Nourishing the Kidneys

Some foods to eat for fertility that support Kidneys  (Bob Flaws The Tao of Eating)

Each of the five elements in TCM has a flavour attributed to it, and the Water flavour which governs Kidneys is salty. To support the Water element, eat foods that have salty flavour likes: miso, sea salt, tamari, salted raw sauerkraut or kimchee (Korean cultured vegetables).

Kidney shaped foods: black beans, kidney beans, most beans – Because beans are kidney shaped as well as seeds with potential for new life, these foods have long been considered especially nourishing to the Kidneys.

Blue and black foods: Blueberries, blackberries, mulberry, black beans – The colors blue and black correspond to the Water element of the Kidneys. It is possible to strengthen the Water element by eating blue/black foods.

Seafood: fish, shrimp, seaweeds – all support the Water element.

Seeds: flax, pumpkins, sunflower, black sesame – seeds relate to fertility and growth which is governed by Kidney energy

Animal Products: Pork, duck, lamb, eggs, cheese – Small amounts of animal protein can be used therapeutically here.

Grains: Barley, Millet. These are both mildly cooling and nourishing to Yin.

Vegetables: Asparagus, Deep green leafy vegetables –Deep green leafy
vegetables build the Blood, and since Blood is a Yin fluid, they are highly recommended.
Also moist vegetables such as cucumbers and celery are helpful.

Fruits and Melons: These are emphasized since they are moistening and mildly cooling.

Tonics: Spirulina, kelp, chlorella, wheatgrass – These mineral rich foods build the Blood which enhances Yin. They are also high in nucleic acids (RDA/DNA) which have been shown to reduce signs of aging.

Mineral rich herbs: Nettles, Oat straw. Nettles is a gentle, cooling tonic that supports the Blood and Kidneys, while oat straw strengthens the nerves.

ESSENCE NOURISHMENT

• 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
• 1/2 cup sunflower
• 1/2 cup brown flax seeds
• 1/2 cup golden flax seeds
• 1/2 cup black sesame seeds
• 1/2 cup white sesame seeds

Dry toast the pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds in a frying pan by continually moving the pan over medium heat, until the seeds start to pop. Mix all of the smaller seeds in a pan and dry toast them until they pop. This usually takes only a short period of time, 2-5 minutes, depending on your burner setting. The two different size seeds are prepared separately because the small ones cook more quickly. Mix all seeds together and sprinkle over food or eat as a snack.