Winter: The Kidneys, Cold, and the Water element

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In Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, there are five elements: fire, earth, wood, water, and metal. Each of these is associated with certain organs, seasons, emotions, tastes, smells, sounds, and can help us to understand and relate to the world around us and to see the inter-connection in our world.

Winter is the season of the Water element. The organ’s associated are the Kidneys and Bladder, the colour is deep blue/black, the emotions are fear and shock, and their climate is cold.  

Winter is a time for retreat, stillness, and conserving energy. The days are shorter, the nights are longer, and everything in nature slows down; inviting us to do the same. Rather than pushing forward, winter calls us to turn inward and replenish our reserves.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Kidneys are seen as the root of our vitality and fertility. They store our Jing (Essence - a precious resource we are born with and gradually use throughout life), which governs growth, development, fertility, and longevity. During winter, this precious energy is more easily depleted by the cold, making it a season where the Kidneys are particularly vulnerable, and therefore especially important to protect.

Winter has a way of revealing where our reserves run low. If your hands and feet are often cold, if warmth feels hard to hold onto, or if the chill of the season settles into your lower back or knees, your Kidney energy may be calling out for care.

The Kidneys: Our Energy Bank

The Kidneys in Chinese medicine are so much more than their anatomical function. They are seen as the foundation of vitality, governing growth, reproduction, aging, and our ability to adapt to stress. I sometimes think of the Kidneys in TCM as encompassing both the organ as well as our adrenals (the glands that sit on the kidney’s and are essential for many hormonal functions).  

When we live in sync with the seasons and rest more deeply during winter, we help preserve and protect our Jing (Essence). But when we push through with the same pace as summer or spring, we risk depleting these stores, which can show up as burnout, hormonal issues, lower back pain, weak immunity, or premature aging.

Signs Your Kidney Energy May Be Low:

  • Feeling fatigued despite sleeping well

  • Cold hands and feet

  • Low back or knee pain

  • Frequent urination or weak bladder

  • Poor libido or fertility issues

  • Anxiety, fearfulness, or lack of drive

  • Premature greying or thinning hair

  • Thyroid issues

  • Poor temperature regulation (including night sweats) 

Living in Harmony with Winter

Winter invites us to embrace stillness, warmth, and nourishment. Here are some gentle seasonal practices to support your Kidneys and honour the Water element:

  • Sleep more: longer nights are nature’s signal to rest. Allow yourself earlier bedtimes, and don’t feel guilty for wanting to hibernate a little — your body is doing important repair work while you rest.

  • A Time to Gather Strength: Winter isn’t about doing nothing — it’s about doing less of what drains you, and more of what replenishes you. By aligning with the wisdom of the season, you’re not falling behind — you’re preparing your body and spirit for the growth and action that will naturally follow in spring

  • Keep your lower back and feet warm: this helps protect the Kidney area and supports circulation. A hot water bottle or warming herbal liniment over the lower back can feel especially restorative.

  • Eat warming, mineral-rich foods: think slow-cooked stews, broths, black beans, root vegetables, miso soup, seaweed, walnuts, and warming spices like cinnamon and ginger. Avoid excess cold or raw foods that can weaken the digestive fire.

  • Honour the Water element: water is about flow, reflection, and depth. Spend time journaling, meditating, or simply being in silence. Water also governs fear, so this is a powerful time to gently explore and face any underlying worries or emotional patterns with compassion.

  • Support from Chinese medicine: winter is a wonderful time to nourish your Kidney energy with acupuncture, herbal medicine, and tonic formulas. I often see clients this time of year who are feeling tired, burnt out, or just intuitively know they need to slow down (even if they choose to ignore those little prompts!). Treatment can help replenish what’s been depleted and build a strong foundation for spring and summer.

 Let yourself rest. Let yourself be. Your Kidneys — and your future self — will thank you. Winter is the ideal time to nourish and support this organ system, so we emerge into spring strong and resilient.