Kidneys and the WInter in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine

  Tree of Life Acupuncture 

 Your Winter Health and Acupuncture   

 Winter in Acupuncture is for KIDNEYS

   

32 Union Square East, Suite #804, New York, NY 1003

   www.NewYorkAcupunctureCenter.com
   treeoflifeacupuncturepc@yahoo.com

  (212) 533-1192

    
Now that the holidays are over, we are left with a New Year's resolution. I hope that part of your resolution is to stay healthy and fit. Health is the most important aspect of our lives and we are rudely reminded of it when we get sick, stressed, depressed or do not sleep well. Best way to cultivate health is through prevention. People living in big cities like New York City get stressed more than an average suburban American. Regular exercises and proper food is something we all can do on daily basis.

Acupuncture is a great preventative medicine. Best time to get a treatment is when you do not have problems and come for maintenance (average person after 30 years of age about 2 x times a month).


Acupuncture does not only reduce pain, but also readjusts your whole body's energy. It calms and balances the mind, reduces stress, improves digestion and acts as anti-aging medicine allowing deeper sleep, better reproductive functions and greater DNA repair. As the new health law moves into effect, some insurance coverage changes. If you are covered by insurance, we can check your benefits and if not, you can buy our cost saving packages or use HSA or FSA.

Kidney energy in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine belongs to the Winter season. Kidneys are considered the main source of Yin and Yang energy. Kidneys rule reproductive organs, brain and bones to name a few. The color for the kidneys is black, taste is salty. (If you crave too much salt or avoid it all together than you may have a kidney imbalance.

Kidneys have a close relationship with the Heart. The element of Kidneys is water and is responsible for water metabolism. Heart is fire, so you want a balance of water and fire in the body. Some people are either too hot or too cold. Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs can help regulate the body temperature.

Kidneys control low back and if someone has chronic back pain, kidneys or its Yang pair Bladder channel is often chosen to treat it. Just like water can freeze (we are about 70% water) so can the human body and muscles can get cold and contract and cause more pain especially in the Winter. Acupuncture can address seasonal changes.

FOODS to EAT in the WINTER
Any food black in color or kidney shaped are good in the winter. Black Beans, kidney beans (most beans) 
Seeds: flex seeds, black sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, etc. Blackberries, blueberries.
Seafood: fish, shrimp, seaweed
Animal Products: pork, duck, lamb, eggs, cheese (all in moderation)
Nuts: walnuts, hestnuts etc.

   

Hot soups, especially made of root vegetables are great to keep you well nourished and warm. Soups are nutritious and prepare and warm up your digestive system for food consumption.

Animal Products: Pork, duck, lamb, eggs, cheese – Small amounts of animal protein can be used therapeutically here. Too much meat, particularly without the balance of vegetables, will stagnate the Liver and create heat. 

Bone-Marrow Broths and Soups: This will nourish Marrow governed by Kidneys. Especially beneficial for people wanting to prevent or heal osteoporosis.

Grains: Barley, Millet. These are both mildly cooling and nourishing.

Vegetables: Asparagus, Deep green leafy vegetables – Since it has diuretic properties, asparagus is especially helpful with opening the flow for those with dark, scanty urine. Deep green leafy vegetables build the Blood, and since Blood is a Yin fluid, they are highly recommended. Also moist vegetables such as cucumbers and celery are helpful.

Fruits and Melons: These are emphasized since they are moistening and mildly cooling. Too much fruit can be too cooling resulting in diarrhea, but 2-4 pieces of fruit a day should be fine.

Tonics: Spirulina, kelp, chlorella, wheatgrass – These mineral rich foods build the Blood which enhances Yin. They are also high in nucleic acids (RDA/DNA) which have been shown to reduce signs of aging.

Mineral rich herbs: Nettles, Oatstraw. Nettles is a gentle, cooling tonic that supports the Blood and Kidneys, while oatstraw strengthens the nerves.

Moistening herbs: Flax seed and black Sesame seeds could be used here too.

Chinese Herbs: Rehmannia root - often found in the patent formula used for Kidney Yin Deficiency. 

Be well,
Mark Moshchinsky, LAc (NCCAOM)
Licensed Acupuncturist in NYC
www.NewYorkAcupunctureCenter.com

Copyright 2014 Tree of Life Acupuncture, P.C. New York, NY All rights reserved.

This newsletter is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or cure. www.newyorkacupuncturecenter.com/disclaimer_privacy.html