Winter Solstice and Winter Tea

Winter Solstice and Winter Tea

December 21st is the shortest day of the year and with each day passing the daylight hours will increase!  

Solstice means sun standing still.  

Each year is split by the Winter Solstice in December and the Summer Solstice in June, the longest day of the year. 

Many cultures have celebrations around this time of year.  For example, in China has Dong Zhi celebrated with a feast.  The foods eaten depends on the region of China, for example, in Northern China they eat dumpling soup or in South China, they could eat red beans and rice.  

The Chinese consider the Winter Solstice the nadir of the yang energy.  In Chinese philosophy, there are two opposing energies: yin and yang.  The definition can get quite complex but simply stated one completes the other or is in opposition to the other: The moon: cold (yin) and The sun: warm (yang),  

“Being and non-being produce each other;

Difficult and easy complete each other;

Long and short contrast each other;

High and low distinguish each other;

Sound and voice harmonize each other;

Front and back follow each other.”

From Tao-te-Ching by Lao Tzu in The Web That Has No Weaver by Ted Kaptchuk O.M.D. 

Winter Tea Recipe

Drink warm winter tea to warm up the body from cold and good for common colds.

Ingredients:

1-ounce brown sugar 

½ ounce raw sliced ginger 

1-ounce red dates(smashed & open)

3 cups of water

Bring the ingredients to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes covered. Remove the ginger and dates.

Drink one to two cups daily.

Store the tea in the refrigerator and drink the tea warm.

Red dates can be found at Asian grocery stores.  

Let food be your medicine.

Ginger, onion, and garlic are good warm foods to eat in the winter months but also helpful to eat all year round.   All three can be eaten raw, cooked, or roasted and are also considered medicinal foods.  In most circumstances, Doug recommends eating these vegetables cooked. 

Ginger tea is great for fending off colds but ginger can also help with nausea and an upset stomach. Making ginger tea is very simple. We have the recipe here.  

Onions can help with colds, breathing problems and bacterial infections.  

Garlic can help shorten colds, reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels and strengthen bones.  I highlighted some of the benefits of each.  Even though all are good for your health, moderation is the best.  Overindulging can be counterproductive even with healthy foods.  

Enjoy December 21st.  Experience a holistic approach to your health with an experienced and licensed acupuncturist.   Give us a call at (919) 803-2424.