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Winter and Chinese Medicine

Chinese Medicine is an ancient method of healing extending as far back as the Han dynasty (206 BC – AD 220). This traditional medicine includes seasonal diet and lifestyle recommendations as a key component to health and longevity. The ancient Chinese sages have said the winter season is a time for reflection, meditation and receptivity. While energy is descending and moving inward it allows our body to conserve in preparation for a new year. According to Chinese Medical theory, winter is the season that corresponds to our Kidney energy which needs to be protected and nourished during the cold months.

The following excerpt from The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicine, Moashing Ni (the Neijing Suwen) ~240 B.C. Elaborates: "During the Winter months all things in nature wither, hide, return home, and enter a resting period, just as lakes and rives freeze and snow falls. This is a time when yin dominates yang. Therefore one should refrain from overusing the yang energy. Retire early and get up with the sunrise, which is later in Winter. Desires and mental activity should be kept quiet and subdued, as if keeping a happy secret. Stay warm, avoid the cold, and keep the skin covered. Avoid sweating. The theory of the Winter season is one of conservation and storage. Without such practice the result will be injury to the Kidney energy. This will cause weakness, shrinking of muscles, and coldness; then the body loses its ability to open and move about in the Spring."

In Chinese medicine the Kidney energy is the source of the entire bodies energy. It is responsible for development, growth, structure, and reproduction. The Kidney energy supports the growth for bones and teeth, the hair on the head, healthy sexual function, fertility, and wisdom. The kidneys energy from a western medical model is comparable to the thyroid, reproductive and adrenal glands. If in the winter the Kidney energy loses its support by "countercurrent" living, they will be injured. Then the body will not store Qi (vital energy), and in the spring there will be a feeble supply for opening and growth.

Kidney/Winter imbalances and disorders:

• Chronic cold hands and feet
• Frequent or urgent urination
• Low back and knee pain
• Depression
• Headaches
• Fatigue, low libido
• Hypothyroid
• Low immune function, stress, cold and flus
• Infertility, painful menstruation
• Cough, bronchitis, pneumonia

During winter one should get plenty of rest, stay warm and eat an appropriately "warm" diet. This doesn't just mean the temperature of the food when ingested but also the energetic property of the food itself. Warm energy foods include ginger, cinnamon, clove and black teas. If you are a meat eater lamb and beef are good winter foods along with lentils, black beans and roasted veggies. Foods from the sea are very nourishing to the kidneys and are great in soups such as shellfish, miso and seaweeds. Roasting chestnuts and walnuts are healthy treats to enjoy on those cold winter evenings around the fire. Foods to avoid would be cold foods such as ice cream, ice water, melons, soy, excessive amounts of raw veggies and salad. For breakfast, opt out on the cold smoothie and choose a warm cereal such as oatmeal or a porridge. It is also important to keep physically active but not to overstrain oneself. Outdoor activities such as skating, skiing, snowshoeing or even stretching in a sunny room, swimming, hot yoga or Tia Ji, are all excellent ways to maintain a healthy mind and body.

Acupuncture and Herbs are a safe and effective therapy suitable for children, the elderly and pregnant woman. Acupuncture and Herbs have the ability to promote a healthy balanced body and are often used as an effective form of preventative medicine. People who receive treatments are less likely to succumb to the winter nasties of colds, flu, pneumonia, fatigue and seasonal depression.The holiday season is a time for family and friends to gather, so it is important to make sure that you feel your best. Make time for yourself and please protect and nourish your kidneys!

Blair Edwards R.TCM.P, R.Ac
Acupuncturist, Herbalist
Chinese Medicine Practitioner