During Winter takes extra care of the Kidney and Bladder Meridians. These Meridians do much more than just Kidney and Bladder “stuff”. They take care of the spine, ears, head hair, brain, reproduction/sex, joints, knees and feet. The Bladder Meridian starts at the eye and goes up over the head, down along the spine, back of the leg to the outside of the foot by the little toe.
When the Kidney Qi is strong, a person is fearless, determined, and can endure many hardships in pursuit of their goals. Persevering by will power is characteristic of those with strong Kidney Qi. Longevity is also considered to be associated with healthy Kidney Qi, signified by large, elongated ear lobes, like those of the Buddha.
When the Kidney Qi is weak, there can be problems with water metabolism, urination, fertility, or sexuality. This person could be anxious, fearful, and withdrawn, and in more severe cases, phobic.
Kidney Qi declines with aging. There may be diminished hearing or ringing in the ears. In menopause, the Kidney yin declines, which is associated with classic signs of heat and dryness – hot flashes, night sweats, dry skin and mucous membranes. Kidney yang weakness is associated with cold – cold extremities, cold back and belly, declining sexual vigor, urinary frequency or incontinence.
The kidney and urinary bladder meridians are considered the water element. As a result, these meridians can be treated with water elements and hold the nature of water in many ways.
By being able to be treated with water, these meridians can be tonified (strengthened) or sedated (weakened) using the element of water. All primary meridians contain points that are considered water points. Using the Five Element Theory, these water points can be used for many functions, including affecting the kidney and urinary bladder meridians.
Additionally, being surrounded by the water element is believed to strengthen the kidney and urinary bladder meridians and thus strengthen their functions.
You can help your health and problems with the Water Meridians by rubbing your feet. Start at the bottom up around the ankle bones, move to the inside ankle bone. Rubbing along your spine and on your head to the eyebrows will help the Bladder Meridian. Rub your foot for about one minute and move to the next foot. You can’t do it wrong or miss the points – there are many Acupoints on the feet. For low back pain or kidney bladder problems: sit on a chair and rub your low back up and down for a minute.
Foods to help your Bladder Meridian are: grapes, pears, strawberries, watermelon, celery, eggplants, chives, raspberries, water chestnuts, green beans, walnuts, carrots, lettuce and onions.
Foods to help your Kidney Meridian are: black sesame seeds, celery, chives, clams, caraway seeds, dill, plums, pork, string beans, tangerines, walnuts. For kidney stones eat star fruits and walnuts; for kidney weakness eat kidney beans and sweet potatoes.
Foods for the Winter Season are: artichokes, barley, clams, crabs, millet, oysters and seaweed. If you are on a restricted diet and cannot eat one of the above foods – don’t.
The emotions for the season are fear and anxiety. Remember to breathe – in deeply,
Sources Here, Here, and Here
