Death and Rebirth.

by Nutritional Coaching associate Ashley Lindemulder

As I sit down to write this blog post today, I find myself thinking about how this season is one of both life and death. The death of nature throughout the cold, the ending of another year, the death of some of my false self as I grow more into my truer self…paired with the celebration of the birth of a child who showed us a new and better way to live and love. Maybe this Christmas season we can be thinking about this natural cycle, the ebb and flow of life. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), perhaps the oldest form of medicine, really embraces this philosophy and awareness, and I thought we could talk about that today.

I am sure you are familiar with the Chinese words Yin and Yang, but I wonder if you know what they mean in relation to your body, your food, and your spiritual life. Here we are again, connecting the holism of mind, body, and spirit. Yin and Yang are quite different than “good and bad;” rather Yang symbolizes the active principles of the universe or the heat, which can show up in the body as inflammation, redness or pain. The Yin is the passive principles of the universe or the cold and dark, which can show up as aches or illness common in the winter involving chills. We need both of these energies in our body to create balance and health.

TCM also speaks to the lifeforce that travels throughout your body with your blood, known as Qi. We could perhaps think of this lifeforce as the breath of God in us all. Herbs are an important tool used in TCM for balancing the body and increasing Qi when needed. Since it is so common to become ill with a cold or more severe illness in the winter, I thought it could be helpful to discuss some of these herbs.

One of the most widely used TCM herbs is Astragalus, which is wonderful for the immune system, improving energy and overall health. It is more on the Yang side, meaning it is warming to the body and can be good for those experiencing cold-related illnesses. Another popular TCM herb that you have likely heard of is Ginseng. One fascinating thing about this herb is that the roots of the Ginseng plant resemble a person, and this herb is said to be a “cure-all” or able to address the whole body. It is especially good for improving blood circulation and blood sugar levels.

Both of these herbs are generally considered safe and can make excellent additions to your tea collection this winter, but as always, please consult a doctor if you are taking any medications before you start using herbs to be sure they will play together nicely. If you are interested in learning more about herbs, feel free to reach out to me. They can do so many wonderful things for the body.

Growing the Soul

Take some time this holiday season to think a little about the Yin and Yang you’re experiencing in your life right now and how they are affecting your balance, your relationships, and your spirituality.

Serving the World

Think about you can be a balancing force in the lives of those around you this season.

Takeaway

Seek balance.