This year, Oct 8 was the fifth Chinese solar term in autumn, it is known in Chinese as “Hanlu” (meaning cold dew). TCM practitioners believe that after Hanlu, the weather becomes significantly colder. It leads to poor blood circulation, common respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, arthralgia, menstrual pain, and headaches. Chinese people are recommended to take more foot baths, go hiking, and eat more food which activates muscles and joints.
Huang Yincheng, director of Taiwan’s Doctor Cheng Clinic, said that there is an old saying, “protect ourselves against cold when Hanlu arrives.” The drop in temperature leads to poor blood circulation, which affects the trachea and cardiovascular vessels.
Common diseases during the Hanlu include allergic rhinitis and respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. And children should pay attention to chronic bronchitis, the elderly should also pay attention to pneumonia and stroke.
Huang pointed out that the ancient books mentioned that the combination of wind, chill, and dampness will cause pain and numbness in bones and joints. In the cold season, arthralgia attacks easily and may cause stiff legs, lack of strength, knee-joint pain, backache, frozen shoulder, and even a stiff neck.
He also pointed out that the liver meridian in the twelve meridians ascends from the acupuncture points on the soles of the two feet and then passes through the reproductive system. If people do not protect themselves from cold weather on the lower half of the body, the liver meridian can easily become cold.
If a women’s liver meridian and uterus get cold, the color of their menstrual blood will become darker, and they will have blood clots, menstrual pain, and headache.
3 Methods to Exercise the Bones and Invigorate the Blood in Late Autumn
1. Hot foot bath
Ancient books record that “Feet should not be exposed during Hanlu, Hot foot baths are better than taking supplements.” Huang pointed out that a simple hot foot bath can already improve blood circulation and unblock meridians.
Zeng Guofan, a famous minister in the late Qing Dynasty of China, was very busy handling state affairs. But he still insisted on two things: get up early every day, and take a foot bath.
Huang suggested that you can add a little rice wine, ginger, or ginger slices when you soak your feet to make the blood circulation better.
2. Hiking
The weather in autumn is cool and suitable for hiking. Huang also pointed out that hiking, walking on stone steps, and walking on trails can promote blood circulation and make muscles and joints more flexible.
3. Diet
In terms of diet, you can consume foods that make muscles and joints more flexible. Papaya, loofah, and leeks are all foods that are suitable for Hanlu.