Winter: the time of the Kidneys and Bladder
As we enter the most deeply Yin season, the Water season, there is an energetic basis of slowing down and pulling back, as our Qi flows more deeply inside us. There is a depth to winter that invites us to connect with the core of our being and untouched emotions. For some, the Qi of the season can easily contribute to depression, loneliness, and seasonal affective disorder. Others may feel relief for an opportunity to pause and do internal work.
The organs that correspond to the Water season are the Kidneys and Bladder. When the water element is in balance people are full of energy, have healthy sexual and reproductive abilities, and can stay warm. The kidneys are the source of all the yin and yang of the body. Water, the most nourishing and essential substance for life, this element holds our energetic reserves. Rest, in the winter, is absolutely crucial for this reason. Unfortunately, this time of year people can be prone to over-work and lack of sleep, which easily depletes the water element and the kidneys.
The wisdom of water is to flow; it moves effortlessly and fills the shape of whatever contains it. A balanced water element is able to move smoothly through the season with strength, courage, and willpower.
There is depth, darkness, and mystery to water. The emotion associated with the water element is fear. When appropriate, fear can be essential to survival; fear helps us to make decisions with care and caution. When the water element is out of balance, a person might experience excessive fear, phobias, and/or lack of courage.
Signs of Disharmony:
Bone Problems
Knee Pain
Low Back Pain
Teeth Troubles
Ear Problems
Hair Troubles
Urinary Problems
Sexual/Reproductive Problems
Premature Aging
Excess Fear/Insecurity
Suggestions for living in harmony with the Water season:
Activities: Deep breathing, Meditation, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Yoga, Discover and dissolve fear, Abolish insecurities, and Massage
Aim to maintain an appropriate balance between activity and rest. This is crucial to the health of the water element!
Focus on foods that share the qualities of the water element. Colors are dark, taste is salty, content is hydrating and nourishing. Examples include: nuts, seeds, legumes, shellfish, salt water fish, seaweed, dark colored berries, root vegetables, whole grains, stews and soups. We are also including mostly warm and cooked foods, and limiting cold and raw foods. Use warming spices like garlic, ginger, and cardamom.
Take care of your kidney and bladder acupuncture channels by keeping them warm and covered. Important acupuncture points along these channels are at the feet, knees, low back, and neck. By doing so it will help to keep you well physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Winter is time for internal work. Make more time to reflect on the past year, week, or day. Meditation, yoga, journaling, dreamwork, and breathwork are great winter activities. These activities can also help you to work through fear and depression.
Schedule an appointment! A seasonal tune-up will be restorative, deeply nourishing, and strengthening for your kidney Qi. Rest is the theme of the season, and your time on the treatment table will guarantee you that time for yourself.
Herbal Formula for Colds and Flus:
#6 Gan Mao Ling
Gan Mao Ling is a great option to help shorten the duration of your cold and have you feeling better asap!
This formula contains herbs with anti-viral properties, making it useful for coughs, flu, chills and fever, congestion and sneezing. In fact, it is the best-selling herbal remedy for colds in China.
Gan Mao Ling is typically taken to relieve body stress associated with the common cold and the flu. It is best to take as soon as you feel the first signs of a cold or flu coming on; especially if you are experiencing symptoms like a scratchy throat, feeling cold, and a runny nose. Overall this formula can help to reduce your symptoms and shorten the length of your cold!
Let us know if you would like to try out this formula by giving us a call/text at (512)775-4057, email us at lightfamilyacupuncture@gmail.com, or shop at our online store.
Located on the sole of the foot, Kidney 1 is the lowest acupuncture point on the entire body. This is a powerful and effective point to help ground the body and support the Kidneys. We consider this to be a great “home remedy” point because it responds well to pressure (think barefoot walking) or to a warm foot soak.
In Chinese Medicine, this point has been used to ‘return the unrooted back to its source’ or restore a conscious mind from an unsettled mind. Kidney 1 is a great point for someone who’s “in their head” and stuck in rattling or undirected thoughts, which in turn can disrupt sleep or cause an out of body or adrenal experience.
The point has a very strong downward moving action invites a settled mind and physical comfort, so that we can be a more powerful and compassionate version of ourselves.
KD 1’s translated name is Bubbling Spring as it is a powerful point that brings a SURGE of life force energy. It is used to treat: Loss of Consciousness, Dizziness, Back Pain, Infertility, to Calm the Spirit & relieves restlessness, to Ease Fear & Anxiety, to Clear the mind & aids memory, to Help Insomnia from agitation and/or fear.
Kidney 1 is located on the sole of the foot, in a slight depression created when the foot is pointed downward, about 1/3 of the distance between the tips of the toes and the heel.
You can stimulate this point by gently massaging it directly with your finger for 30 seconds while taking deep, grounding breaths.
