During the colder months, our body directs more blood to our torso and head, to protect our brain and vital organs. Our extremities may end up feeling cold as a result. Cold hands, warm heart.
From an East Asian perspective, various organs and meridians can be involved in the symptoms of cold hands and/or feet; from a Meridian Therapy perspective, cold hands and feet usually relate primarily to the lungs and kidneys, respectively.
Here are a few tips for keeping your hands and feet warm during winter.
Ginger is such a wonderful warming and comforting herb. Fresh ginger is mild, while dried ginger is hot and is better at warming cold hands and feet. Ginger stimulates blood circulation, eliminates wind-cold pathogens, moves stagnation and clears white phlegm. It warms the stomach and spleen and is therefore good for digestion. It eases nausea, morning sickness and vomiting. Avoid ginger if your tongue coat is yellow.
This week, I’ve been making a very simple ginger tea – just add a few slices of fresh ginger, or a generous pinch of ginger powder to some hot water, let steep for a few minutes and drink. You can also add some fennel seeds, which are also warming and great for the digestion.
You could also try some Kombucha, which is a fermented tea that is said to have originated in China centuries ago. Kombucha seems to have different effects on different people including improving digestion, immunity, circulation and blood pressure, alleviating headaches, clearing eczema, even reducing grey hair! What it mainly seems to do is to bring the body back into balance, so that our body can heal itself. I love the idea of fizzy tea and while I haven’t tried the plain Kombucha, I love the ginger variety.
Pranayama done on a daily basis, also helps to improves the flow of qi and blood, and thereby circulation in the body.
My friend Stuart recently recommended some angora thermal products. He said that when he wears a back warmer, it always feels like Spring! I’ve just received my back warmer (haramaki), socks and gloves. They are keeping me beautifully warm. Thanks Stu!
Exercise also helps to ensure that qi and blood flows properly throughout the body. When I exercise, I notice that my hands warm up quickly.
I’ve also been eating black beans this week. Black is the colour that corresponds to Winter. Black-coloured foods like black beans, black sesame, black rice, black buckwheat, dark-coloured jujubes and black fungus support the kidneys and our yang energies. These foods have many benefits and may improve circulation. During the cold winter months these foods may help to keep hands and feet warm.
If you have persistent cold hands and/or feet, please check in with your health practitioner. A number of modalities can be helping in treating cold hands and feet, including acupuncture and medicinal herbs.
