A Winter Reflection in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Today is the 21st of June — the Winter Solstice here in the Southern Hemisphere, the shortest day of the year.
Back home in France, it’s the Summer Solstice — the longest day — and the official start of summer. We celebrate it with the Fête de la Musique, a joyful tradition where people pour into the streets to sing, play music, and dance.

But here in the South, it feels very different. And while our calendar tells us winter starts on the 1st of June, to me, it truly begins today — on the solstice. The turning point. The day when we are called inward, to rest, replenish, and listen to the quiet rhythms of winter.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, winter is the season of stillness, restoration, and deep nourishment. It is governed by the Water element, which relates to the Kidneys — our storehouse of vital essence (Jing), and the root of our energy and vitality.

Just as nature slows down, conserving energy beneath frozen ground and bare trees, winter invites us to do the same. This is a time to rest more, reflect inward, and nurture our internal resources. When we align with the season and slow down, we give our bodies and minds the opportunity to replenish.

The Kidney system in TCM not only supports our bones, brain, and reproductive health but also governs our willpower and our ability to adapt to stress. Winter is the perfect time to support this system with warm foods, gentle movement, deep rest, and practices that calm the mind.

As yin energy reaches its peak at the Winter Solstice, a subtle turning begins — yang starts to grow again. Even as the days remain cold and still, the balance begins to shift, gently guiding us toward renewal and light.

Listening to our natural rhythm in winter allows us to emerge in spring with more resilience and energy — just as the trees bud and the earth awakens.

Winter Wellness Tips in TCM

1. Nourish with warm, slow-cooked foods
Think broths, stews, and root vegetables. Chicken bone broth, black beans, kidney beans, walnuts, goji berries, and dark leafy greens all nourish Kidney energy. Avoid cold, raw, and icy foods which can deplete your internal warmth.

2. Try warming herbal teas
Ginger, cinnamon, clove, and licorice root teas help to warm the body and support digestion. You can also enjoy goji berry and red date tea, a classic TCM winter tonic.

3. Embrace rest and quiet
Winter is not the time to push yourself. Sleep a little more. Rest without guilt. Slow walks, journaling, meditation, and mindful breathwork are all deeply supportive of Kidney and Water element health.

4. Keep your low back warm
The Kidney channel runs through the lower back. In TCM, cold can "invade" the body, weakening this area. Keep your back and feet warm, especially on chilly days.

5. Moxibustion for warmth and immunity
Moxa therapy, which involves burning dried mugwort near specific acupuncture points, is especially beneficial in winter. It warms the channels, boosts immunity, and supports circulation and digestion. Ask your acupuncturist about a seasonal moxa session.

6. Gentle movement and bodywork
Practices like qigong, yoga, or tai chi nourish without depleting. Acupuncture and massage can help harmonize energy, support immunity, and relieve winter-related stiffness or tension.