In Traditional Chinese Medicine, winter is the time when Yin energy (陰) is at its peak—a season for storing and conserving energy. The body needs more warmth and nourishment than usual. Winter health care focuses on maintaining warmth, nourishing the kidneys, and strengthening Yang energy.
Winter foods should have warming properties: ginger, garlic, black pepper, cinnamon, bone broth, lamb, and stewed dishes. Avoid cold foods and drinks, ice cream, and very cooling fruits like watermelon, oranges, and tomatoes which can deplete your body's warmth.
Winter lifestyle practices: sleep earlier and wake later (following the sun), keep warm especially around the waist, abdomen, and feet. Avoid excessive exercise that causes heavy sweating, as this depletes Yang energy. Always drink warm water.
Nourishing the kidneys is crucial in winter, as the kidneys are related to Yang energy and energy storage. Kidney-nourishing foods include black beans, black sesame, walnuts, and oysters. Moxibustion on Ming Men and Guan Yuan points also effectively strengthens kidney energy.
Those with chronic health conditions should be especially careful in winter. Joint and back pain may worsen, and those with weak immunity should guard against colds. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can help strengthen the body and prevent illness during this season.