Han: Jiefeng ‘Receiving The Wind & Washing Off Dust’

By CLIFF HAN
AllerPops founder
Los Alamos

This spring juniper reminds me of an old story. Some years ago, I paid a final visit to a dying relative during a trip back to China. Their family lived in a small village. As we walked into their front yard, the son prepared us a bowl of water and a towel for us to wash our hands and face.

After thinking the process a little odd, I followed suit. This is the traditional custom in the area of my hometown to welcome visitors.

In Chinese, it is jiefengxichen (接风洗尘, usually shortened as jiefeng), and in direct translation, “receiving the wind and washing off dust.” I do not know how this custom was developed. This washing was likely necessary and gave visitors some comfort as they used to walk from a distance away on dusty roads. Nowadays, the custom seems to be more for a banquet as people seldom arrive by walking anymore.

Jiefeng is likely a beneficial practice during the spring for most of us when pollen is high. It may relieve your allergy symptoms if you have them or prevent you from developing allergies if you do not.

When you should jiefeng your family and yourself during the allergy season:

  • In the spring or fall; and
  • Anytime you finish outdoor activity and will stay indoors for a while, home or work place.

How to jiefeng:

  • Change out of your outermost layer of clothes if you can;
  • Wash your face with cool water, focusing on the lips, nose and eyes;
  • Blow your nose; and
  • Rinse your mouth with tap water.

About Cliff Han:

Cliff Shunsheng Han, Ph.D. in Genetics, Psychiatrist, Physician, and Christian. He worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory for 22 years and recently founded AllerPops Corp.

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