This fall I’ve been back to teaching and we’ve run some great classes first in Ireland, and then later for ASNY in New York City. It’s really great getting back to in-person classes. Our next European class is planned for February where we will be doing a look at Tung’s acupuncture for reproductive health and a look at Neijing and Nanjing treatment strategies in Tung. More details to come soon on those classes.
Right about now, here in the Northeastern United States fall is definitely underway. The leaves are slowly starting to change color and the evening temperatures are steadily dropping. This is right on time as yesterday, Tuesday October 8th, was the start of the Cold Dew (Han Lu 寒露) Seasonal Node. The smaller segments of Cold Dew are Hongyan lai bin 鴻雁來賓 (Swan Geese Come and Stay), Jue ru dashui wei ge 爵入 大水爲蛤 (Siskins Dive Into the Watery Abyss to Become Clams), Ju you huanghua 菊有黃華 (Chrysanthemums Display Yellow Flowers).
Characteristic of Cold Dew is the significant difference between day and night temperatures. For example, lately the daily highs in northern New Jersey have been hovering near 70 degrees, while evening temperatures are dropping to the 40s. That’s about a 30 degree temperature difference! This time of year people have a hard time dressing appropriately for the temperature because what we feel in the morning is not the same as what we feel in the afternoon. The best solution is layering so that one can adapt to the changing thermometer as the day progresses. This is especially important for the elderly, or for other people who, because of either constitution or illness, have diminished toleration for extremes of temperature.
Because of the gradually cooling temperatures, one of the recommendations for Cold Dew is to avoid overconsumption of cold foods, including for example raw vegetables, iced beverages, or foods eaten right out of the refrigerator. Overconsumption of cold foods, especially in patients with weak Spleen/Stomachs, easily leads to abdominal discomfort or diarrhea. These people should drink warm beverages including for example ginger tea (adding honey to protect against Autumn dryness).
For acupuncturists, this is the time of year to do direct moxa on Zu San Li ST36 for patients in order to warm the center. In my clinic I prefer direct Japanese style rice grain moxa, and I believe that clinically this is the most effective way to do moxibustion on Zu San Li. Alternately, direct moxa can be applied at Huo Fu Hai 33.07. If patients are particularly sensitive to exterior cold, or if they are prone to seasonal allergies and upper respiratory problems, then adopt the strategy of warming the surface. For this needle points such as Ling Gu 22.05 and Dai Bai 22.04, in combination with direct moxibustion at Da Zhui DU14.
One of my favorite things this time of year is apples! All sorts of varieties are now commonly available. According to Chinese medicine apples are sweet and sour and have a slightly cold nature. Therefore, regular consumption helps generate fluids, stop thirst, and moisten the Lungs. Since dryness is the seasonal characteristic of Autumn, these functions make apples great for this time of year. However, since apples are cold, as mentioned above, overconsumption of raw apples can lead to digestive upset for some people. Moderation is always the key.
Like apples, other foods that are slightly moistening or sour can be eaten during Cold Dew, but also like apples they should be eaten in moderation. Moistening and yin nourishing foods include Chinese red dates (da zao 大棗), walnuts, chestnuts, yams, peanuts, Chinese white wood ear mushrooms, and lily bulbs. Slightly sour foods include hawthorn, lemons, grapes, pomelos, grapefruits, star fruits, and other similar fruits.
Here is a traditional recipe for Cold Dew…
Cold Dew Congee 寒露粥
Ingredients:
100g Rice
30g Lily bulb 百合
20g Lotus seeds 蓮子
4-6 dried red dates 紅棗
10g Gingko nuts 銀杏
8-10 cups water
Directions:
Put all ingredients into a large pot, bring to rapid boil on high flame
As soon as boiling, reduce to medium and simmer for 40 minutes to 1 hour, until rice starts to break up and become oatmeal-like
Add sugar, or honey to taste
This recipe moistens the lungs, stops cough, clears the heart, quiets the shen. Being a congee it is also warming and supplementing for the middle jiao.
Additional Nourishing Life 養生 Practices for Cold Dew
Since I practice a lot of acupuncture I’m predisposed to liking Nourishing Life practices that work directly with the channels or acupuncture points. So, I’d like to offer some other ideas we can apply during this seasonal node.
Cold Dew is the segment of the year just after Autumn Equinox. It is a part of the time of year represented by the Xu (戌) Earthly Branch, and the phase Yin Soil (i.e., earth) as the transition period at the end of Autumn heading towards Winter. This is the time associated with the Arm Jueyin Pericardium channel as well as the fifth cervical vertebra.
One of the problems we come up against during Cold Dew is the decreasing temperatures, and especially the increasing gap between day and evening temperatures. Since cold is associated with the Water phase, even though Cold Dew is the Pericardium channel time, the Water phase channels (the Bladder and Kidney) are susceptible to problems. In particular, exposure to cold in the evening can cause stagnation in the Qi and Blood circulation of the upper back, leading to stiffness and tightness or pain. Legs can also be affected, likewise experiencing stiffness or pain. So, with all that in mind, here are some easy Nourishing Life practices for Cold Dew:
Rubbing the Bottom of the Feet: The bottom of the foot is home to the first point on the Kidney Channel, Yong Quan (湧泉穴). Yong Quan is located just behind the ball of the foot and sometimes it is known as the “Great Medicine” (大藥) at the bottom of the feet. Once or twice a day rub the bottom of the foot over the area of Yong Quan 100 times. This warms and stimulates the Kidney channel, and can be used to treat forgetfulness, insomnia, low back pain, and internal cold.
Soaking the Feet: Soaking the feet in the evening is another excellent way to warm the channels of the feet and legs, and it is a second method of working with Yong Quan. One of my common recommendations for Cold Dew is soaking specifically with Epsom salts. To do this, dissolve Epsom salts in hot water and soak feet each evening for 10-15 minutes. Like the previous method of rubbing the bottom of the feet, soaking warms and stimulates the Kidney channel, and can be used to treat forgetfulness, insomnia, and low back pain. For added therapeutic effect, Chinese herbal formulas can be added to foot soaks based on an individual’s pattern differentiation. For example, patients with Qi vacuity can soak with herbs such as Dang Shen, Huang Qi or Bai Zhu. Patients with Kidney vacuity low back pain or the like can soak with Du Zhong, Xu Duan, and Sang Ji Sheng.
Acupressure at Wei Zhong: Weather change and exposure to cold, as mentioned, can create stiffness in the back or legs. One of the master points for increasing Qi and blood circulation in the back and legs is Wei Zhong (委中穴; BL40), located at the back of the knees. While seated, press deeply into the point on both sides simultaneously, until a slightly sore or numb sensation is felt and hold for a few seconds. Release pressure (one press and release equals one stimulation). Stimulate 25-50 times in a sitting. Optionally, medicated liniment or medicated oils that warm the channels, expel cold, and move the Qi and blood can be used while pressing the point.
Fire Cupping the Upper Back: The last traditional recommendation I’ll offer for Cold Dew is the use of fire cups on the upper back. Fire cupping (火罐) can warm and expel cold, resolve the exterior, and course Qi and quicken blood in the channels. When done on the upper back it relieves stiffness in the muscles as well as prevents colds. However, after cupping, be sure not to leave the area exposed. Common points to cup include Jian Yu (肩髃穴; LI15), Jian Jing (肩井穴; GB21), and Tian Zong (天宗穴; SI13). Another area to cup is the back of the neck, as the fifth cervical vertebra is associated with Cold Dew. Just as with the previous recommendation, cupping can be done after the application of a medicated liniment or oil.
Stay warm, stay healthy, and eat lots of apples!