WINTER 2014, Volume 2
The Year of the Horse
On January 31st we leave behind The year of the Water Snake. Keep in mind that the snake sheds its skin every year and in many cultures that represents transformation and a new beginning.
We are entering The Year of the Horse and from my research it appears that Horse represents a wild, independent and free-spirited energy. It is more about listening to the inner voice and instincts than pondering and obsessing over decisions. If a new compelling opportunity presents itself, this could be the year to leap over the high jump and embrace change.
This is a great time to focus on those that we love because the Chinese lantern festival – observed on the 15th day of the Lunar New Year and known as the Chinese Valentine’s Day – falls on the same day as Valentine’s Day this year.
We are deep in winter and in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) this is the season of the kidney where the essential life force is stored. The kidney is considered the Gate of Vitality and is the residence of Yin and Yang.
The kidney energy is responsible for growth, development, bone strength, bone marrow health, and reproduction. The brain is considered the sea of marrow and is also ruled the kidney. The kidney regulates fluid metabolism; opens in the ear, maintains and nourishes healthy hair, and strong sexual function. The kidney is also responsible for willpower and motivation. One ancient school of Chinese Medicine focused on guarding and cultivating the kidney essence as the critical factor for maintaining health throughout one’s life. Water is the element of the kidney and too much cold can injure the kidney energy. The kidneys need a little salt, but too much weakens them.
Often in the winter if the kidney is depleted one is more likely to experience fear. The kidneys need foods that nourish both both the yin and yang energies. Deep purples and blues are the color of the kidney and foods with those colors are generally nourishing for the kidneys. It turns out these foods are high in a polyphenol called anthocyanin. Anthocyanin is a potent antioxidant and may offer anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-cancer benefits.
Avoid ice cold drinks especially in the winter. When cold hits the stomach, the yang energy from the kidney is pulled on to warm the fluid so it can be assimilated. Over time this depletes the Kidney yang.
Some other foods that nourish the kidney include: black beans, kidney beans, bone marrow broths, kimchee and sauerkraut, walnuts, black sesame, shrimp, fish and seaweeds.
People often ask me if positive affirmations or positive thoughts can help with healing. In my experience this is most effective when we relax and do the affirming and visualizing from a place of kindness towards ourselves. A practice I recommend is to pay attention to the subtle changes that occur when we recover from an illness. For example if you get a cold, notice as the symptoms of discomfort and congestion go away. Watch a cut form a scab and then disappear. Somehow our bodies know how to do this. We are naturally drawn to notice what is wrong, but when we appreciate and acknowledge healing and wellness, we dig a well that we can draw on at more challenging times.
So how can we access that place of healing when we journey through a serious illness? I recommend setting aside time every day and focus on something that helps you feel good. Remember that even when you are ill something essential within you is still whole and complete. Nothing can destroy that.
“What makes the desert beautiful,’ said the little prince, ‘is that somewhere it hides a well…”
― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince
All the best in this New Year.
For more information please call our office at 303 442-0306
The information in this newsletter is not intended to replace the relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge from research and experience of B. Mahler, LAc.
Barbara A. Mahler, LAc has practiced
Traditional Oriental Medicine
and Nutrition since 1987.
For more information please contact Barbara.