The heart of winter

Hello readers, old and new!

We are in the heart of winter, and I’m curious to know how it’s going for you.

In Chinese medicine, winter is associated with the water element. Chinese medicine teaches us that all aspects of our lives ideally relate in harmony with nature, and winter is the time of reflection, replenishment, and rest. The kidneys and bladder are the organs and channels associated with the water element and this time of year, along with fear. The kidneys and bladder are a yin-yang pair, and they are related through interconnected functions.

Chinese medicine teaches us that the kidneys are the foundation of life, often likened to the body's “pilot light.” They produce and store jing - life essence - derived from inheritance (our parents) and sustained by diet and lifestyle.

Western medicine sees the kidneys as filters for waste and excess water, regulating fluid balance and blood pressure.

Similarly, Chinese medicine emphasizes the kidneys' role in water metabolism, respiratory support, reproduction, and bone health, linking kidney strength to the condition of bones and marrow. When we about what we need the kidneys to do, we can think about blood, bones, hormones, and digestion.

The energy of the kidneys also supports digestive processes, which involve the function and responsibility of the spleen and stomach. When kidney yang is weak, it cannot adequately power the digestive organs, potentially leading to spleen qi deficiency and the accumulation of dampness within. Kidney yin often refers to the hormones at what we call the constitutional level of the body.

There are many ways we can support our kidneys with herbs and foods. Perhaps in this second half of winter, you can tune in to the needs of your kidneys and hold this thought in the front of mind when you’re at the grocery store.

Foods that are supportive for the kidneys include:

• Eggs (including yolks!)

• Cooked meats (especially small amounts of pork) and bone broths

• Black sesame seeds

• Beans

• Nuts (dry roasted)

• Seeds

• Mushrooms

Stimulants will stress and strain the adrenal function of the kidneys, so it is best to avoid caffeine and sugar.

It is interesting to notice the contrast in the way Chinese medicine encourages rest, quietness, and reflective moments in winter, while our modern lifestyles urge us to amp up our busyness. For many, the winter involves getting the house ready for holiday guests, crunching numbers and tax estimates in business, a frantic shopping spree for gifts, or a strenuous week of finals in school.

I don’t mean to say that these parts of life are always bad, but if you are experiencing what feels like an uptick in your hustle-and-bustle requirement in life right now, I encourage you to strategically choose a few ways to prioritize restoration. Focus on cooking meals at home and getting in bed earlier.

Over the holiday time, I pressed pause on this newsletter to turn inward and embrace some of the quiet, reflective aspects of winter. Holidays also tend to be challenging for me, at least historically, so each year I try to create more space. It is still a work in progress. We are still in this yin season, but I am inspired to continue communicating with you through these weekly notes. I hope you continue to find meaningful and thoughts and information here throughout 2025.

As a reminder, you are always welcome to respond directly to these emails if you have a question, want to make a comment, or need to schedule a session. 🤍 🙂

Warmest,

Artemisia

Artemisia O’bi, MA - Clinical Herbalist | Chinese Medicine

innervillagehealth.com @innervillagehealth

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