Winter Roots

We've had our first sprinkling of snow and next week is Thanksgiving, so it seems appropriate to talk a little bit about nourishing ourselves in the winter especially through food and herbs.  One of the best ways to harmonize with the energy of a season is to eat food or take medicines that reflect the nature of the season.

In the winter, the energy of the plants is sinking into their roots.  Our energy is similarly traveling deep into our body and can be best supported by rooted activities especially sleeping, meditation, and very slow, gentle physical practice.  We can also nourish ourselves by literally eating roots.  Eating warm, cooked vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, beets, yams, potatoes, turnips, and others can nourish our own deeper energy.  Roasting these kinds of vegetables in the oven with some olive oil and warming spices such as cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, turmeric, and anise can produce a simple kitchen medicine treat for our bodies in the cold winter.

Traditional medicines take this practice one step further by having us ingest special root herbs that are considered Tonic or Elixirs.  These special medicines are considered to enhance the life force (qi or prana), benefit the immune system, strengthen fertility, and nourish the mind.  Late fall and winter is a traditional time to incorporate more of these kinds of medicines into your diet and life-style as a way to strengthen, protect, and augment the body during the harshness of winter.

Here is a list of some common Elixir herbs:

Astragalus-This golden root from Chinese medicine strengthens our digestive organs, our lungs, and our reproductive organs, and specifically enhance our Wei Qi or protective qi.  It is great to take as a preventative medicine against colds and flus.  Traditionally, it is contraindicated when we have an acute cold or flu.

Ashwaganda-This warming root from Ayurvedic medicine is a powerful rejuvenative medicine, but is not overwhelming.  It boosts our energy and vitality, including reproductive energy and immunity without being overly heating or stimulating.  It is often taken with milk as a milk decoction and is safe for children, adults, and elders.  It both gives us energy and helps us sleep.  A truly precious treasure.

Ginseng-There are many different kinds of ginseng available, especially in our 21st century e-commerce world.  The traditional Ginseng, Panax ginseng is from China or Korea and is often red in color.  It is a very strong, Qi enhancing medicine and can be over-stimulating for many people or in too large of a quantity.  It also boosts immunity, reproductive energy, and nourishes the spirit.  In Chinese Medicine, it is often considered the king of medicines.  Used cautiously in small amounts, it can strengthen and warm us through the winter.

American Ginseng is now cultivated in many different places in the US, though it is still protected as a wild plant.  This potent medicine has a distinctively cooling energy that enhances our lungs, stomach, and yin reproductive fluids.  It may need to be combined with warming herbs such as ginger or cinnamon to be effective in the winter, but it does boost energy and vitality.  It might be the herb of choice for folks for whom Chinese Ginseng is too warming or too intense.  This herb was considered very powerful, potent, and sacred in Cherokee Medicine and was also used by other Native American tribes.

Eleuthro-this plant used to be known as Siberian Ginseng and is now classified as a kind of spiny ginseng.  It is warming, boosts energy, and is especially effective at strengthening the joints, tendons and low back.  It is often used to treat arthritic types of pain made worse by cold weather, and is balancing to a stressed out mind and spirit.

These are just a few of the myriad Tonic and Elixir herbs that are out there.  Some of my students and I will be making some Elixirs at our next class using some of these herbs as well as Elecampagne root and Goji Berries.


At this time of year it may be difficult to grow or harvest these plants in your own area.  Fortunately, they are available from some excellent, sustainable green companies.


Mountain Rose Herbs has an excellent supply of organic herbs.


Floracopeia has a new line of extraordinary Elixirs.  Their Ashwaganda Rejuvenating  formula  and Ginseng Supreme are two of my favorites.


A word of caution: While the above mentioned herbs have been used traditionally to support health for a very, very long time, they may not be appropriate for everyone.  It is always wise to consult with our healthcare practitioners before taking any new substances.  Please be particularly careful and cautious if you are taking any pharmaceutical drugs or have any pre-existing medical conditions.


Next time, we will look at another of the powerful Elixir or Tonic herbs from North America: Devil's Club!