"Autumn and winter nourish Yin" originates from "Su Wen · Four Qi Adjustments and Spiritual Cultivation". The four seasons of Yin and Yang are the foundation of all things. Therefore, the sages nurture Yang in spring and summer, and nourish Yin in autumn and winter, following the roots of all things and floating and sinking in the gate of growth. In essence, spring and summer should nourish Yang to promote growth, while autumn and winter should nourish Yin to store and preserve. For older people to achieve a state of "abundant righteous energy and resistance to pathogenic factors," they need to adapt to the changes of the four seasons: spring for birth, summer for growth, autumn for harvest, and winter for storage. How can older people achieve "autumn and winter nourish Yin"?
Diet Therapy: In autumn and winter, people's dietary habits tend to be warm and hot, with hot pot and other spicy foods being popular. Wearing thick clothes is essential for winter, but all of these can lead to the phenomenon of "Yin deficiency causing internal heat" and "internal heat flaring up", which can affect Yin nourishment and even damage Yin. Therefore, in autumn and winter, spicy food and alcohol should be avoided as much as possible, and more foods that moisten dryness and nourish Yin, such as tomatoes, hawthorn, and dried plums, should be consumed. Radishes are known to lower qi and benefit the intestines and stomach, which is in line with the laws of autumn and winter. Therefore, there is a saying, "Eat radishes in winter and ginger in summer, and you won't need a doctor's prescription." Radishes can be eaten more in autumn and winter. Additionally, some Yin-nourishing foods can be consumed for supplementation, such as autumn pears, honey, tremella, and lily. Under the guidance of a doctor, you can also make soups with Chinese herbs such as raw Rehmannia, cooked Rehmannia, Chinese yam, anemarrhena, white peony, sand ginseng, and dwarf lilyturf tuber.
Acupoint Application: In autumn and winter, Yin and cold qi prevail, and Yang qi is hidden. Qi and blood circulation becomes sluggish, and meridians lose their warmth and smoothness. This is the peak time for various geriatric diseases. Acupoint application, through the stimulation of warm and hot medicines on acupoints, warms the lung meridian and disperses hidden cold pathogens, thereby enhancing the body's Yang qi, improving cold resistance, and enhancing immune function. It has a good effect on cough, asthma, phlegm retention, and insomnia in older people, ensuring a smooth winter for them. The best time for acupoint application is during the "Three Fu" period in summer and the "Three Nine" period in winter. During the application, avoid consuming raw and cold, spicy, and greasy foods, and avoid intense exercise and sweating. If there is itching, burning, or stinging at the application site, remove the medicine patch immediately. It is important to note that acupoint application should be performed by professionals in a medical institution and should not be done blindly.
If older people experience cough and asthma, they can choose corresponding medicines to make a paste and apply it on acupoints such as Dazhui, Feishu, Tiantu, Shanzhong, Zhongfu, and Shenshu.
If older people suffer from insomnia, they can choose corresponding medicines to make a paste and apply it on acupoints such as Xinyu, Ganyu, Piyu, and Shenshu.
If older people have allergic rhinitis, they can choose corresponding medicines to make a paste and apply it on acupoints such as Dazhui, Feishu, Shenshu, Tiantu, Shanzhong, and Zusanli.
Cautious Daily Life: In autumn and winter, the air is dry, so older people should replenish water in a timely manner by drinking plenty of plain water. They can also drink honey water in the morning and evening to nourish Yin. In autumn, it is advisable to go to bed early and wake up early to adapt to the growth of Yin. In winter, it is recommended to go to bed early and wake up late to adapt to the storage of Yang. Going to bed early allows the body's Yang qi to smoothly enter the state of storage, avoiding the invasion of heavy night dew. Waking up early prevents excessive contraction of Yang qi. Waking up late can protect against cold and keep warm, all to comply with the characteristics of Yang qi storage in autumn and winter. The weather in autumn and winter is consistently cold and dry, which can easily lead to irritability. Poor emotions are very unfavorable for Yin nourishment. It is important to maintain a cheerful mood, avoid anger and excessive joy or sorrow. When feeling upset, it is helpful to chat and relax to eliminate negative emotions. During autumn and winter, gentle indoor exercises such as Qigong, yoga, and Tai Chi can be performed to regulate the body and mind and nourish Yin for self-protection.
In conclusion, for older people to smoothly pass through autumn and winter, they should adjust their lifestyle according to the characteristics of these seasons, strive to maintain a healthy and dynamic balance, and achieve the goals of disease prevention, health promotion, and longevity.
