of Great Snow are the longest nights of the year, culminating with the Solstice after which days will slowly get longer again. The Material Manifestations for Great Snow are: “Spangled Drongos Cease to Sing, Tigers Begin to Mate, and Water Irises Grow.
The best way to support and protect your health in this period is to focus on warming yourself or as they say - warm supplementation, and at the same time avoid prolonged exposure to the cold and damp. The primary Classical Asian Medicine guideline is to “Nourish Yin”. One of the meanings of Yin refers to the body’s ability to store, and thereby regenerate its vitality. Yin means being able to be in a state of rest, quiet and solitude.
A wise investment is to get more sleep by getting to bed earlier, without screens in our faces, perhaps a good book, or music instead or a good session of breathing and stretching. Sleep is one of the best Chinese medical prescriptions for supplementing the Qi and strengthening the Kidney! Personally I find taking a short walk, stretching before and after, and also inhaling essential oils or having a bunch of fresh or dried herbs to facilitate sleep near my pillow allows me to drift off earlier than I even expect at times. Can also highly recommend a warm bath!
Another tool I use daily at this time of year are foot and hand baths. Their therapeutic value has a building quality which balances the body with the mind and also harmonizes the Heart and the Kidneys. It is also excellent for your legs, knees, wrists and elbows. You can add salts, oils, herbs, and best to have the water as warm as you can tolerate.
Medicated Wines are excellent this time of year. Alcohol itself is warm, acrid, and sweet by nature. It has the ability to warm and expel cold and supplement the Qi and Blood while also circulating them. So alcohol in moderation is both excellent for digestion during meals (wine) and also to warm and harmonize.
Foods appropriate for Great Snow include lamb, beef, chicken, venison, shrimp and mussels. In addition to these animal foods other excellent options are walnuts, almonds, or other nuts and warming spices such as ginger and cinnamon. Soups stews and congees are both warming and moistening. Sipping warm water or tea throughout the day is also an excellent recommendation to deter dehydration and keep our circulation moving freely. Root vegetables such as yams and turnips are traditionally served regularly as they provide much nourishment during this Yin Node. Keep in mind that balance is the key. Too many warming foods can create stagnation and heat in the digestive system. We want to gently clear and heat, open the Stomach, and descend Yang or energy to be able to store it - not burn it up.
One of my favorite recipes for this time of year is a traditional vegetarian one called, Garlic Chrysanthemum Greens. Here at the farm we grow Edible Chinese Chrysanthemums, in fact we had a huge harvest this year. We use the gorgeous white blossoms in tea, and the greens for this recipe below.
Ingredients:
Edible chrysanthemum green - 1/2 pound
1 small garlic bulb
Sesame oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Rinse chrysanthemum greens and chop into I inch pieces
Peel crush and then chop garlic
Bring a pot of salted water to boil, then blanch the green by dropping in the water for about 3 minutes and then drain.
Mix greens with chopped garlic and small amount of salt, pepper and sesame oil to taste and serve slightly warm or at room temperature.
This recipe loosens the center, rectifies Qi and disperses accumulated food and opens the Stomach.
Enjoy - stay warm - sleep well and have a peaceful Holiday Season!