Springtime in Chinese Medicine
Spring is here! Well, OK, that may be wishful thinking for those of us who live in New England; it’d be more accurate to say that late winter is here, or pre-mud season. Still, a certain change in energy can be felt come March. People start to make plans. Move around. Envision changes, projects, trips. We’re coming out of hibernation. And, with the pandemic showing (*fingers crossed*) some signs of remitting, we’re transitioning not only out of winter but also two years of relative isolation.
All of which is to say, It’s a pivotal time for the Wood energy!
In Chinese medicine, the Wood element is associated with springtime and the Liver organ system, which governs the free flow of energy throughout the body. This all-important flow encompasses mind, body, and spirit, which is why such diverse activities as therapy, exercise, and artistic expression can–each in its own way–help our qi to course, to remain unstuck. Conversely, stagnation on any level–repressed emotion, physical inactivity, feeling lost and frustrated in life–can create symptoms affecting the whole person.
What, exactly, does “Wood element” or “Wood energy” mean here? Imagine it as the growth principle, the green shoot rearing up from the cold-damp earth. The nature of Wood qi is to grow, to move from the yin of the soil toward the yang of the sun. And the same dynamic is working in us as well! When in balance, the Wood qi allows us to move, to evolve, to express, to get things done. (Those with a Liver constitution are often some of the most productive people out there!) On the other hand, stagnation of this energy can wreak havoc in the form of anger, depression, insomnia, headaches, menstrual irregularities, poor digestion, and more.
As we move into the Spring, here are some recommendations to care for the Liver….
Nothing keeps things moving like, well, moving. It’s normal to be a bit sluggish after the long winter. You don’t have to go from zero to hero. But walking, stretching, and all forms of exercise can help.
Eat fresh foods! Green is the color associated with the Liver in Chinese medicine, and green herbs and veggies are especially good picks this time of year: kale, collards, dandelion, mint. (Get ‘em right as they’re coming out of the ground!) Spicy foods and aromatic essential oils promote flow when we feel stuck. Sour food and drink restrains the Liver when we feel irritable.
And, of course, get acupuncture! Acupuncture works wonders when it comes to moving the qi; that’s practically its definition. If necessary, our practitioners may also prescribe herbal remedies that can help.