Winter Care According to Chinese Medicine
According to ancient Chinese medicine one of the reasons people grow seriously ill, quickly, is because they do not order their lives with the seasons and their changes. I have practiced Chinese medicine for twenty years now, with ten of those years in the Vancouver area. As a clinician I have indeed witnessed the effects of the seasons on a plethora of patients.
Chinese medicine, like our western perspective, does indeed separate time into four distinct seasons. Unlike the west, the seasonal division is further divided into six sub-seasonal divisions called ‘nodes’. Each node comes with a distinct name, a set of predictable signs and symptoms, theory as to why those symptoms manifest, and possible solutions found through exercise, meditation, food, bathing practices and the like.
Presently, Vancouver is blanketed in snow (a rare sight indeed). It is the first week of February. From January 20th-February 5th is the node called ‘Great Cold’. The general suggestions here are to strengthen the kidneys (in Chinese medicine the origin of marrow and bone), strengthen the lower back (ruled by the kidneys) and the abdomen to promote longevity.
Chinese medicine believes that energy predominantly dwells at varying levels according to the season we occupy. For example, energy is lighter in summer and dwells close to the skin while in winter it dwells closer to the bones. Each level comes with its own benefits. For example, in the summer, with energy so light, we can move freely and sleep less. In the winter we have more time for rest and contemplation. Simultaneously, in true yin-yang complementary action each season comes with its own illnesses. In summer people experience heat stroke and fatigue while in the winter time cold and wind enters the skin, muscles and joints and causes muscles and sinews to contract and spasm.
In Vancouver I have noticed that for three weeks every January people are prone to re-injury and flareups of old muscle, joint and bone injuries. Herbs, foods and lifestyle habits that generate internal warmth and mobility greatly help to alleviate these problems. Without a clear strategy I notice a higher percentage of people with anxiety and depression at this time of year.
That being said, there must be something to the whole six subdivision theory of each season because come February my clinic sees a decrease in joint pain (immobility issues) and moves towards mobility issues that are hard to move. For example, yawning, sighing and side stretching is prevalent at this time. People are trying to move the energy away from the bone but this is not a clear continuum so it stagnates. The three acts I just mentioned is a way to clear this energy to keep it coursing more easily towards the surface. Other symptoms include tears of frustration and grief (without apparent reason), sleeplessness or waking between one and three am, an increase of emotionally charged dreams including nightmares. Come the end of February things on that front quite down and a whole other series of symptoms present themselves. Knowing these seasonal changes can give comfort to people who thought they were once improving but now find themselves struggling with the same old issues. Practitioners can assure then this too will pass and they will start to feel better once again.
As an example of clinical advice to those of you struggling with any of the symptoms I have just laid out for part of winter consider the following. Because our energy has withdrawn one should follow these general guidelines:
1. Exercise moderately (80-85% exertion versus the summer at 100%)
2. Take things slow and in stride. Avoid anger.
3. In contemplation look at past motivations and experiences for future direction
4. Be kind to yourself.
5. Please go to bed early and you are encouraged to wake up late! Yay!
6. Keep yourself warm, especially in the ‘Kidney’ (lower back) region.
7. Side stretch
8. Focus on baking, stewing, long cooking methods, soups, and roasting
9. Eat foods that are warming and nourishing such as root veggies with
lamb and walnuts
10. Drink warming teas such as only of the following
a. Dried Ginger (+ Red Date) tea
b. Longan + Red Date + Goji tea
c. Citrus Peel (Chen Pi) tea
d. Osmanthus Flower tea
e. Rose Tea
f. Masala Chai
Foods to consider at this time may include a number of foods from the four categories below.
Warming Foods
1. Ginger
2. Cinnamon
3. Meat stew (esp Lamb)
4. Warm soup / Hotpot
5. Rice porridge
6. Avoid cold Salads
Tonics
1. Ginseng
2. Walnuts
3. Angelica root
4. Longan fruits
5. Red dates
6. Chinese Yam
7. Pumpkin/potatoes
Salty/bitter food (slightly cooling)
1. Miso
2. Soy sauce
3. Seaweeds
4. Daikon radish
5. Citrus peel
6. Watercress
7. Quinoa
Black Colour Food (Kidney Food)
1. Black sesame
2. Black fungus
3. Black beans
4. Black rice
5. Black pepper
Meet Dr Calvin Crichton
With over two decades of experience in Chinese medicine, Calvin Crichton has developed a deep understanding of how seasonal changes impact health, particularly mobility and joint concerns. His treatments, which incorporate acupuncture, cupping, medicinal ointments, and dietary guidance, align with traditional Chinese wisdom on seasonal care — helping patients adapt, heal, and thrive through winter’s challenges.
