Spring, the Liver, and the Art of Slow Unfolding
Spring feels as though it has finally arrived here in New England. The birds greet the morning sun, spring ephemerals emerge from the damp soil, and the unmistakable chorus of evening peepers echoes through twilight.
Spring unfolds slowly here—and while many of us feel impatient for warmer days, this gradual transition offers something important: space for the body to gently shift into the energy of the season.
In Chinese Medicine, Spring is associated with the Liver and the Wood element. The Liver plays a vital role in maintaining the smooth flow of Qi (energy) throughout the body and restoring blood during sleep.
On a deeper level, the Liver is connected to vision—our ability to dream, plan, and move forward with intention.
Spring invites us to reconnect with that vision.
Supporting Your Health This Spring
This season is the perfect time to introduce small, meaningful habits that support the Liver and overall well-being:
Eat more greens
Bitter and leafy foods help support Liver function and seasonal transition.
Prioritize sleep (especially 11pm–3am)
This is when the Liver does its deepest restorative work.
Make space for creativity
Whether it’s journaling, gardening, or simply quiet reflection, creative expression supports emotional flow.
Natural Allergy Relief with Acupuncture
With spring also comes pollen—and for many, seasonal allergies.
Symptoms like congestion, sneezing, sinus pressure, and itchy eyes are common this time of year and often reflect how the body is adapting to seasonal change.
Acupuncture and herbal medicine can help:
Reduce inflammation
Support immune system balance
Relieve sinus congestion and pressure
Decrease the frequency and severity of symptoms
Some of our go-to supports include:
D-Hist – a natural antihistamine blend
Bi Yan Pian – a traditional formula for sinus support
If you’re struggling with allergies, we’re happy to help guide you toward the right support.
Spring Green Soup (Adaptable + Nourishing)
This simple, flexible recipe is a beautiful way to incorporate seasonal greens:
Ingredients (flexible):
Onion, celery, carrots
Assorted green vegetables (broccoli, asparagus, zucchini, kale, spinach, etc.)
Broth (or bone broth for added nourishment)
Olive oil
Lemon, dill, salt, pepper
Instructions:
Sauté chopped onion, celery, and carrots in olive oil until softened (~5 minutes).
Add chopped green vegetables, starting with heartier ones and finishing with leafy greens.
Add broth to just cover vegetables and simmer until tender.
Add lemon juice, dill, salt, and pepper.
Blend to desired consistency.
Optional additions:
White beans or lentils for protein
Toppings: crème fraîche, parmesan, pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, goat cheese
Acupuncture for Stress, Sleep & Seasonal Transition
Spring can also bring shifts in mood, sleep, and stress levels.
At Village Acupuncture, we commonly support patients experiencing:
Difficulty sleeping
Increased stress or irritability
Muscle tension (especially neck and shoulders)
Digestive changes
Seasonal transitions that feel overwhelming
Acupuncture helps regulate the nervous system, support the body’s natural rhythms, and restore balance during times of change.
A Reflection for Spring
Instructions on Not Giving Up By Ada Limón
More than the fuchsia funnels breaking out
of the crabapple tree, more than the neighbor’s
almost obscene display of cherry limbs shoving
their cotton candy-colored blossoms to the slate
sky of Spring rains, it’s the greening of the trees
that really gets to me. When all the shock of white
and taffy, the world’s baubles and trinkets, leave
the pavement strewn with the confetti of aftermath,
the leaves come. Patient, plodding, a green skin
growing over whatever winter did to us, a return
to the strange idea of continuous living despite
the mess of us, the hurt, the empty. Fine then,
I’ll take it, the tree seems to say, a new slick leaf
unfurling like a fist to an open palm, I’ll take it all.
Listen to Ada Limón read the full poem here
Ready to Feel Better This Spring?
If you’re feeling run down, struggling with allergies, or simply want to support your health this season, we’re here to help.