Digestive connection to legs
Imagine a map and visualise the pathways of roads as they weave in and out of each other. Now imagine a similar, intricate system of channels inside us. These pathways are what we refer to as our channels or meridians. The meridian system depicts a path through which our life energy known as Qi flows.
The more free flowing Qi and Blood are (they are interchangeable), the more flexibility, energy and health you have. In fact, there is a saying in TICM "If there is free flow, there is no pain, if there is pain, there is lack of free flow”. This is where I advise you to keep your legs warm and reasons why.
As the weather gets warmer, I see people immediately in shorts and flip flops or bare ankles and legs. As tempting as this is, it is still too cold to do this until the temperatures and air are consistently warm.
Cold easily disrupts the flow of Qi (vital energy) and Blood. Cold creates stagnation and lack of flow. In the wintertime it is essential to keep the legs, ankles and feet warm. Now, though people are not going out as much, it should be easier. Wearing thin stockings, keeping ankles bare and walking around barefoot at home when it is cold or windy is what we especially try and avoid as that leads to a cold digestive system.
When the digestive system is cold, it cannot assimilate food or thoughts properly and nutrients do not get where they need to go. Because our immune system is mostly in our gut, it hinders the functioning of that as well, making the body more susceptible to pathogens.
For women, it can lead to painful and irregular menstruation. This is also true of the Liver and Gallbladder systems, as both their meridians run through the legs and play a large role in digestion through regulating Blood, Qi and emotions.
Our Stomach and Spleen are like babies, they enjoy warmth and being molly coddled. Warm water, ginger and earth toned vegetables is what they love to receive, in general just easily digestible and cooked food. Place a hot water bottle or thermal heater on the legs, feet and Stomach if you feel like your extremities are constantly cold. Do a foot soak in hot water for 30 minutes daily. You can even add ginger to it. Drink ginger powder tea daily to increase Qi and Blood circulation.
Always stay warm for the sake of your digestion and health.
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