Winter, Trauma & the Heart-Kidney Axis
The author Katherine May states, “To be human is to be cyclical.” In winter, we enter a cycle of stillness, hibernation and going within. Although winter can co-exist with darkness, snow and cold, we can enter into specific cycles of winter anytime in our lives. We enter the “winter” – the deep Yin - of our days every night when we sleep.
In Chinese Medicine, winter is associated with the Kidney meridian and the emotion held by the Kidneys is fear. In the face of a traumatic or scary situation, person or thought, the Kidney meridian sends a signal to the Heart and Pericardium meridians to help out. If resourced enough, they will hear the call and assist the Kidneys in cradling the fear and allowing it to run its course without overwhelming the system. If not, the Kidney meridian will become weakened and taxed overtime.
When there has been a traumatic incident - and especially if there is ongoing trauma or chronic stress - the kidney and heart meridians can be deeply impacted. This relationship is called the Heart-Kidney axis in Chinese Medicine. Common signs of a Heart-Kidney axis imbalance include insomnia, anxiety, a feeling of unease or restlessness, disconnection or numbness, heart palpitations and more.
Tips for strengthening the Heart – Kidney Axis.
✅ Acupuncture on the regular. Over time, acupuncture can be a very effective tool for strengthening the Heart-Kidney Axis and mitigating signs and symptoms associated with a overwhelmed Heart-Kidney dynamic. WCA is a trauma-informed clinic and works with folks all the time with trauma in their background.
✅ Ear Acupuncture or Seeds. Fun fact: In embryology, the tissue of the ears arise out of the same tissue as the kidneys. In Chinese Medicine, the kidneys “open into the ears”. The NADA or 5NP ear acupuncture protocol excels at treating the Heart-Kidney axis and the nervous system to tone down its fight-flight-freeze response. WCA offers NADA Nights every Friday from 4-6 pm. In addition, ear seeds are a great alternative for those who are needle-averse or can’t tolerate needles for any reason.
✅ Ear massage. Giving each of your ears a 2-3 minute massage is like giving your kidney meridian and nervous system a deep hug. Use your favorite essential oil blend for an added bonus.
✅ Essential oils on Heart 7 + Kidney 6. The acupuncture point Heart 7 – known as Shén Mén or Spirit Gate – pairs beautifully with Kidney 6 – Zhào Hăi Shining or Sea – to assist with processing the emotions of fear and anxiety. Among many things, this point combination calms the heart and the spirit. These paired points represent a gateway for your spirit to pass through to reach calmer waters in your life. Top choices here are rose or rose absolute for the Heart 7 and Geranium for Kidney 6.
Essential Oils Reminders + Guidance
For use, breathe in a few deep inhales and exhales of the oil(s) after opening the bottle. Relax the body. Apply a small amount of the oil to the acupuncture point points with deep attention. Remember, essential oils are not meant to be “salt and pepper shakers.” A little goes a long, long way. Some apply oils to acupuncture points with a toothpick. Do everyday for 100 days for an intentional, alchemical process over time or simply apply as you need it.
Another tool is creating a 3-part “pause practice” by pausing whatever you’re doing, taking 3 deep inhales and exhales while relaxing the body and combining these steps with the sensory experience of smelling cypress. You can put 10-15 drops in an essential oil nasal inhaler and carry in your pocket or purse.
If you want a wicked good source for essential oils, check out Original Swiss Aromatics or Essential Oil Wizardry.