kidney love and ginger compress
Kidneys and Bladder
The kidneys and bladder govern the water element and support the sense of fluidity and flow in the body.
They reside in the lower back, just below the lowest floating rib.
In Chinese Medicine, the bladder is considered to be the storehouse of emotions and the kidneys hold vitality and longevity.
When we look at our skin: tone, color, dullness, vibrancy, we can learn a lot about what is happening below.
These organs are affected by external temperatures when it is too cold. This can impact our vitality.
We have the power to strengthen our kidney energy by learning how to rest and reflect. When we find ourselves out of balance, fear can take over. Fear can manifest as negative thinking, phobias, inability to commit, lack of willpower, lack of ambition, etc.
This 'Ginger Compress' offers heat and nourishment to these organs.
Method:
Make a large pot of ginger tea, using about one handful of chopped, fresh ginger to a gallon of water. Place the ginger in a covered pot, bring the water to a boil, and simmer for about 20-30 minutes on low.
While the tea is brewing, set up your quiet space. You will be lying on your stomach and can use something like a yoga mat with a few towels or blankets on top of it. Make sure you use towels/blankets that you do not mind getting a bit wet (ginger tea will not stain) .
Have a small or medium sized hand towel ready for the compress, and a dry towel nearby for post-treatment. You may also want to have pillows nearby to help you feel comfortable when lying on your stomach. You can create a soothing environment by lighting candles, playing soft music, or using aromatherapy in the room. Tune out from electronics and distractions during this time. It is also a nice time for journaling.
Prepare your body for your treatment: You may choose to only remove your shirt and massage the upper body, making sure you cover the kidney area in the center of your back body.
Carefully uncover the pot of tea. Hold both ends of your hand towel and dip the middle of it into the tea, letting it sit in the liquid for a few moments. Gently lift it out of the water and twist the ends of the towel to squeeze some of the water/tea out of the middle. It will be quite hot, so be careful not to burn yourself. Let the towel unroll and shake it out very gently over the pot to release some of the heat. It should be damp but not sopping.
With care, test the heat of the towel on your hand or arm (you may be surprised at how sensitive your back can be). When you feel ready, lie down on your belly, and folding the damp towel once, place it over your kidney area. You may want to use one hand to add some pressure to the towel for a moment.
Rest for a few minutes, relaxing into the heat of the towel.
When the towel starts to cool, re-heat it and repeat the process. **Do this for a maximum of 25-30 minutes.**
When finished, you might feel drawn to taking a warm shower or climbing into a warm bed.
When you are resting with compress on your back, explore these prompts:
-Where do I hold fear in my body?
-How do I work through fear?
-How do I release fear?
-What does fear teach me? How does it fool me?
-What motivates me?