Traditional Chinese Medicine Tips on staying healthy in winter from Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor Doris Rathgeber, founder of Body & Soul Medical Clinics.

1. Shanghai family 19
by Doris Rathgeber
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Tips on staying healthy in winter from
Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor Doris Rathgeber,
founder of Body & Soul Medical Clinics.
For a reFresher on some of the concepts
referred to here, see last month’s primer on
Recommended Food
Traditional Chinese Medicine “Ladies First” in Winter
(Nov. ’09, p.22 or shfamily.com). This month we To nourish qi during the winter months, TCM
continue on with some tips on staying healthy recommends particular warming foods to keep
through the winter, TCM style. that qi flow active. Avoid raw foods during the
The ancient Chinese believed that people should winter as much as possible as these tend to
live in harmony with the natural cycles of their cool the body.
environment. So it follows that since cold and TCM recommends these foods for
darkness urges us to slow down, then winter is wintertime health:
the season to reflect on our health, conserve
our strength and replenish our energy. | Soups, stews
Winter is the yin season in nature – inactive, | Root vegetables
cold and damp. So Traditional Chinese Medicine | Beans, lentils
(TCM) recommends remaining introspective and
restful during the winter months, consolidating | Garlic, ginger and cinnamon
energy (qi) and preparing for the new life and | Tea, hot water
energy of spring.
| Lamb, beef
Out of the five elements, winter is ruled by the
water element which is associated with the Eating warm hearty soups, whole grains and
kidneys. According to TCM philosophy, the roasted nuts help to warm the body’s core.
kidneys are considered the source of all qi within Going to bed early, resting well, staying warm
the body. They store all of the reserve qi so it and expending less energy than in summer also
can be used to handle stress or change; to heal helps maintain health through the winter.
or prevent illness; and to age gracefully. According to TCM, stress, frustration and
Winter is the time when kidney qi can be most unresolved anger can work together to weaken
easily depleted so it’s important to nurture and the immune system and allow external factors
nourish it now. Interestingly, your body will to affect the body.
naturally help you in this process. During cold TCM offers a variety of preventative treatments
winter months, the human body instinctively that can work together with diet to maintain
expresses the fundamental principles of winter wintertime health such as massage,
– rest, reflection, conservation and storage. acupuncture, regular herbal formulas and of
course gao fang – the nourishing (and palatable!)
syrup produced from 40 herbs custom-made
for each patient.
Visit Body & Soul Medical Clinics at
www.bas-shanghai.com