We are into the Dong Zhi (冬至) solar term (节气) starting from 21 Dec to 5 Jan 2025. Dong Zhi is the 22nd solar term out of the entire 24.
Of all the 24 solar terms, perhaps people are most familiar with the Dong Zhi solar term as it is popularly associated with sweet dumplings (汤圆).
When I was a child, I always looked forward to Dong Zhi because I loved to eat sweet dumplings and Dong Zhi was the only time we would eat them.
The dietary direction during the Dong Zhi solar term is 温肾阳、暖脾阳—it means boosting the Yang energy of the kidneys and the spleen.
So do your best to avoid consuming cold drinks as it is a sure way to hurt your spleen Yang (脾阳) energy.
Unless you are living in a cold climate, there’s no need to consume mutton soup to boost your kidney Yang (肾阳) energy during this solar term.
Some of the suitable foods (and a fruit) that you can eat during Dong Zhi solar term are:
Chinese Chestnut – Known as 栗子. Not only does it strengthen kidney Qi, it also helps to strengthen the spleen. Nowadays there are convenient Chinese chestnut snacks available that are ready to eat straight from the packaging.
Walnuts – Walnuts help to boost kidney Qi and relieve back and knee pain. Walnuts are easily available and can be consumed as snacks.
Cherry – Most people do not know that cherry actually helps to strengthen kidney and spleen Yang energy, thus making it an ideal fruit to be consumed during this and the next two solar terms.
If you also have the habit of eating sweet dumplings during Dong Zhi, perhaps you can choose to eat sweet dumplings (with black sesame filling). It has the following benefits:
Glutinous Rice – Most sweet dumplings are made of glutinous rice and its thermal nature is warm. Glutinous rice can strengthen spleen Yang energy so it is ideal to be consumed during this solar term for the benefit of our spleen.
Black Sesame – Although most black sesame filling found in commercial sweet dumplings are too sweet and not 100% pure black sesame, you can still get some benefits of black sesame (liver, spleen and kidney strengthening). Of course, you can choose to make your own sweet dumplings using 100% pure black sesame powder for maximum benefits!
General Wellness Recommendation
There is a tradition where children will give socks to the elderly as a gift during the Dong Zhi solar term. The purpose is to remind the elderly to keep themselves warm, especially during sleep.
There is a saying goes 寒从脚下生—it means that the cold environment Qi (that can make a person sick) can enter the body through the feet. Thus, it is important to keep our feet warm when we sleep during this and the next few solar terms.
You might need some time to get used to wearing socks to sleep if you do not have such a habit. But it is a very good way of helping your body to strengthen its immunity for the long term. Do give it a try!