According to Chinese Medicine, the changing of the seasons directly influences the vital functions of all living things. We, as living beings, can remain in harmony with our environment by actively taking measures to prevent disease and maintain good health and longevity.
How to live in accordance with the seasons based on Chinese Medicine principles.
Winter
Winter is an inward, reflective and rejuvenating time when Nature is resting, withdrawn and roots are drawn deep into the earth, preparing for Spring. According to Chinese Medicine, Winter is related to the element of Water.
The kidneys, which deal with the body’s fluid metabolism, are the organs associated with the Water element and Winter season. In Chinese Medicine, the kidneys control the life force energy, store our vitality and longevity, govern growth and development, support reproduction and maintain healthy bones.
Winter’s power is deep and contracting (yin). Winter is ascribed as the most Yin time of year. It is a time to conserve energy and resources and not be wasteful with your active, outward (yang) energy. You need special care in the form of nutrition, warmth and rest and it is important to have a cosy spot to relax, sleep and dream.
Winter Diet
Chinese Medicine encourages eating appropriately with the seasons. The weather is cold so a diet that produces more heat is necessary. The Winter diet should be warming and substantial, with more slow-cooked foods such as soups, broths, stews and congees. Drinks should be warming and try to avoid refrigerated drinks.
In Winter, it is appropriate to drink a small amount of spirits or wine to promote circulation, stimulate the appetite, relieve tiredness and guard against the cold.
Foods to include in the Winter Diet:
- Vegetables need to be eaten daily, either steamed or baked.
- Root vegetables such as carrots, turnips, onions, parsnips and potatoes.
- Garlic and fresh ginger root are warming and pungent promoting energy circulation and dispersing cold.
- Cooked wholegrains such as rye, millet and buckwheat are good body heaters.
- Beans such as kidney beans, adzuki beans, mung beans, black beans or lentils nourish and strengthen the kidneys.
- Occasional chicken and red meat can be beneficial as red meat stimulates and brightens up the blood, heart and complexion and is a great building food.
Winter Exercise
Winter is a good time to do indoor exercises, with internally rejuvenating practices like yoga, tai chi, qi gong and meditative breathing relaxation. These practices keep your spine and other joints flexible and mobile and maintain efficient energy circulation. It is important to minimise exposure to cold and windy wintery weather.
Tips for a Healthy Winter
Keep yourself warm. We want to avoid too much warmth escaping our body via the skin and we want to prevent the cold from penetrating our bodies. It’s important to rug up as our mother’s always instructed!
Traditional Cold remedy
If you get wet or feel a cold coming on, take 25g of fresh sliced ginger and the white parts of 2 spring onion stalks and boil in water for 10 minutes. Drink the liquid (at least 2 cups), rug up in bed and sweat it out. A cold with a runny nose can be treated with lemon in warm water because the lemon is astringent and should ease the runny nose. A sore throat can be relieved by a tablespoon of salt in warm water, gargled three times a day.
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