Winter is here, Water Energy, Kidney consciousness

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Winter is here, Water Energy, Kidney consciousness

http://www.rosanna.com/newsletters/2002newsletters/kidneys.htm

 

We learn from oriental medicine the wisdom of keeping our kidneys

warm during the cold season. Water and salt lie at the heart of

macrobiotic balance and the health of the kidneys and their ratio is

critical if we are to remain balanced. A salt-free regimen can be

harmful and too much salt is also detrimental to kidney health.

This balance is also heavily influenced by the amount of oil in the

diet, oil of all kinds including what we receive from nuts and seeds.

 

Grains and vegetables should always be cooked with a small amount of

sea salt. Conversely, too much salt will cause some to retain water

and become puffy.

 

Excessive (especially animal) protein intake is responsible for much

of the loss of creativity, kidney stones, loss of sexual energy and

discomfort that is the result of strain on the kidneys. It is

difficult to maintain balance when ingesting heavy animal protein

(and processed protein as in tofu) as its digestion might deplete

the calcium and other mineral reserves in the body which are

required for its digestion.

 

Chemical additives, notoriously those in sausages and cheeses, are

the most damaging foods, along with sugar. Mineral-rich foods, like

sea vegetables are more desirable for the kidneys. Examples of

these are:

 

Wakame, kombu (kelp), arame, hijiki, dulse, agar-agar, sea palm and

others without number. Small amounts eaten each day will guard

against inflammation of the joints in addition to being a renal

tonic.

 

Excessive hot baths are another cause of loss of essential minerals

from the body. The system, especially the heart, is dependent upon

robust renal function and one result of mineral deficiency is high

blood pressure.

 

Sources of strain on the kidneys in the modern diet must include

coffee, which taken to excess can also lead to mineral deficiency

and loss of vitality and possible high blood pressure. Green tea,

or still better, bancha twig tea (kukicha, also an aid to digestion)

are preferable to regular and/or excessive coffee consumption.

 

Buckwheat is a grain to strengthen the kidney function and ginger

compresses applied to the kidneys are very positive and balancing.

Adzuki bean tea will help to regulate the urinary function and also

helps to soften the stools for those afflicted with constipation.

Here is the recipe:

 

ADZUKI BEAN TEA

 

Ingredients

 

1 inch piece kombu

 

1 cup adzuki beans

 

4 cups spring water

 

Preparation

 

Put all ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil. Reduce flame,

cover and simmer for ½ hour. Strain and drink the liquid hot. Keep

the beans and continue to cook with additional water and sweet

vegetables until soft. Use them in your next meal.

 

Adding ½ cup of freshly grated raw daikon to the tea (don't cook it)

will help eliminate kidney stones. Adding ½ cup of freshly grated

lotus root will help eliminate mucous from the kidneys and urinary

tract.