February Self-Healing Tips

It's February, the middle of winter, and though the Los Angeles skies may be filled with sunshine more days than rain, it is still a good idea to be mindful of the ways of nature. Winter is a time to slow down, be quiet, go inside, and reflect. It is a time to consolidate and nourish yin, to protect the body and to preserve one's warmth. In Chinese medicine, the season of winter is ruled by the element Water. The organ systems associated with the Water element are the Kidney and the Urinary Bladder. In the winter it is important to support the Kidney as it is the root of all energies in the body.

Acupressure

There is an acupuncture point on the Kidney meridian called Zhao Hai, or Illuminating Sea. The name of this point, also known as Kidney 6, describes the brightness of fire shining on water. In Chinese medicine, the Heart is represented by Fire. Within the Heart resides the shen, or spirit. Water in Chinese medicine represents the Kidney, which is the source of a person's essence. By focusing the light of the Heart inward, the glow of consciousness allows us to see who we really are. We experience our true selves most deeply in the winter, when we use our minds to focus the luminosity of the Heart onto the sea of essence within the Kidney.

To find the acupuncture point, sit down and first locate the medial malleolus, the big knobby bone that sticks out on the inside of the ankle. Now trace a line with your fingertip from the place where the bone sticks out the farthest directly towards the heel of the foot. Kidney 6 is found in a depression about one finger-breadth (measure across the knuckle) below the outer-most tip of the medial malleolus along that line. Use your thumb, knuckle or fingertip to massage the point several times a day. Benefits of acupressure on this point include: calming anxiety and stress, soothing fatigue, benefiting bones, muscles, tendons, and sinews, alleviating tightness and soreness, especially on the inner aspect of the legs, benefiting the ankles, alleviating menstrual cramps, and regulating sleep patterns.

Suggestion: Massage Kidney 6 just before going to sleep to help fight insomnia and ensure a good night's sleep; when you wake, massage Kidney 6 again to feel refreshed and clear, ready to go about the day.

Chinese Herbal Medicine

Eating black sesame tahini is a wonderful way to strengthen the Kidney in the winter time. In Chinese medicine black sesame seed is called Hei Zhi Ma. Hei Zhi Ma nourishes Kidney Yin and tonifies blood. Because of this it may be said that this herb is wonderful for many benefits including lubricating the intestines, moistening dryness, keeping the hair from graying, strengthening tendons, ligaments, and bones, and treating dizziness.

This yummy spread can be found at Whole Foods or online at http://www.livingtreecommunity.com/ or http://www.naturesfirstlaw.com/.

Suggestion: Try spreading black sesame tahini on whole grain or sprouted bread. Toast the bread, then add a thin layer of black sesame tahini, finish it off with a light layer of raw organic honey, and sprinkle with shredded raw organic coconut flakes -- for breakfast, dessert, or an amazing afternoon snack.