We hope everyone had a great
Thanksgiving and if you celebrated Chanukah that it was warm and
joyful!
As the autumn gives way to winter, the
energy moves from the metal element into the water element. In our
bodies that relates to the meridians of Kidney and Bladder.
5 elements chart from Wiki Commons
This fall at the Birch Center we were
able to help lots of people manifesting weakness in the Metal
element: asthma, pneumonia, allergies, colds and flu. As we move to
the next element in the cycle – water, which relates to the Kidney,
we still may see some of that, as the two elements are closely
connected and the Kidneys have the specific function of “grasping
the qi” after the lungs take the breath. People may continue to see
flare ups in asthma and other lung issues as the energy moves deeper
into our bodies to connect with the water element.
The kidneys govern growth and
development, any developmental issues can be supported by supporting
the kidney energy. This goes for children as well as adults and
elderly: issues we often associate with age: memory loss, dizziness,
hot flashes, weakened bones/osteoporosis, insomnia, ringing in
ears/tinnitus can all be helped by supporting the kidney energy with
acupuncture, food choices and herbal medicine.
Other issues associated with the kidneys include
- back and knee pain
- teeth weakness (cavities)
- bone weakness (osteoporosis)
- diabetes especially Type 1 (Type 2 is associated with the Earth energy as well as Water)
- hair loss and premature graying of hair
- endocrine imbalance including thyroid
- reproductive and fertility issues
- all issues
relating to the brain such as development and memory.
At the Birch Center we can treat these
conditions, support and strengthen the water element/kidneys with
acupuncture, herbal medicine and dietary suggestions.
The water
element follows the Bladder meridian from the eye up over the head,
down the back in two lines touching on all the organ systems: the inner line accesses physical aspects of that organ system the outer the mental and spiritual, down the back of knee and legs, outside the
ankle then connecting to the Kidney at the bottom of the foot,
running back up the kidney meridian on the inside of the ankle and
leg, up the front of the abdomen to the collar bone, where it enters
the body more deeply as well as connects to the next meridian organ
system, the Pericardium.
During acupuncture treatments we
commonly needle points on the back and ankle to access and strengthen
the water element. This powerful element is said to be the root of
all yin and yang in the body.
Now is a great time to come in for an
acupuncture tune-up to bring the body back into balance and
alignment as the seasons shift and the energy moves from one element
to the other. A balancing acupuncture treatment helps the transition flow smoothly and any subtle
weaknesses in the organ systems can often be overcome by a simple
relaxing acupuncture session.
In blog entries throughout December and
into the winter, we'll discuss
- Chinese herbal and Western botanical treatments for the water element to strengthen the kidneys
- Sea vegetables and other foods like black beans which benefit and strengthen the kidneys
- Other ways to strengthen the kidneys and support the all important water element of our bodies
Stay tuned to the blog and enjoy the holiday
season! You can follow our blog by getting each post sent directly to your inbox by subscribing to the box on the top of the right margin. And don't forget to sign up
for our monthly newsletter!
If you are interested in foraging for wild foods, check out
Birch Center acupuncturist Melissa Sokulski's new ebook: Winter Foraging Holiday Feasting, for great ideas, color photos and
fantastic healthy vegan recipes. This book identifies over 25 common
edible plants easily found in winter with information on how to
harvest and prepare them
.
Happy Holidays!~ David and Melissa Sokulski
