Chinese people do not want their bodies to get cold. That much is obvious from the never-ending advice doled out by concerned elderly strangers about how insufficiently dressed I or my child is, when out and about in chilly weather. I generally nod politely and smile while they give their unsolicited advice until they pass by. But I got curious about these Chinese customs, and as the temperature drops each passing day, I lean more and more towards trying them out for myself.
Neck, tummy, hips, and ankles
Forget heads, shoulders, knees, and toes. The new all-important four body parts worth protecting from the cold are your neck, tummy, hips (including buttocks), and ankles. These are the areas of the body that the Chinese traditionally believe are most vulnerable to allowing cold into the body. Never mind if your fingers and toes are freezing, cover up that belly and bottom! This explains why I see so many kids pyjamas that have a high waistband, ensuring that the top doesn’t ride up as the child tosses through the night, leaving the stomach exposed to the elements.
Pear water, ginger water, and ginger…cola?
According to Chinese customs, the pear fruit is good for the health of your throat and lungs. However, just eating the fruit itself isn’t encouraged during colder months. You first need to slice up the pear and boil it, then drink the soup and softened fruit. Often, they add rock sugar to make it more palatable. The same goes for ginger water, which can spice things up a bit, though that tends to be sweetened with honey. I personally recommend manuka honey if you can find a trusted brand here. Local honey is also a great alternative that can aid allergies as well. I’ve bought honey from this local supplier and found it to be reasonably priced and tasty.
Locals who grew up in the 00s may also swear by this ginger and Coke (姜丝可乐 jiangsikele) childhood recipe, which combines sliced ginger with Coca Cola, after boiling the latter. That gets rid of the carbonation, but leaves the sweet taste of the sugary beverage, while ensuring it still warms your insides.
Soaking your feet in…ginger water!
You’re probably already familiar with the concept of soaking your feet in hot water when it’s cold outside. But the Chinese go one step further and put slices of ginger into the water to turn up the heat, literally, since ginger is a spice after all. In Southeast Asia where I grew up, my parents used to rub slices of ginger on their bare feet and even wear socks to secure them in place while they slept. My mother swore that’s how she staved off colds and coughs when she felt the early onset of either. If you’re going to try this, I recommend using your least favorite pair of socks as I’m pretty sure you’ll never get the smell out.
Do you have any curious health customs from your home country? Share them with us in the comments below!
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Images: Unsplash
