Water is Life

💧The Importance of Hydration – A Comprehensive Approach and Chinese Medicine

Water is the basis of life. In both Western and Chinese medicine, it plays a central role in maintaining balance and health. Staying hydrated isn't just about drinking water; it's also about knowing when, how, and what to drink, based on our constitution, the season, and our energy needs.

Why is hydration so essential?

➤Modern physiology side:

• Regulates body temperature

• Supports digestion, elimination, and circulation

• Maintains energy and cognitive function

• Hydrates skin and prevents pain

➤ Chinese medicine side:

In TCM, water is associated with the energy of the Kidneys, one of the most fundamental organs. The Kidneys govern body fluids, but also vitality, bones, marrow, and longevity.

“Water nourishes the Kidney, the Kidney nourishes life.”

Fluid imbalance can lead to:

• Chronic fatigue (deficiency of Kidney Yin or Jing)

  
  

• Urinary disorders

  
  

• Water retention

  
  

• Low back pain, tinnitus, sensitivity to cold

  
  

• Dry mucous membranes

  
  

• Dry skin

  
  

• Constipation

  
  

• Loss of muscle mass and/or difficulty gaining muscle mass

Hydration Tips According to TCM :

🕰️ 1. When to drink and how much?

• In the morning on an empty stomach: a glass of lukewarm water to "wake up" the body without stressing it.

• Avoid drinking large quantities during meals: this dilutes digestive juices and tires the Spleen (a key organ of digestion in TCM).

• Drink regularly in small sips throughout the day.

• This corresponds to 1.5 to 2 liters of water per day.

• In summer, with the heat, increase the quantity.

• When exercising, add about 1 liter.

🌡️ 2. Should you drink cold?

• Avoid iced drinks, especially if you're prone to colds, have digestive issues, or are experiencing a Yang deficiency. Plus, it's already in your bladder within 20 minutes, which doesn't give your body enough time to stay properly hydrated.

• Choose room-temperature or lukewarm water to give your body time to hydrate properly.

🍉 3. Food hydration

• In summer, choose foods rich in water such as cucumber, watermelon, or light soups.

  
  

• In winter, opt for nourishing broths, herbal teas, and compotes.

☯️ 4. Balancing Yin and Yang

• Good hydration nourishes Yin, which is essential for balancing Yang, especially in cases of stress, overwork or insomnia.

🧘‍♀️ To go further: hydration as an act of prevention

Drinking water nourishes life.

It's a practice of health, regeneration, and balance.

In the office, we can assess together:

• Your energetic landscape (Yin, Yang, Qi, Blood, fluids)

• Your specific hydration needs according to the season and your constitution

• Plants, acupuncture points, and dietary recommendations to support your organs responsible for hydration (Kidneys, Spleen, Lungs).

There you go 🥰 Take care of yourself ♥️