“Nourish the Kidneys in Autumn and Winter—The Right Way to Tonify” | Recipe Section

          The “Yin Shan Zheng Yao” states: “In winter, the qi is cold; therefore, millet should be consumed to counteract this coldness with its warming nature. Hot foods and drinks are to be avoided, and warm, heated clothing is recommended.”

The “Six Jie Zang Xiang Lun” section of the Plain Questions states: “The Kidney governs hibernation; it is the root of storage and the abode of essence. Its radiant manifestation appears in the hair, its fullness resides in the bones, and it is the Shaoyin among the Yin organs, connected with the qi of winter.”

The “Great Discussion on the Regulation of the Spirit in Accordance with the Four Seasons” in the Plain Questions states: “Nurture yang in spring and summer, and yin in autumn and winter,” thereby harmonizing with the seasonal changes in the yin–yang balance.

“Spring gives birth, summer nurtures, autumn harvests, and winter stores”—such is the natural order of qi, and humans should align with it. ， Winter is the coldest season of the year, when vegetation withers, insects lie dormant in the frost, and all things in nature retreat and conserve their energy; accordingly, the body’s yang energy also should be concealed and stored within.

Traditional Chinese Medicine employs dietary therapy for health maintenance and anti-aging, tailoring meal plans according to the season, local conditions, and specific illnesses—tonifying when deficiency is present and draining when excess is present. It also places particular emphasis on regulating the Lung, Spleen, and Kidney organs. As the popular saying goes: “ Nurture the liver in spring, the heart in summer, the lungs in autumn, and the kidneys in winter. “This is precisely what our ‘Pingle Zhenggu Yanggu Studies’ refers to as the relationship among diet, the four seasons, the five flavors, and the five zang organs. Adapting dietary practices to the seasonal cycles means following the yin–yang patterns of change inherent in the calendar and solar terms, and employing corresponding bone-nourishing methods to safeguard health. Accordingly, during winter, bone-nourishing nutrition should focus on tonifying the kidneys and conserving yin, while also protecting against cold and preserving yang.”

Next, PingLe Guo’s Bone-Setting Clinic recommends six winter dietary recipes for tonifying the kidneys, allowing you to enjoy delicious meals while staying healthy.

Recipe Section

Stewed Mutton with White Radish

Nutritional Value: Lamb is rich in fats, proteins, carbohydrates, and essential nutrients such as calcium, iron, and phosphorus, and is known for its benefits in nourishing the kidneys and liver, warding off cold, and dispelling dampness. Radishes, often referred to as “little ginseng,” are packed with vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, helping to clear heat, moisten the lungs, and aid digestion.

Method: Prepare the lamb. 250 grams of white radish, 500 grams of goji berries, ginger, cooking wine, and salt to taste. Wash the white radish and lamb thoroughly, then cut them into chunks and set aside. Add an appropriate amount of water to a pot, place the lamb in the pot, bring it to a boil, and after about five to six minutes, remove the lamb. Discard the broth, refill the pot with fresh water, bring it to a boil again, then add the lamb, ginger, and salt. Simmer until the lamb is about 60% cooked, then add the white radish and continue to cook until it is tender.

Taboo : Individuals with obesity and high blood lipid levels Taboo Food.

Wood Ear and Winter Melon Triple-Ingredient Soup

Nutritional Value: Winter Melon Contains multiple vitamins and minerals , wood ear It is high in protein, vitamins, and iron. , which can nourish and strengthen the body.

Method: Prepare the winter melon. Use 150 g of winter melon, 150 g of wood ear mushrooms, dried shrimp, salt, and monosodium glutamate to taste. Wash all ingredients thoroughly and cut them into pieces; set aside. Bring an appropriate amount of water to a boil in a pot, add the dried shrimp and wood ear mushrooms, and cook for five minutes. Then add the winter melon; once the soup comes back to a boil, stir in the salt and monosodium glutamate.

Contraindications: Individuals with chronic diarrhea Avoid eating.

Longan Porridge

Nutritional Value: Longan is rich in vitamins. , proteins, fats, and other nutrients, It can tonify the heart and spleen, nourish the blood, and calm the spirit.

Method: Longan Take 25 grams of longan and 100 grams of japonica rice, add a small amount of white sugar, place them in a pot with an appropriate amount of water, and simmer until it becomes a porridge. Then stir in the white sugar to taste.

Contraindications: Patients with diabetes, pregnant women Taboo Food.

Water Chestnut and Rock Sugar Lotus Root Soup

Nutritional Value: Water chestnuts are rich in protein, calcium, and iron, Vitamins and other nutrients can strengthen the spleen and stimulate the appetite.

Method: Water Chestnut 250 g of water chestnuts, 150 g of lotus root, and rock sugar to taste. Wash and peel the water chestnuts and lotus root, then cut them into small pieces. Add an appropriate amount of water to a pot, place the ingredients in the pot, and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes. Add rock sugar to taste and continue to simmer for another 10 minutes. Remove from heat and serve.

Contraindications: Avoid consumption if you have spleen and stomach deficiency-cold or loose stools and diarrhea.

Winter Melon and Grass Carp Stew

Nutritional Value: Rich in protein and fat, as well as a variety of nutrients, it helps dispel wind and clear heat.

Method: Winter Melon 500 g of winter melon, 250 g of grass carp, and salt and monosodium glutamate to taste. Clean all ingredients thoroughly and set aside. Fry the fish until golden brown, then add an appropriate amount of boiling water. Bring to a boil, add the winter melon, and simmer over low heat for about 30 minutes. Once the broth turns milky white, season with salt and monosodium glutamate to taste.

Contraindications: Not suitable for patients with gout, bleeding disorders, and other such conditions.

Cold-Seasoned Lettuce

Nutritional Value: Lettuce contains abundant dietary fiber and Vitamins and other nutrients can benefit the five zang organs and promote the smooth flow of the meridians.

Method: Lettuce 350 g of lettuce, scallions, salt, monosodium glutamate, white sugar, and sesame oil—use to taste. Peel and wash the lettuce, then cut it into small pieces and place in a bowl. Add fine salt and mix well; let it marinate for 1 hour, then drain off the excess water. Stir in the monosodium glutamate and white sugar until evenly combined. Sprinkle the chopped scallions over the lettuce. Heat a wok over medium-high heat, add the sesame oil, and once the oil is hot, pour it over the salad and stir thoroughly to combine.

Contraindication: Not to be consumed by individuals with night blindness.

PingLe Guo’s Orthopedic Clinic reminds you: From the Beginning of Winter to the period before the Beginning of Spring—encompassing the six solar terms of Beginning of Winter, Light Snow, Heavy Snow, Winter Solstice, Lesser Cold, and Greater Cold—this is the coldest phase of the year. Many human ailments are closely linked to the seasons; during the harsh winter, sudden drops in temperature, exposure to cold air, and weakened respiratory immunity can easily lead to catching a chill. Therefore, while nourishing the body from within, it is equally important to adjust one’s clothing appropriately, stay warm, and take precautions against the cold to prevent various illnesses, particularly conditions such as cold-induced bi syndrome and kidney-afflicting cold.