The Double Nine (Chongyang Festival) is Double Healthy

The Chongyang Festival has this ancient legend: During the East Han Dynasty, there was a demon living in the Ruhe River. When it showed up, people got sick and died. People living around the Ruhe River were ravaged by the plague and cholera. A man named Huan Jing whose parents died from the plague also nearly died. Huan Jing heard about an Immortal who lived to the East so he took a long journey to find the Immortal, probably an herbal doctor/magician. He taught Huan Jing magic arts so he could kill the devil of the plague who lived in the river.

The Immortal told Huan Jing that the plague would return on the ninth day of the ninth month. He told Huan Jing to go back to kill it. When Huan Jing returned home to the river, he asked the whole community to go to the mountains with a fragrant Zhuyu tree branch (dogwood) and a glass of chrysanthemum wine. When the devil of the plague emerged from the river water, it became dizzy from the scent of the Zhuyu and the chrysanthemum. Then Huan Jing took a sword and killed the devil of the plague. Since then, climbing mountains, drinking Chrysanthemum tea and wine has become a Chinese custom on the Double Ninth Festival celebrated on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month. This year the Double Ninth Festival, also called “Senior’s Day,” falls on October 25, 2020.

Like many ancient writings, this story represents a code message containing important health information. Some say the Christian Bible contains herbal advice, such as the importance of frankincense and myrrh for purification. The earliest Chinese medical texts were written in response to epidemic disease, the plague. The Double Nine story features two herbs, dogwood and chrysanthemum, used to enhance yang. A yang movement of energy in the body is upward and outward, the kind of qi that moves “evil influences” such as chills, germs and allergies out of the body. Yang energy is necessary to protect us from the invasion of illness. 

The number 9 is also considered yang. The Chinese word for NINE 九  Jiǔ sounds like the Chinese word for OLD 旧 Jiù. Hence the day is also called “Senior Day.” Yang also refers to the two herbs mentioned in the story of Huan Jing, dogwood tree and chrysanthemum flower. Combining dogwood tree berries, (aka cornus, cornelian cherry, Common Macrocarpium Fruit/ Shan Zhu Yu) a strong source of vitamin C and Chrysanthemum flower, used to reduce fever and headache, make a cooling, detoxifying tea. The river, a common source of cholera, posed a danger for the people, especially to the weak and elderly or during a time in Autumn (cold/flu season) when people needed yang energy to lift their immunity against germs and raise their vitality and increase longevity. Chrysanthemum is a flower that symbolizes vitality for Chinese culture. It is an elegant, fragrant, sweet and delicious tea, a beverage for Immortals. 

Cornus Cornelian cherry, the fruit of the dogwood, a strong source of vitamin C, may be used in formulas that treat tinnitus, dizziness and extreme shock; extracts may be effective against the salmonella and shigella bacteria. In some cases, cornus bark is used as an astringent to treat fevers and combat malaria. The astringent fruit is a good treatment for bowel complaints and fevers, whilst it is also used in the treatment of cholera. 

In acupuncture, the Stomach meridian Source Point, ST-42, is called Chongyang, “Surging Yang” located on the foot. Stimulating the point is used to clear heat from the Stomach meridian, harmonize the stomach organ, calm the spirit, activate the channel, and heal pain. Indications include: 

• Gastric pain, abdominal distention
• Swelling and pain of the dorsum of the foot
• Swelling of the face, toothache, deviation of the mouth and eye

Worry (obsession) is the emotion that is said to trouble the spleen and stomach organs associated with the Earth element in the body. Too much pensiveness, worrying and insecurity weaken our ability to digest food and ideas. When we are anxious, we find it hard to accept a situation or life event. 

In Chinese communities world wide, on the ninth day of the ninth month, people climb mountains, taking the high ground away from the river, and admire chrysanthemums which are in bloom. They may not know the ancient legend or the medicinal effects of cornelian cherry Common Macrocarpium Fruit/ Shan Zhu Yu or Chrysanthemum. Although chrysanthemum is a popular drink during hot, polluted weather, since it reduces migraine, computer eye strain, hypertension as well as fever. We advise drinking cornelian chrysanthemum tea to lift our spirits and energy and prepare for the coming colder weather and flu season. Chrysanthemum wine takes a year to make by steeping the flowers in rice wine or sake. Some people like to drop the fragrant flowers into their wine glass of sweet vermouth.

Many widely-known poems were created for Double Nine by poets in the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907) describing the scene and feeling of mountain climbing. Now, family relatives or good friends gather to climb mountains to enjoy the beautiful scenery and share happiness of the holiday with each other. As chrysanthemums blossom during the festival, it is a pleasure to admire the various chrysanthemums in parks. Grand chrysanthemum exhibitions are held in big parks that attract numerous visitors.

The custom as wear dogwood flowers and leaves to dispel the disaster in people's values was popular in the old days. Now during the festival, Chongyang cake and chrysanthemum wine and tea are the traditional cuisine. Chongyang Cake is a steamed layer cake made with nuts and jujube dates. Since cake in Chinese is pronounced 'gao' meaning high, people consider climbing a high mountain to be the same as eating cake. Also personal progress is thought to be made in the following days after eating the cake, for 'high' means that one makes improvements moving to a higher level.

Double Nine was originally a day for farmers to celebrate harvest crops. The festival, born in the Warring States period (475-221 BC), became popular in the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AC). At that time, Queen Lv was so jealous of Concubine Qi, who is one of the favorite of Liu Bang (the first emperor of the Han Dynasty, 256 or 247-195 BC), that she ill-treated and drove her maid out of the imperial palace to marry a commoner after the emperor’s death.

This maid, known as Miss Jia, told people that in the imperial palace, every ninth day of the ninth lunar month, they wore small twigs of dogwood in their hair and drank chrysanthemum wine, otherwise there would be disasters. Later many common people followed the custom and it gradually prevailed all over the country. In the year of 1989, Double Ninth Festival was designated as Senior's Day, a day to respect the elderly. Many companies organize groups where retired people go out to climb mountains or on other outings. Members of the family accompany their elders to have a relaxing day in a natural setting and wish for health and happiness.

WING HOP FUNG sells delicious Chrysanthemum flowers for making tea and a number of herbal products that contain Cornelian cherry (aka cornus, corni Common Macrocarpium Fruit/ Shan Zhu Yu). Here are a 

1. Five Flowers Tea  (Wu Hua Herbal Tea)

For reducing sore throat, congestion and eye strain

Ingredients: Honeysuckle, Chrysanthemum, Sophora japonica, Kapok, Frangipani

Honeysuckle (lonicera japanica), a broad-spectrum antibiotic herbal medicine known to reduce staff, strept, and pneumonia germs, is the unopened bloom that is called in Chinese gold and silver flower. It is slightly bitter and soothing for sore throat, breast, and skin infections. Combined with chrysanthemum flower, it is recommended as a cold/flu remedy. Chinese chrysanthemum is sweet and delicious.

2. Thirst Quencher Tea

消渴玉泉湯 (Xiao Ke Yu Quan Herbal Soup)

Moistening, refreshing, helps balance blood sugar 

A number of herbs in this tea are used in medicinal formulas that treat diabetes and reduce stress. In that way it is similar to Relax and Thrive (aka Six Flavor Rehmannia Tea) and Beauty and Longevity Tea. However this formula adds balsam pear, polygonum multi., snakegourd, wolfberry (aka goji berry) Cornelian cherry and astragalus which raises its potential as an immune boosting treatment. 

Polygonum multiflorum, (he shou wu, fo-ti,) is a blood tonic that is used for a wide variety of discomforts from premature grey hair to diabetes. WebMd reports: “Fo-ti is commonly used to help treat or prevent conditions related to aging, including cancer, heart disease, and memory problems.”

Fructus corni is the fruit of the Cornelian dogwood tree, a cherry that is an excellent source of vitamin C. The kidneys are challenged in diabetes and some diabetes medicines are known to reduce sexual capacity. Vitamin C is a good general tonic for the entire body, for formation of collagen and joints and is especially helpful for the kidneys. 

3. A Strong Back, Muscles and Bones

壯腰健腎茶 (Zhuang Yao Jian Shen Herbal Tea):

for weakness or pain in the lower body: low back pain, weak back, hips, knees, legs, weak tendons.

Cautions and Contraindications: Heating. Avoid during a cold or flu

Aging, injuries, use of certain drugs such as steroids, smoking and bad habits wear out our muscles, joints and bones. This is a warming tonic that contains herbs that are precursors to testosterone, among others. Either men or women may use A Strong Back, Muscles and Bones for exhaustion with chronic pain and weakness. However a warming tonic will have side-effects for people who already have inflammation issues. It should be avoided during a cold or flu, fever, headache, acne or other internal heat discomforts. Inflammatory heat feels hot, burning, pounding, unrelenting and sometimes disorienting. . .

A Strong Back, Muscles and Bones may prove to be a useful fall/winter tonic for weak or aging people or anyone who suffers from chills and weakness, and chronic deep aches and pains that improve with application of heat and gentle massage. Chinese doctors recommend this remedy for people with kidney yang and kidney qi deficiency: 补肝肾、益精髓、强骨健筋 which may manifest as the body’s inability to support strong muscles and bones with many resulting health issues ranging from chronic diarrhea, bone fractures, back and leg pain, poor circulation, low sexual vitality and osteoporosis. Since the Kidney/adrenal Qi impacts many aspects of health in the body, there may be accompanying troubles such as low immunity, depression, obesity, heart weakness or being accident prone. . . 

Kidney tonic herbs in this formula include corni, Cornelian dogwood cherry, a strong source of vitamin C and a sexual and aphrodisiac tonic epimedium colorfully known as “horny goat weed.” Given to goats, who usually need no prompting, resulted in more kids. For humans epimedium (yin yang huo) is a precursor to testosterone. According webmd.com “epimedium is used for erectile dysfunction (ED) and low sexual desire. It is also used for weak back and knees, joint pain, arthritis, mental and physical fatigue, and memory loss along with many other conditions.” The other conditions include that it promotes circulation in the limbs and is often used for post-stroke patients who have stiffness, numbness, and paralysis. Epimedium has antibiotic and antihypertensive effects. … etc. 

4. Prostate Health

前列腺湯 (Qian Lie Xian Herbal Soup)

for enlarged prostate discomfort, tonifies kidney, reduces inflammation

Prostate discomforts are a very common problem especially for men over age 40 or men who smoke. It is made worse from a stressful, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, obesity, and an overly rich inflammatory diet. “Daily red meat consumption has proven to triple a man's chance of developing BPH and is also linked to prostate cancer. Other irritating foods include alcohol, caffeine and salt.” (advancedurology.com) Many medications that cause urinary retention can worsen symptoms of BPH benign prostatic hyperplasia. These types of medications include antihistamines, decongestants, diuretics, opiates, and tricyclic antidepressants.

BPH discomfort may feel as though sitting on a hard knot or swelling with or without infection. Prostate Health remedy may be used with or without prescribed medications since the herbs are gently anti-inflammatory, detoxifying and diuretic to encourage healthy blood flow in the prostate area. When using herbal remedies along with medical drugs, separate them by at least two hours to avoid interactions. 

The action of this formula is detoxifying yet supportive with cooling tonic herbs that enhance blood production, herbs that stir circulation and diuretic herbs that bring those qualities to help clear the prostate area. Energy and sexual tonics are included to support the lower back and prevent weakness. . . .

Kidney tonic herbs in this formula include Corni, Cornelian dogwood cherry, a strong source of vitamin C and a sexual and aphrodisiac tonic epimedium colorfully known as “horny goat weed.” Given to goats, who usually need no prompting, resulted in more kids. Epimedium (yin yang huo) is a precursor to human testosterone. According webmd.com “epimedium is used for erectile dysfunction (ED) and low sexual desire. It is also used for weak back and knees, joint pain, arthritis, mental and physical fatigue, and memory loss along with many other conditions.” The other conditions include that it promotes circulation in the limbs and is often used for post-stroke patients who have stiffness, numbness, and paralysis. Epimedium has antibiotic and antihypertensive effects. 

Several diuretic herbs play an important roll in this formula. They include Solomonseal, water plantain, and fuling aka Tuckahoe which grows on pine trees. Strongly anti-inflammatory anemarrhena is usually added to formulas to reduce fever. Here it helps to reduce prostate swelling. … etc.