Nourishing the Body During The Major Snow (Dàxuě): Warming Foods for the Deep Winter Season

Kit Li

Today, December 7th, marks Dàxuě (1) in the Chinese lunar calendar - the Major Snow (Dàxuě) solar term.

The Major Snow solar term marks the depth of winter, when Yang energy turns inward and becomes concealed. Nature enters a quiet, cold state, and the body follows by drawing its Yang energy into the Kidney system. Wellness during this period centres on nourishing Yin, protecting Yang, and supporting the body’s natural need for conservation.

As temperatures drop, often with pronounced differences between morning, noon, and night, those with less flexible blood vessels may experience abnormal constriction and dilation. This can lead to fluctuations in blood pressure, headaches, dizziness, coronary discomfort, facial numbness, or, in severe cases, stroke. During Major Snow, keeping the meridians warm and the circulation steady becomes especially important.

This season naturally calls for warming, nourishing soups. Yin-enriching and Qi-tonifying options such as rice-wine red-date chicken soup help warm the stomach and replenish the blood. Simple preparations like Sweet Potato Ginger Syrup are also ideal: sweet potato strengthens the stomach’s warmth, while ginger dispels cold, making it a comforting and supportive choice for the winter months.

I) Rice Wine Red Date Chicken Soup: for warming, nourishing blood and supporting the circulation

Ingredients (2–3 servings)

• 500–700 g chicken pieces
• 8 pitted red dates
• 2-3 slices ginger
• 1–2 tbsp goji berries (optional)
• 150–200 ml rice wine (Shaoxing or sweet rice wine)
• 1–1.5 L water
• Salt to taste

Pressure Cooker Method:

• Boil the chicken briefly for 1–2 minutes to remove impurities, then rinse.
• Add chicken, red dates, and ginger to the pressure cooker. Pour in the water.
• Cook on high setting for 25 minutes.
• When it’s done, open the lid, pour in the rice wine, and simmer on normal heat for 5–10 minutes to preserve aroma and warming properties.
• Add salt to taste. Add goji berries in the last 3–5 minutes if using.  
• Enjoy hot for optimal warming and circulation-supporting effects. 

Caution:

This formula can intensify internal heat.

1) Not suitable for people with “heat” or inflammation

Because this soup is warm-to-hot in nature (chicken + ginger + rice wine + red dates), avoid it if you have:

• sore throat
• mouth ulcers
• acne flare-ups
• constipation with heat
• fever or infection
• very red tongue, strong thirst

2) Avoid when you have a cold/flu with fever: even if you feel weak, the alcohol and warming herbs can trap the pathogen and worsen symptoms.

3) Not ideal for pregnancy (first trimester): small amounts of rice wine in postpartum tonics are traditional, but during early pregnancy, alcohol and warming blood-moving foods are avoided.  Later stages: some women use it, but it’s best to check individually.

4) Not suitable for hypertension that spikes with heat:

the warming nature might increase: facial flushing, irritability, tension headaches

5) mindful if you are Yin-deficient with heat signs

Symptoms: night sweats, hot palms and soles, dry throat at night.  Warming alcohol and ginger can make these worse.

6) Alcohol sensitivity / medication interactions

Even though the alcohol evaporates partly, individuals with: 

• alcohol intolerance
• liver issues
• certain medications (especially sedatives or antibiotics)

should use little or no rice wine.

7) Digestive sensitivity

If your stomach is easily irritated by ginger or alcohol, reduce ginger slices and simmer the wine longer.

II) Sweet Potato Ginger Soup: for warming, soothing the Stomach, dispelling cold

Ingredients (2 servings)

• 1 medium sweet potato
• 5–6 slices fresh ginger
• 500–600 ml water
• 1–2 rock sugar (optional)

Cooking Method

• Peel and cut into small cubes for quicker cooking.
• Add the sweet potato cubes and ginger slices to a pot with the water.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes, until the sweet potato softens.
• Add rock sugar and let it dissolve.
• Best enjoyed hot to support stomach warmth and dispel winter chill.

Caution:

This soup is simpler and milder, but still warming. Here’s what to note:

1)    Not suitable for “heat in the Stomach”

Avoid if you experience: acid reflux that worsens with heat, burning stomach pain, mouth ulcers, excessive thirst.  Ginger may aggravate these.

     2)  Avoid if you have diarrhoea due to heat or infection: this soup warms the middle, which is helpful for cold-type diarrhoea, but not for: acute gastroenteritis , food poisoning, diarrhoea with fever.  Warming foods can worsen these patterns.

       

      3)    Blood sugar consideration: sweet potato and rock sugar turn into higher glycaemic impact.  Avoid large portions if you have: insulin resistance, diabetes, reactive hypoglycaemia

        

     4)    Not ideal for people with chronic heat or strong Yang constitution: if you naturally run hot, get red easily, or sweat easily, daily ginger-heavy recipes can feel too stimulating.

    5) Avoid too late at night: ginger can be slightly stimulating; some people become alert instead of relaxed.

As Major Snow brings the coldest part of winter, warming and nourishing foods become essential for staying balanced. Whether you choose the rich Rice wine red date Chicken Soup or the gentle Sweet Potato Ginger Soup, these dishes help protect Yang and warm the Stomach through Winter's quiet, inward-turning days.

References: 

1) The Major Snow (Dàxuě): 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daxue_%28solar_term%29?utm_source

Official Announcement: Pre-Publication Release of Discover the Science Behind Traditional Chinese Medicine Dec2025

Kit Li

I’m pleased to share that today I’ve received the pre-publication copy of Dr. TieJun Tang’s first book, Discover the Science behind Traditional Chinese Medicine, published by Maple Publishers.

The past nine months, from April to now, have been both intense and rewarding. During this time, I’ve supported Dr. Tang through liaison and coordination with Maple Publishers, alongside editing and proofreading all 12 chapters, totalling approximately 300 pages.

My thanks go to Dr. Tang for his confidence in my work, and to Ms. Isha and her team at Maple Publishers for their professionalism and collaboration. I am also grateful to all who have supported me during this project.

This book encapsulates Dr. Tang’s 40 years of clinical experience in Traditional Chinese Medicine, drawn from his long-standing practice in China and in the UK. It offers an insightful and comprehensive look into the scientific foundations behind TCM as understood through decades of practice.

The official publication date is set for January 2026 in the UK. The book will be available on Amazon and will be archived by the British Library (大英图书馆), the Bodleian Library at the University of Oxford (牛津大学图书馆), the Cambridge University Library (剑桥大学图书馆), the National Library of Scotland (苏格兰国家图书馆), the Library of Trinity College Dublin (都柏林圣三一学院图书馆), and the National Library of Wales (和威尔士国家图书馆).

Please keep an eye on my blog, updates will follow soon.

A thank you note from Dr. Tang:

'I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to Professor Fan Daiming, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and former President of the Fourth Military Medical University, and to Professor Ma Yuling, a distinguished expert in Chinese herbal medicine research at the University of Oxford, for writing the forewords for this book and for their high praise.

This book represents the culmination of my more than forty years of clinical experience both in China and abroad. It incorporates many clinical insights from my mentor, Professor Deng Tietao. Focusing on the treatment of dozens of common diseases in the UK, the book explains the scientific basis and clinical applications of Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture. Using language accessible to most Western readers and scientific concepts they can readily understand, it illustrates the mechanisms through which Chinese medicine and acupuncture treat illness. It is suitable for doctors of both Chinese and Western medicine, as well as for patients.

My sincere gratitude goes to all my teachers in both Chinese and Western medicine, to the five alma maters that nurtured me, and to all the friends and colleagues who have supported and encouraged me.'

TCM Management of Chronic Prostatitis: A Case Study

Kit Li

Prostatitis (1) symptoms include pain in the pelvic area, lower back, testicles, or penis, painful or difficult urination, and pain during ejaculation.  Some people experience flue-like symptoms such as fever and chills, particularly with acute prostatitis.  Chronic prostatitis symptoms often develop slowly and can come and go.

Sign and symptoms:

• Pain or a burning sensation when urinating
• Difficulty starting the urine steam or a weak/interrupted stream
• Needling to urinate often, especially at night (nocturia)
• Feeling a sudden need to urinate (urgency)
• Blood in urine
• A weak or slow urine stream 

Pain and discomfort:

• Pain in the lower back, groin, or lower abdomen
• Pain in the penis or testicles
• Pain with bowel movements or ejaculation
• A feeling of pressure in the rectal area

Other symptoms:

• Fever and chills (more common with acute prostatitis)
• Discharge from the urethra
• Erectile dysfunction or a reduced sex drive
• Blood in the semen
• Feeling generally unwell, tired, or experiencing muscle aches

How is Prostatitis Addressed in TCM?

Case Study:

Mr. S, Male, 50+ years old

This is his first visit to our clinic.  He has been experiencing prostatitis symptoms since July. These include urinary urgency and frequency, along with a burning sensation and a dull, aching pain in the perineal region. He reports no fever. He previously consulted his local GP, where he was diagnosed with a chronic bacterial condition and completed a course of antibiotics. Despite this, his symptoms have continued, therefore he has been so stressful.

Treatment Principles:

• Soothe Liver Qi stagnation
• Strengthen Kidney deficiency
• Clear damp-heat from the Lower Jiao

Acupoints:

Point selections for this case focus on addressing the underlying patterns identified in the assessment.

• soothe Liver-Qi stagnation, points such as LV-3 may be included.
• support Kidney deficiency, points like KI-3 can be considered.
• clearing damp-heat in the lower-jiao, points commonly used for regulating fluids and transforming phlegm, such as KI-7, SP-6, and ST-40.
• improve urinary systems and Kidneys' functions, points like Baliao (八髎).

Additional points along the Ren Mai may be selected to regulate the lower abdomen, with Dao-qi techniques; Scalp acupuncture areas, such as Foot-Motor-Sensory Area (FMSA) and Spirit-Emotions Area (SEA), to support symptom relief and overall regulation.

Chinese Herbal Medicine:

In TCM, this refers to Urinary difficulty, frequency, burning or painful urination caused by patterns such as Damp-Heat, Qi-Stagnation, Blood Stasis or Deficiency, we also called 'Lin Zheng' （Stranguria, 淋证）

Modified Ba Zhen San (八正散)(2): Clears heat and damp-heat from the Lower Jiao, promotes urination, relieves painful urinary dysfunction, commonly used for acute damp-heat presentations with symptoms such as burning urination, or scanty urine, urgency, or discomfort in the lower abdomen.

• Chē Qián Zǐ (Plantago Seed / Plantain Seed, 車前子)
• Biǎn Xù (Knotgrass Herb, 扁蓄)
• Qú Mài (Dianthus / Fringed Pink Herb, 瞿麦)....etc

Modified Er Miao San (二妙散)(3): Clears damp-heat, drains heat and reduces swelling and addresses heaviness, soreness, and damp-heat obstruction in the lower body.  This classical base formula is specially for damp-heat affecting the lower limbs, lower-jiao, or genitourinary region, presenting with heaviness, warmth, or discomfort.  

• Huáng Bǎi (Phellodendron Bark, 黄柏)
• Cāng Zhú (Atractylodes Rhizome, 苍术)

We combined the above formulas with several additional key ingredients tailored to his condition.  After taking one week of decoctions, his burning and scanty urination improved significantly.  He is also sleeping better and reports feeling more relaxed overall.  A follow-up visit is recommended to monitor progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed.

References:

1) Prostatitis: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostatitis/

2) The effects and prospects of the integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine on andrology in China: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3739612/

3) Elucidation of the anti-inflammatory mechanism of Er Miao San by integrative approach of network pharmacology and experimental verification: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34838694/