We are into the Xiao Han (小寒) solar term (节气) starting from 5 Jan to 19 Jan 2025. Xiao Han is the 23rd solar term out of the entire 24.
Traditionally, temperatures during the Xiao Han solar term are typically the lowest of the year, often even colder than the next solar term, Da Han (大寒).
In recent years, I still remember 14 Jan 2018 (which was during the Xiao Han solar term) was one of the coolest days recorded in Singapore (about 21 degrees celsius). I’m looking forward to this year’s cooling days during this solar term!
As the saying goes, “人到小寒衣满身, 牛到大寒草满栏” — this means that people should wear more clothes (depending on where you are living) during this Xiao Han solar term because of the cold/cooling weather.
During Xiao Han, we should also increase the intake of the following foods that have a warm thermal nature or are black in color (for alignment with the kidneys during this solar term):
Chinese Chestnuts – Called 栗子 (li zi) in Chinese. Not only do chinese chestnuts strengthen kidney Qi, they also help to strengthen the spleen. Nowadays, ready-to-eat Chinese chestnut snacks are readily available, making them convenient to enjoy straight from the package.
Walnuts – Help to boost kidney Qi, as well as relieve back and knee pain. Walnuts are easily available and can be consumed as snacks.
Black Sesame – Black sesame can be used for relieving constipation on top of its kidney and liver-strengthening properties. An easy way to enjoy black sesame is by spreading black sesame paste on bread for breakfast.
Deer Meat – Deer meat has a strong property of strengthening the kidney Yang energy (肾阳), making it an excellent dietary addition for people with cold palms and feet due to Yang deficiency in the kidneys (regardless of the solar term).
General Wellness Recommendation
As we are possibly into the coldest solar term of the year, I highly recommend that you keep your feet warm by wearing socks to sleep. This will make your body more resistant to the environmental chill Qi (寒邪).
For people who have running nose (or sinus) almost every morning, you may want to try putting on a fabric mask before you head out for work in the morning. By keeping the air you breathe warm, it can help to alleviate your running nose.
Remember to keep yourself warm by wearing more clothes especially if you know that you will be outdoors or in a cold environment most of the time.
I hope you find this information useful!