The Water Element / Winter Season & The Kidneys
As I sit here writing this on the evening of the Cold full moon of December 2020, I can feel the full fling into winter and the welcoming fullness of the moon filling my heart with clarity. Today was a rainy dark day with a chill in the crisp heavy air. A perfect afternoon for bundling up in comfy slippers and a fuzzy blanket; reading, conserving energy and reflecting on the year past. This is the epitome of the Water element and the nature of Winter as observed by East Asian Medicine. We are at a place in the year, just over a week past the solstice; the most yin day and the longest night of the year. The season of winter is the coldest and darkest of seasons. The very innermost Yin of the Winter as compared to the outermost Yang of the Summer. A time to hibernate, to reserve our stores of energy and rest in preparation for the burgeoning energy to come in Spring.
The Water element is just one part of the dynamic cycle known as the 5 element cycle. Within this cycle each element is embodied by a taste, a season, a feeling, an action, an emotion, etc. This cycle generates unto the next. From Water sprouts Wood, Wood fuels Fire, Fire nourishes Earth, Earth fortifies Metal and Metal engenders Water. These are the 5 elements, and when they are in balance, we too, are in balance - holistically and collectively. It is important to live within each element as it dictates the succession of our health.
Now that we have briefly touched on the subject of the 5 elements, Let’s really “dive in” to what the Water element embodies, shall we?
Water is cool, it’s night is long, it’s color is black like the deepest of reservoirs. Water represents the organs of the Kidneys and Urinary Bladder, but we will mainly be focusing on the importance of the Kidneys and their energetic function. For the purpose of this information - further reference to the Kidneys shall be capitalized to reflect the concept of the organs through the lens of East Asian medicine. The Water element’s characteristics encompass the following attributes:
The season is winter.
The organs are the Kidneys & Urinary Bladder
The taste is salty as that of the sea.
The action is softening and astringent.
The emotion is calm when in balance / fear when out of balance.
The time of day is from 3pm to 5pm for Bladder / 5pm to 7pm for Kidneys
The water element influences the ears and hearing
The Kidneys are considered the “root of life“ In East Asian medicine. They store our “essence” which is established at conception and is determined by the prenatal qi passed down from our parents. The Kidneys govern our birth, growth, development and reproduction. Balanced kidney function ensures vibrant sexual health, youthfulness and longevity. They govern our mental cognitive function, our bones and teeth. If you treat your Kidneys kindly, you shall live a long life!
So how do we treat our Kidney’s kindly?
As we are deep in the season of Winter & The Water element there are certain ways to direct your own daily rituals and health to live in accordance with the season.
Winter is the season associated with the Kidneys and is the best time to strengthen them.
See below for recommendations to give your Kidneys alotta love!
Eat!
One way is to eat foods nourishing to the Water element. Eat only warm in temperature foods; no cold, raw foods as they cool the “Mingmen Fire” of the Kidneys. Slow cooked stews are an excellent choice. Find interesting, delicious ways to combine some of the foods listed below.
Black is the associated color of the water element, so it makes sense that many black or dark foods are really good for the Kidneys! Great examples of some of the black/dark foods are:
Black beans, (fermented black beans used sparingly are amazing Kidney tonics) click for recipe!
Blackberries
Seaweeds
Black mussels
Black lentils
Black rice
Black sesame seeds
Blueberries
We also want to preserve yin in the Winter as well as cultivate yang. Foods that nourish yin are:
Eggs
Pork
Black mushrooms
Bone broth is excellent (remember Kidneys govern the bones and bone broth can replenish vital minerals and nutrients!)
Foods that support yang:
Lamb
Trout
Pistachios
Beans and seeds (especially sesame seeds) that have been toasted
Foods that nourish both yin & yang:Artichoke
Squash and spaghetti squash
Green vegetables, such as Okra, rapini or broccoli rabe (be sure to eat the stalks as well), spinach, and zucchini.
Sweet potatoes
Kabocha
Kale
Olives
Radicchios
Seaweed
Herbs!
Supplementing with herbs in your cooking can be a big boost to your kidneys. Great warming herbs to add to cooking are basil, clove, fennel, cardamom, dill seed, cinnamon, chive seed, fenugreek, nutmeg just to name a few. Salt is the taste that nourishes the Kidneys, so add a good quality sea salt to your cooking, but not too much!
Stay warm, your Yang will Thank you!
Always wear socks, do not let your feet get cold. Weak Kidneys can present as lower back pain and or coldness/weakness of the lower limbs and knees so make sure to not let them be exposed to chill in winter. Very important for ladies, do not consume cold foods or let your lower abdomen get chilly, as this can create cold conditions for your reproductive health and hamper fertility and make for more painful menses. Bundle Up! Do not drink cold or iced beverages, or eat raw foods like salads and juices. The cold can hinder your digestive fire. Sip warm water throughout the day or hot herbal teas.
Reserve your Energy!
Now is the time to go to sleep early and rise later. Preserve your energy. Do not overexert yourself. Some exercise is great, but opt for more restorative practices during Winter such as Yin Yoga, Tai Chi, Qi Gong that focus on breath work and stillness. The Kidneys rule the psoas muscle, so any exercise such as Tao Yin Yoga that focuses on the strengthening and flexibility of the psoas will be extra good for you in winter. Meditations such as the Microcosmic Orbit can help you preserve and transform essence and Kidney Energy. Click here for a quick Qi Gong practice for your Kidneys!
Courtesy of: WayofJoyQigong on YouTube
Acupuncture & Herbal Therapy!
If you feel that you need some extra assistance and show signs that your Kidneys need a bit of a boost, Acupuncture & Herbal Therapy can make a world of difference for your health!
Perhaps you struggle with fertility issues or menopause for women or virility and sexual performance for men, lower back or knee pain, urinary difficulties, hearing loss or tinnitus, premature loss or greying of hair, or just want to age as gracefully as possible - a skilled practitioner can tailor an acupuncture and herbal strategy just for you.
Reach out to us at Luna Acupuncture & Apothecary to help you maintain your health and correct any imbalances through acupuncture, herbs, dietary guidance, movement practices, cupping, guasha, auriculotherapy and more. Nationally board certified in acupuncture and herbal medicine, licensed by the Texas Medical Board, certified instructor of Universal Tao and Tao Yin Yoga at your service, Jennifer Green, MSAOM, L.Ac. will provide qualified, knowledgeable and effective care for you.