The forces of winter are considered to create water on earth, along with our kidney organs and bladder function.  These organs maintain our body's water metabolism and control.  The kidneys are also considered to contain the essence of our lives.  How healthy these are can determine our longevity and level of energy we have.  This energy is referred to as Qi or Jing essence and the preservation of our kidneys is essential in helping to provide warmth and energy.   Kidney/Bladder imbalances can also affect our bones, reproduction, ears, along with allowing our fears and insecurities to take hold.

These organs dislike cold, damp and wet conditions, so keeping them warm is essential to keeping the body in balance through Winter.  I remember my Mother telling me to keep my back warm and she’d always ensure my tops and jumpers were long enough to cover the Kidney area - (the lower back).  I wonder if she realised just how right she was? 

The cold and darkness can drive us to seek warmth.  This is the time where Hearty Soups, Slow cooked foods, wholegrains - like Porridge sound and smell good.  Adding a “little” sea salt to these foods is appropriate in Winter as salt promotes heat within the body.  Salty foods such as miso paste, soy sauce, seaweeds, millet and barley are good additions to your meals.  Combining the salt with bitter winter vegetables such as Cabbage, turnip, carrot, celery and green leafy vegies will help protect your heart from the extra salt.  Beans are another nourishing Winter food – have you ever noticed how kidney beans are shaped?  I often awe at Mother nature!

Emotionally the Winter or Water element is represented by the Yin qualities of introspection, wisdom and intuition. It’s a time where any fears or anxieties can be realised, reviewed and released to give our lives more harmonious flow.  It is also considered a time of death and decay, giving us the opportunity to release old energies, ideas, concepts or habits.  However, we can get stuck in this process, which leads to complaining, moaning and groaning, fears of failure and even deep depression.  Whilst it is appropriate to acknowledge and express these feelings as they arise, it must be remembered we need to release them too, so we are not going over and over old wounds.

This is why during Winter time, it is essential we aim to rest, conserve our energy (our Kidney Jing our life essence).  It's a time to contemplate, meditate, nurture ourselves and trust in the processes of this beautiful web of life.   Believe me, I know how much of a challenge this is for us what with work, children, relationships, families, and many other obstacles, but if it isn’t these obstacles it will be something else. It’s a matter of deciding, allowing and giving yourself permission to daydream, to nurture, to meditate, to listen for your wisdom and insights.  Those around you will benefit too, as you become more balanced.  This might mean going to bed just a ½ hour earlier, or having that Sunday arvo nap, or taking the kids to the park and meditating - on the bench – in Winter the grass might be wet! (You’ll be amazed at how tuned in your senses will be and you won’t need to have your eyes open to know what’s happening).  These are the types of things we need so we are able to realise, review and release our fears or anxieties. 

Winter’s cold weather can also bring with it Flu, Colds and coughs.  There are often four general stages to colds, however the initial symptoms can vary between individuals.  Sometimes colds also result in residual coughs which can also be treated.

1^st stage = inflammation of mucous membranes and pain ie sore throat, burning, heat, fever, or restlessness with little or no discharge.
2^nd stage = runny nose with clear or heavier mucous discharge, sneezing and there may be eye symptoms.
3^rd stage = discharge becomes thicker and changes from white to yellow.
4^th stage = discharge is now yellow to green.

There are a number of natural remedies which assist in alleviating and supporting the body’s healing process, to get through these cold or flu stages, while at the same time helping to strengthen the immune system and your vitality!

A brief list of some of the Homeopathic remedies I use are: Belladonna – high temperature, sudden onset, flushed face, Nat Mur - with Sneezing, Bryonia - great thirst, dry lips and nose, headache, Pulsatilla - bland thick yellow discharge, no thirst. Hepar Sulph - loose cough, sore throat. 

Other useful natural remedies are Vitamin C, herbs such as Echniacea or Olive leaf extract and tissue salts such as ferrum phos.  If you are unsure of what to do, it is best to seek the advice of a health professional. (Please remember if you are concerned or symptoms are not improving, even if you are under the care of a health professional, then please seek medical attention.)

Well thank you for taking the time to read this Winter Newsletter and I hope it helps you get through the rest of Winter - not long to go now.... 

I have also added another of my favorite recipes to the Recipe Page - Millet Casserole which is an easy, yummy and nutrient rich recipe, all in the one pot! I hope you enjoy.

With love and light,

Tania Parker.