3 Chinese Medicine Winter Wellness Tips and a Recipe

In Chinese Medicine, the organs associated with winter are the Kidneys and Bladder. They are like your batteries and store your energy. During treatment we check your pulse to feel your “battery levels”.

The Kidneys (Chinese Medicine) store vital life energy. They also influence such things as reproduction, brain, bone health fluid secretions and emotions like anxiety, fear and courage. Overworked kidneys may manifest as anxiety, infertility, adrenal or chronic fatigue, low back pain, weak knees, urination issues and others.

Some examples of balanced Kidneys and Bladder is when you:

• Have will-power

• Can manage your stress levels

• Are fertile and have a healthy, balanced sex life

• Get quality, regular sleep

• Have healthy brain function

• Have a strong and stable back and knees

The main causes of Kidneys and Bladder imbalances are stress and overactivity. Other things that tax them are drugs, too much alcohol, poor food quality or eating habits, overwork, too much physical activity, and lack of sleep and relaxation.

Winter is the best time to slow down and refrain from too much activity, sleep more, eat more and get to know yourself better to replenish and nourish your Kidneys and Bladder.

3 Winter Wellness Tips to Stimulate Your Kidneys and Bladder

1. Simply sit quietly. Find a place to sit quietly free of distraction, even for a 1 minute. Take long, deep breaths in and out your nose or sigh out the mouth. Build up to at least 5 minutes. Do this everyday.

2. Place a hot water bottle on your back or feet before bed. This is good if you have back pain or a tendency to have cold hands and feet. Practice as often as you like.

3. Enjoy cooked, warm nourishing foods and warm teas that are already broken down and easily absorbed by your body. Avoid eating cold and raw food or drinking lots of cold fluids that require more of your body’s energy to process and digest.

Here’s a simple rice porridge called congee that not only is warm and nourishing but could help heal your gut:

Simple Chicken Congee
(Serves 4)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups sushi or jasmine rice

• 4 chicken drumsticks

• 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, wiped with a wet towel (optional)

• 5 quarts water or chicken stock

• 2 teaspoons pink Himalayan salt

• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh ginger

• 1 tablespoon coconut oil or ghee

• Chopped ginger, scallions, gluten-free tamari, or coconut aminos, and dark sesame oil (optional, but adds flavor)

Method:

1. In a large pot, combine the rice, chicken, mushrooms (if using), water or stock, and sea salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then immediately reduce to medium-low.

2. Gently simmer, uncovered, for about an hour, or until the rice is soft, the broth is thickened into a porridge-like consistency, and the chicken is tender.

3. Remove the chicken to a medium mixing bowl and pull the meat from the bones using two forks. Discard the bones and return the chicken to the pot along with the ginger. Cook for 5 minutes more.

4. Stir the coconut oil or ghee into the congee. Serve the congee alongside additional chopped ginger, scallions, gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos, and dark sesame oil for added flavor.

(From: https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/congee-uses-ancient-traditional-chinese-medicine-to-reset-your-gut)

Sources: Winter Oriental Yoga: Yoga for the Seasons by Michael Hetherington LAc, RYT