Ittt'ssss Spring Time!
The happy season of Spring is upon us! Spring is the time of growth, creativity and movement, but some may feel the effects of the Liver Element creeping in. Each season has its own unique set of properties in Chinese Medicine. Spring is associated with the element of wood and is the time of Liver and Gallbladder. In TCM we believe that as the seasons change, so should we, adapting to create good health.
As we move away from Winter, the utmost season of Yin, and move into the light of Spring, we are returning to Yang. Living in harmony with our environment helps us to prevent illness and imbalances. The color associated with wood element is green, and it’s no coincidence that greenery is abundant during these months. The liver and gallbladder are associated with the tendons and are responsible for the smooth flow of energy and blood through the body. Being more active and spending more time outside can be a great way to strengthen the liver and gallbladder during this time.
The Liver is one of the most important organs for clearing, cleansing, renewing and energizing your body. The liver is related to your ability to plan ahead, while the gallbladder is related to your ability to finalize decisions. When the Qi (pronounced Chee) of the body is free flowing, there will be less stress in the body. The emotional Qi will also flow smooth, the fluids in the body will flow with ease, the body will feel nourished, and the mind will be even and calm.
The Spring is a great time to help the liver get into balance. This is the best season to work on your emotional growth and make plans for the year ahead. What shifts do you want to make? While the Liver is referred to as an army general due to its stern character, it is responsible for the smooth flow of emotions and blood and is actually a sensitive yin organ. The gallbladder is the decision maker, the organ that has the courage to act, involved in planning and inspiration. Here are so ways you can love your liver:
• A simple tea I love to drink at this time of the year is Dandelion Root. One of the livers main jobs is to detoxify. The liver is responsible for the metabolism of fat, detoxification of drugs, breaking down carbohydrates and producing heat for the body.
• Cut down on alcohol, starchy foods and sugar, which are hard to digest and hurt the spleen and stomach. Foods that support the blood and clear heat and stagnation are also helpful.
• Eat early. Chinese Medicine believes that the night time is for cleansing and healing the body from the day before. By eating late at night you risk disturbing the liver and gallbladder Qi as the body will use the energy to digest rather than cleanse.
• Since the liver controls the tendons, start stretching every day! Overall stretching in great, but emphasize side bending to open the pathways of the liver and gallbladder. This helps us avoid stagnation and the many health problems that can arise when these organs are out of balance.
• Because it is important all year to relax our eyes, for the next month, try this mindfulness moment: every 20-30 minutes look away from the computer and look up at the sky, at a plane white wall, or close your eyes and take 3 deep breathes. The Liver opens into the eyes. When we stare at screens, over time the muscle surrounding our eyes slowly tightens. The muscle tightening can create headaches at the medial aspect of your eyebrows (near the 3rd eye), can create wrinkles, and can lead to eye strain and behind the eye headaches. That little moment of zen is enough to get the muscles to relax!
• Put some Lakshmi music on and get rid of some clutter! We say Spring cleaning for a reason! It is so important to detox your home just like your body!
With Gratitude,
Amanda, Rian & the Kuleana Team