The spring season brings to life new growth and time of regeneration. It brings us out of hibernation and encourages outdoor activities in the sun. Changes in nature are happening all around us out in the woods or in our own backyards. We see flowers popping up everywhere and farmers markets gearing up for the season, and grocery stores marketing seasonal produce and tools to excite us all to dust off our grills. Hello barbecues and sunshine! Despite our moderate winter here in Asheville, I’m welcoming spring with open arms and feeling the buzz of productivity take off.
In Chinese medicine we view spring as yin transforming into yang, giving us the boost in productivity we are craving as winter comes to a close. According to traditional Chinese medicine there are five elements that dominate the seasons and correspond with certain body organs, each element also having a flavor, emotion, and color. Each of the elements interacts and depends on the other. Spring is dominated by the liver which is represented by the wood element, the emotion anger, the color green, and the flavor sour. The gallbladder is a complementary organ to the liver that is also represented by the wood element. In nature wood likes to go up and out in all directions, and can ultimately leave us feeling somewhat out of balance. Because the liver is in charge of regulating the smooth flow of qi throughout the body, it has a tendency to stagnate making springtime a terrific time for cleansing or rejuvenation for our overall health and well-being by supporting our liver and gallbladder.
It may surprise you to learn that common symptoms experienced during springtime can include irritability, anger, depression, nausea, stiff muscles or body aches, red or irritated eyes. It’s also common for the liver to become ‘excess’ in the spring and to overact on other organs, most often by impacting the earth element, represented by the spleen and stomach. These symptoms may show up as abdominal pain or distension, loose stools, or acid regurgitation.
We can foster this change and soothe our liver qi by embracing the wood element by adopting a lifestyle that will work in harmony with the season. Weekly acupuncture treatments will help to maintain the balance between the body’s organs and is a great way to support the liver and regulate the flow of qi throughout the entire body all year long but especially in springtime. In addition to acupuncture great ways to support our liver qi this season include activities that encourage smooth flow of qi such as movement, especially outdoors, stretching as the liver helps to maintain tendon health, eye exercises because the liver is connected to proper eye function, eating foods that are sour in flavor like adding lemon to your water or vinegar as a salad dressing. Eating ‘with’ the season supports the liver. These spring season foods include fresh leafy greens, beets, onions, leeks, yams, dates, cilantro, parsley, mushrooms, spinach, and other chlorophyll rich foods. Supplements that may be helpful include milk thistle to encourage healthy gentle detoxification and protect the liver cells from toxins. Happy Spring!