Health & Life

The Ancient’s Advice: As Autumn Arrives, Indulge in Three Delights, Partake in Three Libations, Embrace Three Tasks, and Eschew Three Forbidden Deeds to Ward Off Calamity

The ancient wisdom advises that as we usher in autumn, we ought to embrace a trio of culinary delights, libations, and rituals, while steering clear of three potential pitfalls to ward off misfortune and ailments.

Administrator

9 August, 2024

Three Delicious Dishes to Welcome Autumn

The first day of autumn, also known as ‘Liqiu’ in Chinese, marks the beginning of the season. It is a time when traditional practices such as “pasting the autumn fat” and “biting the autumn” are observed. As the amount of rainfall decreases and the weather turns drier, caring for your lungs and maintaining hydration become top priorities.

– Pork Ribs Stewed with Lotus Root and Radish: Radish, known for its high water content, helps combat dryness and provides various vitamins and nutrients. It can soothe stomach and intestinal issues thanks to its mustard oil content, which stimulates digestion. Radish is also a good source of fiber, especially beneficial for the elderly, as it prevents constipation.

Lotus Root and Pork Ribs Stew – A Nutritious Delicacy

Lotus root, a seasonal vegetable, helps tonify the spleen and stomach. Cooking pork ribs with lotus root and radish creates a delicious and nourishing dish.

– Snow Fungus Salad: Snow fungus has long been revered as a nutritious food, renowned for its ability to nourish the yin, moisten the lungs, and benefit the qi. It is an excellent choice during the dry autumn season. Snow fungus can be used to make soup, salads, or stir-fries. Dishes like snow fungus salad or stir-fried snow fungus are particularly suitable for autumn.

– Stir-fried Yam and Lotus Root: Yam helps strengthen the spleen and tonify the stomach, while also acting as a diuretic and eliminating accumulations. It has a cooling effect, moistens the lungs, and is highly beneficial for individuals affected by dryness. Yam, with its sweet taste, is considered nourishing without being fatty in traditional Chinese medicine. It contains mucilage, fiber, and enzymes, offering benefits for those with cardiovascular conditions.

Three Refreshing Drinks

– Honey Water: Honey, a staple in every household, has the ability to nourish the yin, moisten the lungs, and tonify deficiencies. Drinking a cup of honey water each day helps to care for and moisten the lungs. It is best to mix honey water at a temperature below 40°C and consume it in the morning after a warm drink.

Honey Water for Lung Health — Honey Water – A Natural Remedy for Lung Health

– Ginkgo and Pear Soup: Ginkgo nuts are rich in trace elements and amino acids, offering effective protection for your health. It is recommended to not consume ginkgo nuts raw or in excessive quantities. Remove the green germ inside the nut to avoid any adverse effects. Pears nourish the lungs, and when combined with ginkgo nuts in a soup, they create a delicious and lung-beneficial dish.

– Red Bean and Tangerine Peel Soup: Red beans are highly nutritious, aiding in improving intestinal motility and promoting weight loss while reducing edema. Tangerine peel has a bitter taste and a warm nature, aiding in digestion, regulating qi, and eliminating dampness. A bowl of red bean and tangerine peel soup during autumn not only tantalizes your taste buds but also helps with weight management!

Three Healthy Habits

– Reduce Consumption of Spicy and Chilled Foods: As autumn arrives, the weather starts to turn cooler. Eating too much chilled food can upset your stomach and lead to digestive issues. With the dry and chilly autumn climate, it’s best to cut down on spicy foods to avoid internal heat.

– Increase Physical Activity

– Remember “Spring Covers, Autumn Stirs”: This reminder highlights that during seasonal transitions, it is advisable to not add too many layers too quickly. Give your body time to adjust to the changing temperatures to reduce the risk of catching a cold.

Three Taboos

– Avoid Walking Barefoot: After ‘Liqiu’, the ground also becomes colder and damper. Walking barefoot can lead to cold feet and illness.

– Refrain from Consuming Chilled Foods: As the weather cools down during autumn, your body needs time to adjust. Avoid chilled foods to prevent stomach ailments and digestive issues.

– Don’t Sleep Without a Blanket: The human navel area houses an important acupoint called Shenque (CV8). During autumn, leaving your belly exposed can lead to digestive issues. When sleeping, keep your abdomen warm to retain yang energy within your body.

Frequently asked questions

The article mentions an ancient Chinese saying that offers advice on how to embrace the autumn season and ward off calamity. The advice includes indulging in three delights, partaking in three libations, embracing three tasks, and eschewing three forbidden deeds.

The three delights mentioned in the ancient advice are enjoying the fragrance of osmanthus flowers, tasting the sweetness of crab roe, and relishing the beauty of autumn leaves.

The three libations are drinking Chrysanthemum wine, savoring the taste of mature vinegar, and enjoying the sweetness of honey.

The three tasks mentioned in the ancient advice are cleaning and airing out the house, preparing and storing dried fruits and nuts, and taking time to exercise and build up one’s health.

The three forbidden deeds to be avoided during autumn are overindulging in alcohol, neglecting one’s health, and failing to prepare for the coming winter by not storing enough food and supplies.

By indulging in the three delights, partaking in the three libations, embracing the three tasks, and eschewing the three forbidden deeds, people can ensure they are making the most of the autumn season. This advice promotes a healthy and balanced lifestyle, encourages preparation for the coming winter, and helps to prevent potential health risks associated with the season.