Winter: the Kidneys Season –Tucson Acupuncturist Juan Tejada
The Kidneys are more sensitive in the winter, they don’t like the cold. So avoid sitting or standing in cold wet places. It is also a good idea to eat foods that increase our Kidneys energy; so we can be healthy through the winter and prepare for spring. Our Kidney/Bladder system is responsible for many functions in our bodies, the most important are; reproduction, development, bone and marrow production and the management of the water metabolism.
The following article by Diane Joswick, L. AC, MSOM has some great suggestions on how to take care of the Kidneys.
Short cut to Health and Harmony
Oriental Medicine is based on the balance of the “QI”. As the saying goes “Go with the flow”, by flowing and following the “QI guidelines,” a person can maintain and improve his/her health throughout the year. Each season of the year has a specific energy; winter is the season of the Kidneys and Urinary Bladder system.
Water-Winter-Cold
This is the time when Yang Qi becomes weak and Yin Qi becomes stronger; so we need to conserve energy and build strength to be ready for spring. Storing our reserves is vital for the strength of our kidneys. It is advisable to eat more food with salty, sour, and bitter flavors. Eating excess glutinous, uncooked, and cold food damages the kidneys, spleen, and stomach, and should be taken in moderation. Foods with more oils help to retain warmth.
The energy of the Kidney is in charge of reproduction, development, bone and marrow production, the water metabolism, plus many other functions. To keep this system healthy we can eat what makes our Kidneys strong. For example; the salty taste nourishes kidney Qi as in sea veggies, sea salt, black kidney beans, adzuki beans, black soybeans, burdock root, pork, salt water fish, walnuts, black sesame seeds, dark leafy greens, figs, kombu tea, shiitake, cucumber, reishi, and daikon. When the kidney Qi is deficient, nourish it with combined sea and land vegetable dishes such as dried daikon in stew or dark leafy greens in fish stew.
A person with a weak Kidneys system tends to be fearful, weak willpower, insecure, aloof, and isolated and feels cold all the time. There is not enough energy to pursue her/his dreams and goals, or to share with others, and has little faith or confidence in his/her ability to make things happen.
A balanced Kidney system manifests as strong desire/will, and courage to make important changes in her/his life are. Self-confidence is known to be housed in and reflected by our kidney Qi which becomes strong from foods, exercises such as Qi-Gong, and spiritual growth, as well as the courage to find, believe in, and move towards our higher goals and dreams. When we positively activate and direct water energy the planning and manifesting the life’s goals becomes easier.
So by adjusting your diet for the Seasons and doing exercise like Qi-Gong, you can be well and balanced year round.
