According to traditional Chinese medicine, the Water element is associated with the kidneys, bladder and adrenal glands. Considered the source of all energy or qi (chi) found within the body, the kidneys, with the assistance of the adrenal glands, store reserves of qi energy in the body to use later during times of stress and change. It is this balance of chi energy in the body that helps us to heal our bodies, prevent illness and age gracefully.
During the Winter months, we should allow our bodies to follow the cues of nature. These include rest, restoration, storage, conservation, reflection and meditation. One way to support our more mindful restoration practices at this time and to help promote a quantum healing response is to enjoy PHYTO5’s Water element quantum energetic line of skincare. Synergistic formulations comprised of high grade essential oils, plant extracts, minerals and vitamins are all designed to support many aspects of the challenges we face during traditional Chinese medicine’s energetic Winter.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, the kidneys serve as the root of health all throughout our lives. They are the foundation of all yin and yang qualities in the body. Each kidney houses millions of tiny filters which diligently work to maintain proper balance of blood, salt and water in the body. The kidneys also produce waste as a by-product of this filtering process which becomes the basis for urine.
The Adrenal Glands
Of utmost importance to the function of the body are the adrenal glands which rest just on top of the kidneys and are only about the size of grapes.When the adrenals are supported, they allow for 1) balanced hormone flow throughout the body, 2) proper utilization of the hormones without over-expenditure, and 3) consequent prevention of depleting the body’s energy reserves.
In response to brain activity, the adrenal glands promote appropriate stress responses when we need them through the hormones cortisol,(1) adrenaline(2) and aldosterone.(3)
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We might be depleting our stores of energy and exhausting our adrenal glands without even realizing it. We may find ourselves overreacting to negative occurrences in life, or we may often feel in overwhelm or paralyzed in response to life. Without an effective way to consciously and holistically respond to stress we leave the body on its own, unsupported, to deal with it purely physiologically. After many years of living in a constant state of stress this creates a persistent low-level release of these stress hormones into the body system and we can become exhausted and depleted.
To prevent this many years long activity of adrenal stress-response, it’s important that we periodically allow time for our adrenal glands to rest such as during energetic Winter. This season, of course, follows the many months preceding during which our bodies have had to deploy notable amounts of cortisol and adrenaline just to manage the daily stresses of life.
Women and Adrenal Fatigue
Especially for women who are mothers in the ‘modern age,’ women find they have to burn the candle at both ends to take care of their families. Not only do many women find they must pursue careers, they have to come home and make dinner, clean the house, wash clothes, and take care of children. It is safe to say that most women come in last on the list of who to take care of. There’s little time left for her to rest and restore.
This way of life requires an enormous expenditure of energy and it taxes the adrenal glands. By the time women enter menopause, they’re wrung out. At a time when they should be able to utilize their adrenal glands to help produce that extra estrogen output needed for the remaining years of their lives, they have no extra hormones left to use. And it is this depletion of the adrenal glands that makes the transition from menses to menopause so challenging for so many women.
If you suspect you have adrenal fatigue,
“The first step in optimizing adrenal health is to get to the bottom of how your adrenal glands are currently functioning. The best way to start on this process is to evaluate your symptoms, and if they appear to be related to adrenal function, request that your doctor order tests to measure levels of key adrenal hormones.” —Kathryn Simpson in Overcoming Adrenal Fatigue: How to Restore Hormonal Balance and Feel Renewed, Energized, and Stress Free
In her book mentioned above, Simpson goes on to list some of the ways in which adrenal fatigue might physically and emotionally manifest:
excessive fatigue, exhaustion, feeling run down, low stamina
difficulty recovering from exercise, stress, injury or illness
salty and sweet food cravings
feeling more energy in the evening
waking up tired after having slept well
interruptions in sleep
difficulty concentrating
being more highly susceptible to colds, flus and infections
extreme sensitivity to cold
consistent low blood pressure
more severe symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and highly problematic menopause
feeling unable to cope with stress
overwhelm
…
Endnotes:
(1) a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex
(2) a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands, especially in conditions of stress, increasing rates of blood circulation, breathing, and carbohydrate metabolism and preparing muscles for exertion; also called epinephrine
(3) a corticosteroid hormone which stimulates absorption of sodium by the kidneys and so regulates water and salt balance
…
Sources:
Counts, Mindi K. Everyday Chinese Medicine: Healing Remedies for Immunity, Vitality, and Optimal Health. United States, Shambhala, 2020.
Simpson, Kathryn. Overcoming Adrenal Fatigue: How to Restore Hormonal Balance and Feel Renewed, Energized, and Stress Free. United States, New Harbinger Publications, 2011.
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