Tips for Winter Health: Kidney Season

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Kidney is the powerhouse of the body; supplying reserve energy to any organ running low on Qi. Its partner organ is the Bladder. The season associated with the Kidney is the Winter so it’s especially important to slow down and conserve energy by getting more rest, so let's get into it!

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1. Wear socks! KD1; which is the first point in the channel is on the bottom of your foot, we want to keep it nice and warm.

2. No cold or raw veggies like salads, raw carrots & celery and most importantly cold drinks with ice! Switch over to warm drinks and be mindful of high sugars.

3. Eat foods like broths, beef/lamb even seafood. These are all foods that build strong Kidney function. Listen to the body, and eat what you are in the “mood” for. The kidney organ-meridian is traditionally associated with the colour black in Chinese medicine, and blue-black foods are believed to strengthen and nourish it, so include eggplant, black sesame seeds, black beans, wood ear mushrooms, plums and seaweed in your diet. Other foods traditionally regarded as nourishing to the kidneys include walnuts, figs, raisins, brown rice and other whole grains, plus hearty broths and soups and warming casseroles.

4. Fear is the emotion associated with the Kidney. If you often have severe panic attacks, anxiety, and fear, your body may be trying to tell you that Kidney energy is running low or is imbalanced.

5. The taste that corresponds to and supports the Kidney is salt, according to the Five Element theory. Craving salt? Listen to your Kidney and have a salty snack but don’t go overboard - you only need a little!

6. The bone is the tissue associated with the Kidney. If the Kidney’s energy is low, you may have symptoms such as osteoporosis, dental issues, or developmental issues.

7. The ears are the sensory organs related to the Kidney. Any ear problems, such as deafness, tinnitus, or ear infections are a signal from your body that the Kidney’s energy needs extra support. I also find it important to cover your ears when it’s windy, as well as the back of your neck.

8. No crop tops, wear jackets that go below your bum. The kidneys and bladder are traditionally considered sensitive to cold, so rug up in chilly weather and take particular care to avoid letting your lower back get cold. When needed, keep the kidney organ-meridian system warm by applying a hot water bottle or heat pack to the lower back.

9. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, but keep alcohol, soft drinks and coffee to a minimum. Herbs like dandelion tea, marshmallow root, juniper, nettle and ginger, as well as B6, B16 and magnesium all help tonify the kidneys.

10. Keep active! Bundle up and go for walk, go skating, or tobogganing! Physical activity lowers the risk of rapid decline in Kidney function!

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Stay tuned for the following seasons to keep healthy throughout the year!

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