The Minor Snow solar term has arrived. In the cold regions of the north, snowfall is now a normal phenomenon. Health principles tell us to go to bed early and wake up late, but it’s simply impossible to follow. Anyway, winter is here—let’s have a warm cup of tea together!

Early Winter

Southern Song / Lu You

In all my life, my verses have captured fleeting light, I love most the early winter frost on every roof at night. The fading maple leaves grow finer to the eye, Plum blossoms, yet to bloom, already scent the sky. In my late years, what harm is there to step aside? With days so short, leisure lets my spirit glide. And better still, my little boy shares this delight, Facing the window, we paint in red and yellow light.

Minor Snow, when the sun reaches 240 degrees of celestial longitude. Minor Snow is a solar term that reflects changes in precipitation. According to the “Collection of the Seventy-Two Phenomena of the Moon”: “In the middle of the tenth month, rain is condensed by the cold and turns into snow. ‘Minor’ means it has not yet become abundant.” This means that after mid-autumn (lunar tenth month), rain turns to snow due to the cold, but the snowfall is still light. The “Garden of Fragrance” says: “When Minor Snow arrives, the air is cold and snow is about to fall, but the ground is not yet severely cold, so the snow is not heavy.”

Seasonal Characteristics

During this period, the weather gradually turns cold, with occasional light snow and frequent strong cold air activities such as cold waves. The Minor Snow phase is colder than the early winter phase. By the time of Minor Snow, it means that snow will fall in North China. Cold air causes temperatures in most northern areas to gradually drop below 0°C.

The average first snowfall period in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River roughly coincides with the Minor Snow solar term. Although snow begins to fall, it is usually light and melts during the day while freezing at night. If the cold air is strong and warm, moist air is active, heavy snow may occur. The northern parts of the southern region begin to enter winter. “The lotus has lost its umbrella leaves, the chrysanthemum still stands proud on its frosty branch,” presenting an early winter scene.

Around Minor Snow, yang energy rises and yin energy descends, yin and yang do not interact, and all things lose their vitality. Therefore, trees wither and some animals enter hibernation. People also feel less energetic, unlike the comfortable feeling of spring when yin and yang interact.

Three Phenomena of Minor Snow

In ancient China, Minor Snow was divided into three phenomena: First, the rainbow hides and disappears; second, the heavenly qi rises; third, the world becomes blocked and forms winter. The ancients believed that rainbows appear because of the interaction of yin and yang qi between heaven and earth. At this time, yin qi is abundant and yang qi is hidden, so heaven and earth do not interact, thus “the rainbow hides and disappears.” “Heavenly qi rises” means that yang qi in the sky rises while yin qi on earth descends, yin and yang do not interact, and all things lose their vitality. Due to the cold weather, the movement and wandering of all things’ qi almost cease, so the third phenomenon is called “blocked and forms winter.”

Clothing, Food, Housing, and Activity

Overall, the health principles around Minor Snow are: go to bed early, wake up late, and keep warm. As the weather gradually turns cold and sunlight decreases, people must exercise more and get more sun exposure to maintain smooth blood and qi circulation.

In winter, strong winds are common, and together with reduced sunlight and cold, it’s easy to feel depressed or pessimistic. In daily life, people should participate in outdoor activities and communicate more with friends and family.

Regarding diet, winter foods tend to be warming and nourishing, which can easily generate internal heat. Therefore, in winter, it’s necessary to nourish yin appropriately by eating more vegetables and fruits to nourish yin and clear heat. Foods suitable around Minor Snow include: fruits—kiwi, oranges, bananas; vegetables—Chinese yam, asparagus, cabbage, white radish; poultry—chicken; meat—lamb, beef; aquatic products—fish, shrimp, loach; dried fruits—chestnuts, walnuts, ginkgo, cashews; beverages—milk, coffee; medicinal herbs—deer antler.

Recommended Tea Drinks

Honey Lemon Tea

Fresh honey can moisturize and nourish the skin, making it smooth, radiant, and elastic. It also boosts immunity, promotes longevity, improves sleep, and protects the liver. Lemon is a vitamin-rich fruit containing vitamins C, B1, B2, etc. Lemon contains high amounts of citric acid, which not only promotes gastric juice secretion and aids digestion but also neutralizes alkalinity, preventing pigmentation and whitening the skin.

Black Tea

Black tea is a warming tea, ideal for warming the stomach in winter. Honey lemon black tea is sweet, sour, and neutral in nature, with effects of generating fluids, strengthening the spleen, and resolving phlegm to stop coughing. It can be used to treat colds, coughs with phlegm, constipation, chronic pharyngitis, chronic bronchitis, dry mouth and throat, and other conditions.

Goji Berry and Red Date Tea

Red dates are warm in nature and sweet in taste, tonifying the middle jiao and boosting qi, nourishing blood and calming the mind. Goji berries are sweet and neutral in nature, nourishing the liver and kidneys, brightening the eyes, and relieving fatigue. Combining the two not only makes the tea delicious and nutritious but also improves one’s complexion. Note: People with excessive dampness and heat should not eat red dates; they can use goji berries alone or substitute red dates with black tea to achieve similar effects of brightening the eyes, nourishing the liver, benefiting blood, and fighting fatigue. Red dates should be pitted to avoid excessive heatiness and can be consumed regularly. If the taste is too mild, an appropriate amount of rock sugar or honey can be added.