Spring Health Support
In Chinese Medicine theory, every season relates to one of the 5 elements and specific organ systems - in the spring, the Wood element is most active and the liver and gallbladder are the organ systems that need the most care.
The liver and gallbladder pair are responsible for the smooth circulation of Qi, or energy, in the body. This time of year, there is more activity and growth in nature, and some themes you may see in your environment are fresh starts, rebirth, and renewal. You may feel more inspired to run a marathon, do a detox, start a new project, plant a garden, or spring clean the house - activities that show that your body's qi is responding to the energy of the season.
For some, spring brings allergies, migraines, and stress rather than sunshine and rainbows. If your body has difficulty adjusting to the rising energy of the season, you may experience symptoms of liver and gallbladder disharmony: muscle tension and tightness, frequent headaches, red eyes, premenstrual symptoms, fatigue, allergies, and greater anger, frustration, or stress.
In the early spring days, here’s what you can do to support the health and optimal functioning of your liver and gallbladder:
1. Lighten up. To keep your liver and gallbladder clear, try to keep your diet light and include foods that emphasize the yang, ascending, and regenerative qualities of spring. Too many rich, heavy, greasy foods can cause congestion within this organ pair and impair their ability to circulate qi and blood. This congestion is referred to as "damp-heat accumulation" and can lead to gallstones, high cholesterol, plaque in the arteries, or inflammation.
2. Eat your greens. Green is the color of the Wood element and supports the health of the liver and gallbladder. Leafy greens are now growing in abundance and easy to include in your meals. Sprouts are especially appropriate to eat, as they represent the “fresh starts” of the season. Bitter greens are cleansing for the liver and gallbladder and promote better digestion. Use sprouts on your sandwiches, add wheatgrass to your smoothies, or mix mustard greens and arugula into your salads.
3. Savor sour. Sour flavors favor the Wood element and, like bitters, help to stimulate digestion and clear congestion in the liver. The sour flavor has a moistening and softening effect, soothing tension in the liver channel and easing tightness of the tendons and ligaments. Try some sauerkraut or kimchi as a sour side dish, use vinegar-based dressings, or drink kombucha in between meals.
4. Go for a walk. One of the best ways to move stagnant energy is to get moving and take in some fresh air. Stagnant energy can bring up feelings like irritability, stress, writer’s block, or tension headaches. Walking is the exercise associated with the Wood element and is a quick fix for liver qi stagnation.
5. Take time to stretch. The liver and gallbladder systems are said to nourish the sinews, ligaments and tendons and maintain their health and flexibility. If the Wood element is out of balance, these structures will become tight or weak. You may feel particularly out of whack where these meridians travel, including your ITB (iliotibial band), hips, psoas, ribcage, neck, and shoulders. Spending time in a good stretch will help relax and nourish these tissues to relieve symptoms of liver qi stagnation. Triangle pose, side stretches, psoas releases, and gentle twists are especially beneficial for the liver and gallbladder.
6. Be creative. In Chinese medicine theory, every organ “houses” a spirit, which corresponds to a certain aspect of our psyche. Our ability to plan, dream, create, and have a vision relates to the spirit of the liver, the Hun (or Ethereal Soul). We can tap into the spirit of the Hun and keep our liver qi flowing by expressing ourselves creatively or starting new projects. Try dancing, drawing, painting, or building to keep your Wood element balanced.
7. Easy on your eyes. The liver and gallbladder meridians open into the eyes, and oftentimes acupuncture points along these channels are used to treat vision disorders, pain and irritation of the eyes. When these organ systems are out of balance, it may be reflected in the health of the eyes. Likewise, overuse or straining the eyes can also cause imbalance in these meridians. You can maintain the health of your eyes with simple eye exercises, nutritional supplements (omega-3’s, lutein, and vitamin C and E), UV protection, and less screen time.
8. Try acupuncture or health + wellness coaching. Too many changes in our environment and surroundings can make us feel a little bit out of sorts. If you feel more tired, irritable, stressed out, or just generally thrown off by the time change and the seasonal change, consider one of our services to help you recalibrate to the season! There are many acupuncture points that help reinforce the body’s ability to sync up with the changes. Health + wellness coaching can help you manage your stress and develop habits that support the optimal functioning of your liver and gallbladder.
We’d love to help you thrive this season, if you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please schedule online or call (843) 937-6890.
