Keeping warm in winter is a challenge for many, including myself. In Traditional Chinese Medicine this may be considered a deficiency of kidney yang and in western medicine a possible symptom of adrenal deficiency – no surprise that the adrenals glands are sitting just above the kidneys!

So how does one ‘tonify yang ‘ and support the adrenal glands.

Well although I understand the energetics of raw food – it is the wisdom of the ancient Chinese sages that makes more sense.

I always ensure some daily raw food for essential vitamins and enzymes but to stay warm I need an abundance of warming ‘yang’ foods – whole grains, warming stews and soups with plenty of root vegetables and sweet pungent spices to encourage warm circulation of the body. Nourishing meals with pulses and lentils to provide essential vitamins and minerals to support the adrenal glands.

Remember that cold water will extinguish your fire so choose hot drinks especially warming herbals with ginger, cinnamon, or liquorice.

Keep putting fuel on the fire with frequent healthy snacks of nuts, seeds, oatcakes.

Of course daily exercise increases metabolism and boosts circulation to increase body temperature. If energy levels are low – beware of over exercising which will deplete energy levels.

Surround yourself with aroma of cinnamon or orange essential oils to lift and warm the spirit.

And remember that wearing warm colours will brighten your day and lift your mood.

And I would not miss my weekly sauna to deeply heat and tonify yang!