Chinese Medicine during Winter
The winter solstice is fast approaching and with it the beginning of the winter season. In nature, the trees and plants have pulled their energy back into their roots to survive the colder weather. The season of winter in nature is cold, damp, and inactive. The ancient Chinese believed that in order to stay healthy humans should live in harmony with their natural surroundings. The cold and shorter days of winter signal us to slow down, reflect on our health, conserve our strength and replenish our energy.
Winter is a time for rest and introspection. We conserve our energy to be prepared for the burst of energy needed in the spring. Winter is represented by the water element. The associated organs are kidney, urinary bladder, adrenal glands, ears, and hair. The emotion associated with kidney is fear.
Foods which help to support the kidney energy are:
- Soups and Stews
- Root vegetables
- Beans
- Miso and seaweed
- Garlic and ginger
- Black beans, black rice
Emphasize warming foods and avoid raw food as much as possible. Go to bed early, get plenty of rest, stay warm and minimize stress to stay healthy during winter.
