Eat More Beef and Mutton for Cold Hands and Feet
Eat More Beef and Mutton for Cold Hands and Feet
"Yang Qi Retention" Causes Cold Extremities
As autumn deepens and winter approaches, temperatures drop rapidly, and many people experience cold hands and feet.
Some believe this indicates "deficiency" and emphasize exercise and tonics. Consequently, many with cold extremities begin early-morning workouts and consume supplements blindly. Yet this contradicts TCM principles for winter health preservation.
In TCM theory, winter is a season when Yang Qi retreats inward—“Yang remains hidden below, corresponding to winter.” Hands and feet, being peripheral parts of the body relative to the trunk, are termed “four extremities” in TCM. In winter, “Yang Qi stays inward and does not reach the four extremities,” making cold hands and feet common.
Winter Exercise: Slow Running and Walking
Winter health preservation should follow nature’s principle of concealment. The core principle is “conserving Yin and protecting Yang.” Moderate tonifying, regulating Yang Qi, maintaining warmth, keeping hands and feet clean and dry, massaging palms and soles to improve microcirculation in peripheral vessels, thereby warming hands and feet. Mentally, strive for tranquility, control emotional fluctuations, maintain mental calmness, avoid agitation, allowing internal Yang Qi to remain concealed.
Regulating daily routines emphasizes going to bed early and rising late—“rise with the sun, rest with sunset”—to ensure adequate sleep, aiding Yang Qi concealment and Yin essence accumulation. Winter exercise should be selective: slow running, walking, qigong, tai chi, sword practice—avoiding excessive or intense activities. Sweating profusely “expels Yang Qi,” counterproductive to health. Wearing too little or low room temperature increases risk of colds and depletes Yang Qi; wearing too much or high room temperature leads to sweating, preventing Yang Qi concealment and facilitating invasion by cold pathogens. Thus, winter warmth should be moderate.
Avoid Uncontrolled Tonification
Diet should follow the ancient adage “nourish Yin in autumn and winter” and “do not disturb Yang.” As stated in "Yinshan Zhengyao," “In winter, the climate is cold; use millet, which has warming properties, to counteract cold.” That is, winter diets should avoid raw and cold foods but also refrain from overly stimulating or heating foods.
Therefore, consume nourishing, warming, high-energy foods suited to individual needs while eating plenty of fresh vegetables to prevent vitamin deficiency. However, note that even within winter, regional climates vary greatly—tonification methods differ accordingly. In northern regions with harsh winters, moderately consume warming foods like beef, mutton, dog meat; in southern regions with milder climates, opt for light, sweet-warm tonics such as chicken, duck, and fish; in dry areas, prefer moistening, juicy foods like fruits, vegetables, rock sugar. Additionally, tailor choices to individual constitution—avoid indiscriminate tonification, especially medicinal tonics, which require doctor guidance. Some misinterpret “winter tonification” without analysis, leading to dizziness, blurred vision, dry mouth, nosebleeds, etc.