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