As the coldness rolls in, we watch the last autumn leaf fall from the tree.
The earth seemingly appears to shut down and become dormant.
Winter represents a time of energy storage and conservation.
In Traditional Chinese medicine, we see parallels between what occurs in nature and how our bodies react.
In winter we tend to curl inward, and may find ourselves more sensitive and emotional.
Our bodies are calling for a rest.
Take this as time for reflection and concentrate on how to work to gather strength.
One must conserve energy in order to have energy.
Water is the element in nature that represents winter.
If you consider its nature, it may trickle like a stream or rage like rapids.
It is constantly changing.
Like water, we must stay active in the winter to keep the body warm and the energy moving.
Water must stay in motion, or it will freeze solid or become stagnant.
This stagnancy will slow the body down with difficulty of returning to normal.
The acupuncture meridians associated with water are the kidney and the bladder.
Not only do they have physiological functions they also had emotional inferences.
The kidney meridian is the official in charge of willpower and fear.
The bladder meridian is the official in charge of eliminating what we no longer need such as jealousy, or long standing grudges.
You may know people who tend to have character traits or personalities like water that follow: IN BALANCE-One has a strong willpower.
Difficulty or danger does not easily discourage them.
You may see many acts of inner strength, along with faith in self.
These people are not fool hardy, and often have concern for others and themselves.
OUT OF BALANCE-the Yin type person is insecure and fearful.
They lack determination to achieve goals.
The lack of energy can be seen in their ambition and motivation.
They may let life slide by because their limitations are set by fear.
The yang type-is one who does too much, may be ambitious or ruthless.
They do not have any concern for themselves or others.
This person may be reckless and usually lives in stress while suppressing fears.
Physiologically the kidney meridian houses our vital energy and our reproductive capacity.
The kidney filters and cleanses the blood, balances the body fluids, controls the flow of water and mineral balance.
This meridian warms the body and strengthens the bones and marrow.
The bladder meridians stores and eliminates liquid waste.
It assists the kidney in functions and strengthens the back.
Symptoms of imbalance show: urinary system problem, excessive tiredness, coldness, back and knee pain.
Frequency, urgency or pain urinating, and genital/reproductive troubles.
Like a water boiler we must work to keep the water moving, nutritious, circulating and warm in order to support the body and minds especially during this season.
Some suggestions on how to keep your kidneys warms this winter: 1.
Keep yourself warm and dry.
Wear layers if you feel susceptible to coldness.
2.
Do a vigorous and warming rub to your back in the kidney area with you hands daily 3.
Drink lots of clear clean fluids, like water or herbal teas.
4.
Do not consume icy cold water.
5.
Eat fuller, warming and substantial foods.
Warming dishes like stews and soups 6.
Root vegetables are good at this time of the year.
Very nutritious 7.
Cooked grains like millet or buckwheat.
8.
Eat less fruit and raw vegetables.
Steam or lightly cooked veggies are better digested.
9.
Salt-water foods are good in this season.
And if flesh foods are part of your diet, practice moderation.
10.
Herbs such as: Ginger, Cinnamon, Licorice, Comfrey, Fennel and Burdock are warming.
December 21st is the first day of the winter solstice, the first day of winter and the longest night.
Let's welcome winter warmly.
More light is on the way!
The earth seemingly appears to shut down and become dormant.
Winter represents a time of energy storage and conservation.
In Traditional Chinese medicine, we see parallels between what occurs in nature and how our bodies react.
In winter we tend to curl inward, and may find ourselves more sensitive and emotional.
Our bodies are calling for a rest.
Take this as time for reflection and concentrate on how to work to gather strength.
One must conserve energy in order to have energy.
Water is the element in nature that represents winter.
If you consider its nature, it may trickle like a stream or rage like rapids.
It is constantly changing.
Like water, we must stay active in the winter to keep the body warm and the energy moving.
Water must stay in motion, or it will freeze solid or become stagnant.
This stagnancy will slow the body down with difficulty of returning to normal.
The acupuncture meridians associated with water are the kidney and the bladder.
Not only do they have physiological functions they also had emotional inferences.
The kidney meridian is the official in charge of willpower and fear.
The bladder meridian is the official in charge of eliminating what we no longer need such as jealousy, or long standing grudges.
You may know people who tend to have character traits or personalities like water that follow: IN BALANCE-One has a strong willpower.
Difficulty or danger does not easily discourage them.
You may see many acts of inner strength, along with faith in self.
These people are not fool hardy, and often have concern for others and themselves.
OUT OF BALANCE-the Yin type person is insecure and fearful.
They lack determination to achieve goals.
The lack of energy can be seen in their ambition and motivation.
They may let life slide by because their limitations are set by fear.
The yang type-is one who does too much, may be ambitious or ruthless.
They do not have any concern for themselves or others.
This person may be reckless and usually lives in stress while suppressing fears.
Physiologically the kidney meridian houses our vital energy and our reproductive capacity.
The kidney filters and cleanses the blood, balances the body fluids, controls the flow of water and mineral balance.
This meridian warms the body and strengthens the bones and marrow.
The bladder meridians stores and eliminates liquid waste.
It assists the kidney in functions and strengthens the back.
Symptoms of imbalance show: urinary system problem, excessive tiredness, coldness, back and knee pain.
Frequency, urgency or pain urinating, and genital/reproductive troubles.
Like a water boiler we must work to keep the water moving, nutritious, circulating and warm in order to support the body and minds especially during this season.
Some suggestions on how to keep your kidneys warms this winter: 1.
Keep yourself warm and dry.
Wear layers if you feel susceptible to coldness.
2.
Do a vigorous and warming rub to your back in the kidney area with you hands daily 3.
Drink lots of clear clean fluids, like water or herbal teas.
4.
Do not consume icy cold water.
5.
Eat fuller, warming and substantial foods.
Warming dishes like stews and soups 6.
Root vegetables are good at this time of the year.
Very nutritious 7.
Cooked grains like millet or buckwheat.
8.
Eat less fruit and raw vegetables.
Steam or lightly cooked veggies are better digested.
9.
Salt-water foods are good in this season.
And if flesh foods are part of your diet, practice moderation.
10.
Herbs such as: Ginger, Cinnamon, Licorice, Comfrey, Fennel and Burdock are warming.
December 21st is the first day of the winter solstice, the first day of winter and the longest night.
Let's welcome winter warmly.
More light is on the way!