Immunity & Winter Wellness in Chinese Medicine
How to thrive this Winter
As the days grow shorter and the temperature drops, it's time to slow down, snuggle up and give your body the extra love it needs to thrive through winter. ❄️🧣🍲
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), winter is the season of the Kidneys and Bladder, your deep energy reserves. It’s a time for rest, repair, and rebuilding your inner strength. Let’s dive into how you can support your health this season—from food to lifestyle, herbs, Acupuncture, and more!
What Does Winter Mean in Chinese Medicine?
Winter is associated with the Water element 💧
Governs the Kidney and Bladder organs—your core energy, fertility, bones, brain, and ageing
A time of Yin: stillness, rest, reflection, and replenishment
Encourages inward focus—perfect for early nights, journaling, and slow-cooked meals in your cosy home 🔥
When you're in sync with the season, your body thrives. When you're not? You might notice signs like:
Acupuncture for calm minds & well bodies
How Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Can Help Energy and the Nervous System
Chinese medicine isn’t just about balancing energy—it’s deeply supportive of your body’s natural rhythms. In winter, treatment focuses on:
Nourishing your Kidney Qi and Jing (essence)
Supporting your immune system
Boosting your resilience and energy reserves
Helping your nervous system reset from stress and burnout
💆♀️Acupuncture sessions in winter are deeply restorative and calming—think of them as energetic tune-ups to keep your inner fire burning gently through the cold months.
What Chinese Medicine can help with in Winter
Low energy or fatigue
Improving immunity & reducing colds, flus, sinus issues - it’s been treating these for thousands of years!
Post-viral recovery
Anxiety, fear, or emotional overwhelm
Chinese Med loves warm slow cooked foods in Winter
The Best Foods to Eat in Winter
Your belly loves warm, slow-cooked, nourishing foods this season. It is sooo much easier for the body to get the nutrients it needs from warm cooked foods. Think:
Soups, stews, and broths 🍜
Slow-cooked meats (especially lamb, beef, chicken)
Warming herbs and spices: ginger, cinnamon, garlic, cloves
Cooked veggies like pumpkin, sweet potato, carrots, and greens
Whole grains like oats, rice, and barley
Bone broth is liquid gold for Kidney energy 🦴✨
☕ Swap smoothies for soups and cold salads for stir-fries or roasts to keep your digestion strong and your energy grounded.
Lifestyle Tips for Winter Vitality
💫
Sleep earlier 🛏️ — aim for 8–9 hours if possible!
Gentle movement: yoga, tai chi, walks in nature
Keep your lower back and feet warm — Kidneys don’t like the cold!
Limit overworking or overexertion (this is your permission to REST)
Embrace the quiet — journal, read, reflect
Book regular Acupuncture to stay balanced and prevent burnout
Winter is the time to rest, reflect and plan in Chinese Medicine
Chinese Medicine and Emotional Wellbeing in Winter
While summer is all about action and expression, winter invites us to turn inward—and that includes emotional and spiritual nourishment as well.
According to Chinese medicine, this is the perfect time to:
Reflect on what you want to grow in the coming year 🌱
Practice meditation, breathwork, or journaling
Release lingering emotions like fear, which is associated with the Kidney system
Reconnect with your intuition and inner wisdom
Spend time with close friends or family who help you feel safe and supported 💞
✨ Tip: Try setting aside 10–15 minutes a day for stillness. Even a quiet cup of tea by candlelight can feel like soul medicine in the heart of winter.
💡 Little Extras We Love
Moxibustion (moxa)—a warming herb used in TCM to nourish the Kidneys and boost immunity 🔥
Herbal formulas to protect against colds and flu or strengthen your constitution
Magnesium salt baths to soothe tired muscles and support rest
Adaptogens and tonic herbs for hormonal support and stress resilience
(Always check with a qualified health practitioner before starting supplements or herbs)
Winter Wellness Acupuncture
Ready to Feel Strong and Grounded This Winter? 💪❄️
Whether you’re feeling tired, catching every cold, or just want to stay one step ahead, now is the perfect time to nourish your body with Acupuncture, herbs, and holistic care.
Let’s help you rest, recharge, and emerge from winter feeling better than ever.
Written by Dr Maya Amhaz, a nationally registered Acupuncturist with a passion for skin, women’s health, hormonal balance, emotional and seasonal wellbeing.
Maya blends Traditional Chinese Medicine with integrative nutrition and lifestyle advice to help you feel empowered, grounded, and deeply supported through every season.
