Tao of Winter

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views life as the interplay between five elemental energies: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. Each element characterizes one of the five types of energies that interact to create, sustain and transform life (see chart below). TCM recognizes that there are both internal and external factors that contribute to disease. Some examples of internal disease agents would be emotions, stress and genetic factors. External factors would be diet, weather, activity level, pathogens, trauma, and “wrong treatment”. All of the internal and external factors stress our ability to maintain homeostasis, therefore contributing to illness. As the seasons change new elemental energies become dominant. To maintain health we need to be aware of our changing environment throughout the seasons and learn how to adapt. Taking the right action at the right time is the essence of Taoist living, or living in tune with nature.

Different types of weather are divided among the five elements as follows: wind (wood), heat (fire), humidity (earth), dryness (metal) and cold (water). As we near the end of autumn and the beginning of winter we are in the Metal/Water phase. Dryness and cold are the climatic factors we currently need to buffer to keep the body in a healthy state of homeostasis.

The Metal characteristic of dryness is severe in southern California. Our climate, which is just one step away from being a certifiable desert, greatly stresses the skin, lungs and immune system. Dry skin, allergies, colds, flus and disorders of the skin and mucous membranes often flare up or worsen during the fall. To enhance our ability to handle the drying, immune-stressing nature of the Metal element we can:

Exercise to improve tissue oxygenation and immunity
Utilize The Hall Center’s Far Infrared Sauna to boost immunity and detoxify the tissues, organs and skin
Use dry skin brushing to remove old layers of skin
Use a non-toxic organic body lotion (available at The Hall Center) to hydrate and protect the skin
Supplement with Essential Fatty Acids and Antioxidants to protect the skin as well as the cell membranes
Take an immune boosting supplement such as Tegricel (colostrum), Immunitone (which contains the herbs echinacea, goldenseal and astragalus, medicinal mushrooms and beta glucan) or have a Chinese herbal formula blended specifically for your symptoms

Drink water! Especially high quality spring water or filtered water with electrolytes added back in to “soften” the water making it more easily absorbed. To soften the water use high quality unrefined sea salt, a squeeze of lemon or lime juice or, for the ultimate in alkaline mineral water, try the Jupiter water purifier and alkalizer (samples in The Hall Center waiting room).

As fall transforms into winter the Water element is characterized by cold and darkness. Our neighbors to the North may laugh at what we call winter; however, weak heaters and poor insulation can cause our buildings and homes to be quite chilly. Heavier foods are said to “thicken the blood”. Increasing your consumption of organic grass fed meats and wild fish can be helpful at this time. Also, many teas can have a warming effect on the body, such as cinnamon, ginger and ginseng. Slow cooked foods, such as soups and crock pot meals are known in TCM to be more warming when eaten.

Less light, due to the short days of winter, stresses our brain chemicals resulting in lower levels of serotonin, our feel good molecule. For many this means seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression due to the lack of daylight. During the winter many can benefit from boosting serotonin levels with 5-HTP, an amino acid that is naturally turned into serotonin.

Characteristics of the Water element are depth and stillness, so it is understandable that many experience some degree of depression during the winter. However, the deep energy of Water can be used constructively to increase ones self-awareness. When we are willing to be introspective and bring light (awareness) to the deep and dark parts of ourselves, the reward is a greater understanding of ourselves and our place in the world.

Physically, the Water element relates to the kidneys, adrenals, brain, bones and reproductive organs. Historically, diet is heavier in the winter. The heavier diet, containing more fish, animal protein and healthy fats, is deeply nourishing. Soups and broths containing easily digested protein and minerals are perfect winter foods for nourishing the deepest tissues in the body.

Here are some tips to staying healthy this winter:
Stay warm with cinnamon tea (try Good Earth Original – caffeine free) and nourishing soups.
Raise your happy factor (serotonin) with 150-200mg of 5HTP before bed. It will help you sleep and, after a few days, you may notice your spirits are higher. If you are taking a mood altering medication, schedule an appointment with one of our doctors before starting 5-HTP.
Meditate. Winter is the perfect time to know thyself. If you need a little help learning to meditate or moving through an area of resistance, try private yoga or Core Transformation, both available at The Hall Center.
Acupuncture has been proven through published research to raise serotonin and increase immune cells. This means acupuncture can help make you happier, more relaxed, and boost your immune system. Who doesn’t need that? Read more at http://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=acupuncture+serotonin+natural+killer&hl=en&lr=&btnG=Search

Healing is not complete when our symptoms go away. Resolution of symptoms is the first step. Learning how to adapt to our environment season-to-season, as well as moment-to-moment creates a greater degree of physical and psychological health. Through better understanding the qualities of the five elements we can take the “right actions” for maintaining optimal health this winter.

This information is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to treat or diagnose any health condition.