Living Through Winter with Chinese Medicine

"The wise nourish life, by flowing with the four-season and adapting to cold or heat, by harmonising joy and anger in a tranquil dwelling, by balancing yin and yang, and what is hard and soft. So it is that dissolute evil cannot reach the man of wisdom, and he will be witness to a long life." -Huangdi Neijing Suwen

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Winter is the time to slow down, a time to go inwards. It represents the most yin aspect of Chinese medicine. The organ system it is associated with are the Kidneys and Urinary Bladder Channel, it is associated with feelings of fear and its sense organ is the ears.

It is a time to keep ourselves warm, not only externally with layers of clothing, scarves and hats but also internally to maintain good health and that healthy glow.

Foods are important at this time - think slow cooked meals, soups, stews, congee and warm breakfasts - porridge, poached pears and apples, foods that are grown seasonal to where you are and appropriate to your climate.

Other foods to consider - winter vegetables, winter greens, root vegetables, whole grains, animal protein, legumes and lentils, nuts and seeds, mushrooms and fungus, winter is also associated with the colour black so think foods that are the colour blue and black, foods such as dark berries, black rice, black sesame, add a little soy sauce. The flavour for winter is salty, salt helps to regulate the proper water balance in the body when used appropriately, so not too much, it is known to descend the energy deep into the core and softens hard masses. Good quality salts such as celtic sea salt or Himalayan pink salts are ideal.

Vitamins such as Vit C, Vit D, B-Vitamins, Zinc and a Probiotic are good supplements to consider. Check with your doctor, naturopath or pharmacist for dosage that is best suited to you.

Kidneys rule the bones, they are the seat of our vital life force, so its little wonder that bone broth is a nutritional therapy, a powerful jing tonic.

Winter is the element of water so it is also important to keep hydrated, good quality water,( I highly recommend Kangen water ) and herbal teas such as Camomile tea for relaxation and sleep, Licorice root to soothe a sore throat, ginger tea for a pick me up, peppermint tea for digestion, Lemon balm tea for cold and flu and stinging nettle for allergies to name a few.

The Kidney and Urinary Bladder system rule water metabolism and maintain homeostasis. We are around 75% water and as we age we lose water and our bodies begin to dry out, our bones and hair become more brittle, skin loses elasticity and our mind can lose its accustomed flexibility. By supporting our bodies with the right nutrients and exercise according to the season in which we are living and maintain good mental health, can all help acumen the water reserves within us.

Excersise and movement are always important but during winter it is a good idea to store your reserves by slowing it down. Yoga, Yin yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, Qigong, slow deep lower body stretches, legs, hips, pelvis, lower back, squats, lunges etc, walks in nature are all beneficial.

Mental health is critical. As fear is the emotion associated with Winter it can be a time that we reflect within, deep-seated emotions can surface, it is good not to judge these but to acknowledge these reflections and when ready allow them to be gently released. Meditation, breathwork, keeping a journal of our feelings, thoughts and dreams can be helpful. If it is all too much then please seek the help of a professional for guidance.

It really is a time for self-care, harness self-love and take that time for yourself - long candlelit baths, soothing music, slow dancing, cuddles on the couch with loved ones or your pet, writing that book you're storing within, read that book that's been sitting on your self, fresh air, get plenty of rest, go to bed early and sleep later.

Maintenance really is imperative! Building up our immune system and keeping it strong by the above recommendations are incredibly beneficial, there are also many amazing modalities one can seek to help assist.

I offer the ancient art of Shiatsu bodywork, Oriental therapies such as Moxa, Cupping and Gua Sha, solo or small group Sound frequency and Gong Therapy, Acutonics ( planetary aligned tuning forks ), Pranic healing and crystal healing energy work, Australian bush Flower essence, Far infrared sauna and deep heat therapy that could help combat a variety of ailments.

As health care practitioners, it is our ultimate aim to keep one well and healthy and the easiest way to do that is to receive regular treatments to help keep pathogens at bay that then if lodge requires longer healing time.

Please feel free to contact me with any queries or to book your appointment on 0431151474.

Many Blessings

Michelle