Have you begun your spring cleaning? If you have, you are right in alignment with the spring season according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Spring is the quintessential time of creating, cleansing, activity and movement, growth, and renewal.
In Traditional Chinese 5-Element Theory spring is associated with the Wood element which corresponds to the Liver organ and energy. Therefore, spring is also the time to focus on releasing emotions that no longer serve us—specifically those rooted in anger, resentment, frustration, and lethargy (all associated with the Liver).
Just as new plants are pushing up from the earth and sprouting, now is the time to emerge from dormancy and blossom in health, mental clarity, and emotional well-being.
Here’s how you can most effectively take advantage of the spring season for renewed health:
- Cleanse (physically and emotionally)
- Support the organs associated with spring
- Boost immunity
Spring is the Season of the Liver and Gall Bladder
The Liver and Gall Bladder are at their peak of activity during the spring, making it a perfect time to focus on supporting their function.
The Liver and Gall Bladder work together to move Qi, blood and bile, and play pivotal roles in:
- Spleen and Lung health—which can affect your immunity and susceptibility to seasonal allergies
- Eye health—clear vision moving forward
- The tendons—which can impact flexibility and strength
The Physical Side of Spring Cleaning
The color green is associated with the wood element and spring, therefore focus on green vegetables in springtime. Leafy greens like spinach, arugula, mixed baby greens, kale, chard, lettuces, sprouts, and dandelion all have powerful Liver/Gall Bladder purifying qualities. The more bitter the leafy green, the more cleansing power it holds! Radishes, asparagus and artichokes are also very supportive of the Liver and Gall Bladder.
Sour foods help move Liver Qi so be sure to increase lemon in your water, vinaigrettes, pickled vegetables, citrus, rhubarb, tart apples and cherries, cranberries and sauerkraut.
It’s also advisable to continue consuming warm, cooked foods and liquids, in addition to the more cooling foods mentioned above (salads, etc.).
Drinking green tea is a powerful way to nourish the Liver!
The Emotional Side of Spring Cleansing
Spring is one of the best times of year to make some intentional personal and emotional progress.
Why? Because the Liver, as the Yin organ, is responsible for the smooth flow of blood and emotions throughout the body.
The Liver is also the organ most affected by stagnant emotions and stress! So, you may feel more irritable during the spring season as we adjust from the inward state of Winter to the outward state of Summer. This is often caused by the energy of the Liver becoming stagnant or too excessive leading to frustration, irritability and anger. Depression is often a result of long-term Liver Qi stagnation so keep your Liver Qi moving to balance your emotional self!
The person who understands the way of nourishing the Liver, therefore, never throws fits of anger.
Zhang Huang, Ming Dynasty
So now is the time to plan and prepare your physical and emotional body to release what is no longer needed and nourish new growth and development.
The Gall Bladder, as the organ paired with the Liver, is responsible for storing and excreting bile and governs decision making, planning, dreaming, inspiration and assertiveness.
Advice for Regulating Emotions
Some things you can do to balance your emotions by moving the Liver Qi are:
- Deep breathing
- Take advantage of the warmer weather to get outdoors as much as possible (exercise and meditating outdoors is a great way to do this)
- Movement moves your Qi so start an exercise program of walking, dancing, Qigong, yoga, running, cycling, swimming, etc.
- Get your hands dirty and start planting your vegetable garden
- Walk through nature and listen to the birds sing
- Walk barefoot to get grounded and reconnect with the season
- Call up an old friend you haven’t spoken to in a while and have a good chat
- Laugh
- Spring clean your home
- Try something new
- Forgive as much and as often as you can
- Check things off your to-do list
- Enjoy a sauna, steam, or soak to help with detoxification
- Keep warm and protect yourself from the wind. Wind can allow other pathogens to get into your body so ensure you have a hoodie, coat or scarf at all times in spring! Wind can give rise to headaches, stiff neck and back, and colds/flues. Because the wind can allow other factors to enter the body (hot, cold, damp, dryness) wind is considered to be the worst “evil” in TCM.
Remember:
- In spring, focus your attention on your Liver/Gall Bladder channel with respect to diet, stress and lifestyle
- Focus on of green, sour and seasonal foods to help support Liver/Gall Bladder health
- Allow your awareness to be on being emotionally flexible and letting go
- Get moving and planting in your garden
- Breathe deeply and get into nature as often as possible
- Keep warm and protect yourself from the wind.
- Schedule an appointment with your local acupuncturist for a seasonal support session
Spring cleaning your body is not difficult when you focus on nourishing your Liver & Gall Bladder. Wishing you rejuvenation during this spring season – inside and out!