Winter: The Energetics and Theory According to Chinese Medicine
Winter. A time characterized by hibernation and withdrawing inward. Winter is the peak of Yin. In Chinese Medicine, the winter season is described as “yin within yin”. Winter is dark, cold and slow - and seeing how civilizations used to live in accordance to what nature mirrored to them - humanity would embrace these traits during this season.
Winter is associated with the Kidneys, so nurturing the kidneys during the winter is of utmost importance.
Let’s look at the following energetics of Winter:
The function and importance of the Kidneys
The most supporting foods for this season
What to minimize or avoid
Bone broth recipe
KIDNEY SEASON
Winter is the most active time for the kidneys, so let’s take a moment to understand their functions as it relates to Chinese Medicine.
The kidneys:
Store our essence
Govern birth, growth, reproduction and development
Produce marrow and contributes to bone health
Our kidneys are responsible for our most basic and fundamental energy, which is known as our essence. We are all born with a finite amount of this essence, however, we supplement this finite amount by our lifestyle choices; ie our diet, stress load, sleep hygiene, etc. Therefore, it is the most important to nurture and support the kidneys so that we may best protect our essence.
WINTERTIME FOODS
Below is a short list of foods to incorporate daily to nourish your kidneys. Using color therapy with food is a wonderful way to quickly choose food to support certain organs. Winter time is related to the color Black. So choosing black or purple foods will help support the kidneys.
Apples
Beets
Burdock Root
Chicory Root
Carrots
Eggplant
Fennel
Garlic
Leeks
Miso
Oranges
Parsnips
Pumpkin
Rhubarb
Seaweeds
Sweet Potato
Turnip
Check out a more comprehensive list here.
ACTIVITIES TO MINIMIZE
The things that we don’t do can be just as important as the things we do, so let’s take a deeper dive into what things we should limit during winter.
Excess salt intake. Salt is the flavor of the kidneys, therefore too much salt during the winter can injure the kidneys.
Not enough water. Water is the element of the kidneys, so while many activities lighten during the winter, our water intake should not be one of them.
Anything in excess. This is vague but hopefully you understand the sentiment. The winter is a time of conservation. If our kidneys govern our most basic and fundamental energy, our essence, then our kidneys deserve to rest. The reason behind hibernation is to conserve energy so that when spring blooms, we have the energy we need to sustain us through the remainder of the year.
Stress. Allow your nervous system to decompress as best you can.
NOURISHING BONE BROTH
One of my favorite ways to support the kidneys, and just overall health is homemade bone broth. And if you don’t have time to make your own, don’t fret! I’ve got options for you.
Ingredients:
1 cooked chicken carcass, meat removed.
1 white onion, quartered
2-3 carrots, peeled and cut in half
2-3 celery stalks, cut in half
4 garlic cloves, cut in half
1 bay leaf
1 tbsp turmeric, ground
3 one-inch pieces of ginger, fresh
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1/2 tsp black peppercorns, whole
1 1/2 tsp sea salt
water to fill the pot
Instructions:
Step 1: In a 6 quart slow cooker, add all ingredients plus enough filtered water to cover, leaving about 1 inch from the top.
Step 2: Set slow cooker on low and let simmer for 12-24 hours. The longer the better.
Step 3: Strain the broth through a fine-mesh strainer, and discard the remaining contents.
Step 4: Pour into glass containers and allow to cool to room temperature prior to placing in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 5 days, and frozen up to 6 months. Either use as a base for soups or enjoy a cup daily!
NOW, for those hoping to buy bone broth, here are a few great and trusted resources:
Perfect Supplements Organic Free Range Chicken Bone Broth. This is in powdered form, which you can easily add to soups or quickly make your own cup.
Bonafide Provisions Organic Bone Broth
Or support your local organic and regenerative farmers and farmers markets.