Winter and the Kidneys

Before we know it winter will be upon us. Winter is the end of all seasons, a completion or wrapping up so to say. When we think of winter it is a time of going in, storage and personal contemplation. Many use winter as a time to meditate, rest, store physical energy or refine their spiritual essence. Just as the bear hibernates during the winter so do our bodies.Yin becomes predominate so the body's surface temperature cools taking the warmth into the core.Yin is in charge of all fluids in the body, it is passive, dark, cold and about contraction. All of which correspond to the winter energies.

Winter is ruled by the water element which is associated with the kidneys and bladder. The kidneys govern water metabolism and control the bladder. They are seen as the root or foundation of the body and open to the ears. The root is the foundation of yin and yang of the body so it is important to nourish the kidneys as they support the entire body. The emotion of the kidney is fear and the color is black. 

Salty and bitter foods are appropriate for supporting the kidney. They will promote centering and take the energy down which helps in the ability to store. It is important to not use salt in excess as it can weaken the kidneys and heart. Salty foods include miso, soy sauce, seaweeds, salt and millet. Bitter foods include lettuce, watercress, endive, escarole, turnip, celery, rye, oats, quinoa and amaranth. Bitter herbs include chicory root and burdock root. Small regular amounts of bitter foods are sufficient to support the kidneys and heart. When cooking foods they should be done with less water at lower temperatures for a longer period of time. Other foods such as hearty soups, whole grains, small dark beans, seaweeds and steamed winter greens are all beneficial.

*Pitchford, Paul, Healing with Whole Foods, Oriental Traditions and Modern Nutrition, Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books, 1993, p 314-316.