The months of winter (November 7 – February 3) correspond to the Water phase and the Kidney. In this season the life in all things is hidden. The weather turns cold. It is a season of storage, quietude, and recuperation.

Go to bed early and sleep late (until after the sun rises.) Keep your mind peaceful and your body warm. Avoid perspiring in the cold. Warm meals like vegetable soups with grains, beans, and root vegetables (e.g. carrots, onions, and turnips) are appropriate. Moderate amounts of garlic, ginger, and cayenne are beneficial when the climate is cold. Conserve your Qi now and you will be healthy in the spring. As always, meditation, tai chi, qigong, and yoga are beneficial.

Blessings and healthy regards…Mark Melchiorre, L. Ac.