It appears that autumn has settled and the last of the leaves have fallen away, and we are quietly crossing a threshold in the Five Element cycle — from the clear, crisp refinement of Metal into the deep, restorative waters of Winter.

This is the season governed by the Water element and the domain of the Kidneys, the guardians of our roots, our reserves, and our most precious substance: Jing, our Essence.

Winter asks something different of us.
It doesn’t ask for productivity, intensity, or output.
It whispers, “Slow down. Conserve. Restore what has been spent.”

In Chinese medicine, this is the season where longevity is protected or depleted — depending on how well we honor our inner rhythms.

The Kidney System: Your Winter Battery

The Kidneys store our Jing, the essence we are born with.
It determines our vitality, our aging process, our hormonal balance, our bones, our brain, and the depth of our resilience.

Think of Jing as the candle of your life — you can let it burn too fast, or you can tend to it with care so it lasts long and bright.

During winter, Kidney Qi takes center stage. When supported, it gives us:

• A calm, grounded presence
  
  
• Strong immunity
  
  
• Deep, restorative sleep
  
  
• Emotional steadiness
  
  
• A sense of trust and inner strength
  
  

When drained, we may feel:

• Exhausted or burnt out
  
  
• Cold in the feet, hands, or back
  
  
• Anxious, fearful, or ungrounded
  
  
• Hormonal imbalances
  
  
• Lower libido
  
  
• Difficulty recovering from stress
  
  
• Brain fog or weak willpower
  
  

Winter isn’t the time to push through — it’s the time to nourish what holds you together.

Jing, Yin & the Wisdom of Rest

While Jing is your deepest reserve, Yin is the fluid, cooling, nurturing aspect that allows your system to replenish itself. Yin gives us:

• Moisture
  
  
• Calm
  
  
• Sleep
  
  
• Emotional softness
  
  
• The ability to regulate the nervous system
  
  

Supporting Yin in winter is one of the most important things you can do for long-term health, especially if you’re in perimenopause or menopause.

This season invites you to treat stillness as medicine.
Not a luxury — but a necessity.

Acupoints to Support Kidney Qi, Jing & Yin

Here are a few simple points you can work with yourself or incorporate into client sessions:

KI3 — Taixi

Strengthens Kidney Qi and Yin

• Excellent for fatigue, low back pain, hormonal balance, and grounding
  
  
• Perfect point when you’ve been “running on empty”
  
  

KI6 — Zhaohai

A powerful Yin-nourishing point

• Supports sleep, emotional calm, and dryness
  
  
• Lovely for rebalancing after intense or busy periods
  
  

KI1 — Yongquan

The most grounding point on the body

• Helps calm fear
  
  
• Brings energy downward and out of the mind
  
  
• Beautiful during meditation or before sleep
  
  

Essential Oils for Yin Nourishment & Winter Grounding

Choose oils that stabilize, root, and quiet the mind:

• Vetiver: deeply grounding, yin-restoring, calms overwhelm
  
  
• Sandalwood: nourishes spirit + Yin, emotional tranquility
  
  
• Cedarwood: stabilizes scattered energy, strengthens inner reserves
  
  
• Frankincense: supports spiritual connection, quiet reflection
  
  

Pair vetiver on KI1 and/or KI6 for deep nourishment and a sense of being held.

A Simple Jing + Yin Nourishing Winter Tea

(A gentle, safe blend to support the season — always consult your practitioner.)

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp Goji berries (Gou Qi Zi) — nourishes Liver & Kidney Yin
  
  
• A small handful of black sesame seeds — supports Jing
  
  
• 1 small cinnamon stick — warms the Kidney Yang and improves circulation
  
  
• Optional (but I definitely recommend): 1–2 slices fresh ginger for digestive warmth
  
  

Instructions:
Simmer in hot water for 10–15 minutes.
Drink warm, ideally in the morning or early afternoon.

It’s a simple, beautiful way to nourish the deepest parts of yourself.

Living in Alignment With the Water Element

Supporting your Jing and Kidney Qi isn’t just physical — it’s a lifestyle of honoring your natural rhythms:

• Go to bed a little earlier
  
  
• Let mornings be slow and gentle
  
  
• Favor warm, nourishing foods
  
  
• Say “no” when your body asks for rest
  
  
• Swap intensity for presence
  
  
• Embrace the quiet
  
  
• Allow yourself to refill
  
  

This isn’t the season to push — it’s the season to become whole again.

An Invitation…

As we move into winter, I’d love to know how you’re choosing to nourish your inner reserves.
What practices help you slow down, soften, or reconnect with yourself?
Share in the comments — your reflection may be exactly what someone else needs to hear. 💛

If you’d like to explore the energetics of essential oils and acupoints more deeply, my Essential Oil Energetics mini-course is a beautiful place to begin.