December 7th, 2011. "Heavy Snow", the 3rd small winter season arrives

     In 2011, the season of "Heavy Snow" arrives on December 7th, same as last year. Celestial longitude: 255 degree. For some of the seasonal information please read this article from last year.
     
      As the outside temperature gets lower, we naturally wear more to keep us warm, but meanwhile, we also make the indoor temperature much higher. This can cause our body “fired-up”, in TCM this means symptoms like dry mouth, oral gum, skin breakout, constipation and sore throat. These are all caused by the harmful heat, but in TCM this heat is categorized differently as “excessive-heat” and “weak-heat”.

      “Excessive-heat” is the result of our energy loses its balance because of too much Yang energy, whereas “weak-heat” is the result of our energy loses its balance because of not enough Yin energy. Apparently, since the cause is different, they need to be treated differently. Usually if you feel very weak and tired while you are having the “fire” symptoms, you have the “weak-heat”. In that case, follow the rules of nourishing the Yin energy. For both kinds of “fire”, the same rule is to eat less or no hot and spicy food. White radish and Chinese cabbage (napa) are the ideal food to take.

       Drinking water is another essential and effective way to nourishing the Yin energy and reducing the “fire” in the body. Because every individual is different, there should not be a fixed amount of water we have to drink each day. But besides the water you drink when you are thirsty, it is recommended to drink some water during these time periods of the day particularly:

      1. When you wake up, for moisturizing the intestine.
      2. Around 5pm, for nourishing the kidneys Yin energy. 
      3. Around 9pm, for nourishing the heart Yin energy.

     I have mentioned and recommended white radish many times, here are just some information of why it is the great choice for this season:

1. White radish contains great amount of Vitamin C, it will help us to remove the body “waste” and improve the metabolism. It also contains lots of enzyme that absorbs the starch, helps with digestion and prevents stomachache and ulcer.
2. Radish has the natural spicy taste and natural anti-inflammatory function. Radish juice and its smell can help with sinus. Simply dip a Q-tip or a small cotton ball into the radish juice and put it inside of your nose for 5 minutes, 2-3 times per day.
3. For those who are going to celebrate the holiday with lots alcohol, radish is also one of the best food remedy for treating hangover. Peel the skin and eat it raw is the way.
4. Radish skin is good “pain killer”. For those who has joint or muscle pain, you can gather the radish skin then wrap them with a large piece of gauze, heat it up then place them at where your pain is.

      This is also the season when we start to get some strong wind. Two major diseases that usually related to the wind in some ways are rubella and urticaria. Although they are caused by different reason but they are both contagious and in a way connected with wind. Therefore, not only make sure you are dressed warm enough, but also “wind-proof” enough. Neck is the area where often got overlooked. A nice and warm scarf is just as important as anything else that keeps you warm. Many respiratory issues often start from the throat area. Use a long scarf to cover the neck, front and back of the chest area, where the lungs are, as well.