Kidney/Adrenal Support During Winter Cold
WINTER HARMONY
The crisp, white snow has smothered the vibrant red colours of Autumn. It appears somebody has laid a sparkling white sheet over the mountains and put them to bed. There is a piercing chill in the air that brings crispness to the leaves, adorned with frost, that crunch underfoot. The way the snow is sprinkles down from a grey, clouded sky and floats to the ground with grace and elegance, so pure. Rosy cheeked, we huddle to keep warm, pulling woollen hats over our reddened ears and tightening scarves over our purple lips.
Winter, the cold season, is a time of restoration, self contemplation, and slumbering. In Traditional Chinese Medicine winter is associated with water, which is connected with the Urinary Bladder and, most significantly, the Kidney.
The Water Element
Water is the most yin (the passive, nourishing force) of all the five elements. The organ systems associated with Water are the Kidneys and Urinary Bladder, which control water metabolism and maintain harmony within the body.
As we age we lose water, and our bodies begin to dry out. Our bones and hair become more fragile and brittle, our skin loses its elasticity, our minds may lose their sharpness. While acknowledging these changes, Traditional Chinese Medicine gives us numerous mental, physical, and nutritional tools to help slow down the progression of the unavoidable by offering ways to increase the water reserves within us.
The Kidney and the Urinary Bladder
The Kidney is the powerhouse of the body, supplying reserve energy to any organ running low on Qi. Kidney Yang vitalizes the system and separates the pure aspects of Water from the impure. The contaminated parts of Water are transported to the Urinary Bladder for elimination, while the pure parts are transformed into a mist, whaich is circulated freely throughout the body. This action sends warmth and energy (Qi) to the entire body. The Kidneys also have a yin aspect, or cooling and nourishing, function that secures that all the structures within the body and mind are moistened. This process keeps the body and mind flexible.
Tips to Keep your Kidney Healthy
Rub the ball of your foot, for about 5 minutes a day. This stimulates your Kidney qi as the feet are connected with the Kidney and Bladder meridians, which run through the heel and to the sole of the foot.
When enjoying outdoor activities, make sure your lower back, where your kidneys are located, is covered.
Rub your ears a few times throughout the day. The ear is connected to the Kidney meridian and this simple massage will strengthen and improve Kidney function.
Dietary Recommendations to Boost Kidney Qi
In winter your body appreciates warming foods like hearty soups, stews, steaming cups of tea, and root vegetables such as squash and potatoes. Foods that help nourish and fortify the kidney are: black beans, kidney beans or red adzuki beans, seaweed, steamed dark leafy greens, ginger, bone broth and lamb. A simple way to feel more connected to the water element is to use sea salt. A moderate amount of salty food can help nourish the kidneys, but remember that excessive salt damages them.
Always drink plenty of water as winter tends to suck the moisture out of the body. Avoid ice water as it can be too cooling and damage the Kidney.
Acupressure Massage Points to Boost Kidney Qi
Massage these points a few times a day for 5-10 minutes.
Kidney 1 (Yong Quan)- Gushing Spring - calms the mind, aids in vertex headaches dizziness and hypertension.
Kidney 3 (Tai Xi)- Supreme Stream - Tonifies the kidneys and strengthens the lower back. Kidney 6 (Zhao Hai)- Shining Sea - Used for various throat conditions such as sore throat, a common point for menstrual irregularities and helps calm the spirit.
Kidney 7 (Fu Liu)- Returning Current - A good point that helps regulate urination and sweating conditions, such as night sweating, it also helps relieve edema,
Bladder 23 (Shen Shu)- Kidney Shu - Major point for treating Kidney deficiencies, helps treat lumbar pain, and aids in menstrual irregularities.
Written by Lidia Pamies
Lidia is a registered acupuncturist committed to providing quality patient-focused care.