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Spring, According to traditional chinese medicine
Spring has special meaning for nature-loving cultures around the world, and Traditional Chinese Medicine is no exception. According to TCM, Yin Qi, which dominates the winter, is now in decline, and Yang Qi is beginning to arise out of the waning Yin. It’s akin to the sunrise coming after the darkest night. It’s the time the energy of life bursts forth from the seemingly dead soil, and when the warmth of the sun begins to thaw the ice and cold of the winter. It’s the time of new beginnings.
According to TCM, spring corresponds with the following:
Element: Wood
Body Parts: Tendons and connective tissue, liver, gallbladder, eyes
Color: Green
Taste: Sour
Negative emotion: Anger
Positive emotion: Compassion
Mental activity: Planning and strategy
Pathogenic Factor: Wind
Bearing in mind the above associations, here are a few things you can do to take advantage of the energy of spring, and to harmonize your body with the season:
Eat foods that are good for your Liver and Gallbladder: milk thistle, dandelion, beets and beet tops, Swiss chard, sour zests of citrus rinds like lime and lemon, and greens are all good for the liver and gallbladder, according to TCM, and many of these foods have been shown to reduce inflammation in the liver in western studies as well.
Treat your eyes well. The liver is said by TCM to control the eyes, and overuse of them for reading/looking at small print and screens is said to damage the liver over time. Remember to look away every few minutes at distant objects, and try to limit the amount of screen time you have each day to what is necessary.
Eat your greens. Greens are associated with spring not just because they are bursting forth from the ground during this season, but because the color itself is associated energetically with spring by Chinese medicine, and green foods are said to nourish the liver. By eating foods that are in season, we are also helping to support the sense of new growth within ourselves.
Eat sour foods. Sour foods are also said to harmonize us with spring, and to soften and soothe the liver. If eaten in moderation, they are also said to soften the tendons. Balsamic vinegar, rice vinegar, grapefruit, pickled vegetables, and granny smith apples are all good examples of sour foods.
Stretch, and practice yoga. According to the ancient people of China, the tendons are subject to spasm this time of year. You might have noticed increases in neck, back, and joint pain, and that the pains seem to come and go. This is because of the pathogenic “wind” attacking the channels. Perhaps on a more practical level, if you are just getting back into activity with the onset of warmer weather, you need to be careful to warm your tendons into the new routine.
Start something new. It’s the time of new beginnings, need I say more? Perhaps an activity or project, perhaps a relationship.
Meditate. Now is the time for a good dose of Loving-Kindness and Compassion meditation for yourself and others. This will not only incline the mind to compassion, but will also help to counter the bursts of anger spring brings out in some people. Just sit, become aware of your body, relax, and think “may i be happy, may all beings be happy”, and “may I be free of stress and pain, may all beings be free from stress and pain”.
Reduce exposure to drafts. If it’s windy, wear a wind breaker or scarf. It may be warmer, but according to TCM you can still contract “Wind” on a windy day or in a drafty room, especially if you feel that draft is bothering you.
Get an acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture can help you harmonize with the season. Come get a treatment so that you can optimize your health during this spring.
May All Beings Be Happy,
Craig Swogger, L.Ac.
Element: Wood
Body Parts: Tendons and connective tissue, liver, gallbladder, eyes
Color: Green
Taste: Sour
Negative emotion: Anger
Positive emotion: Compassion
Mental activity: Planning and strategy
Pathogenic Factor: Wind
Bearing in mind the above associations, here are a few things you can do to take advantage of the energy of spring, and to harmonize your body with the season:
Eat foods that are good for your Liver and Gallbladder: milk thistle, dandelion, beets and beet tops, Swiss chard, sour zests of citrus rinds like lime and lemon, and greens are all good for the liver and gallbladder, according to TCM, and many of these foods have been shown to reduce inflammation in the liver in western studies as well.
Treat your eyes well. The liver is said by TCM to control the eyes, and overuse of them for reading/looking at small print and screens is said to damage the liver over time. Remember to look away every few minutes at distant objects, and try to limit the amount of screen time you have each day to what is necessary.
Eat your greens. Greens are associated with spring not just because they are bursting forth from the ground during this season, but because the color itself is associated energetically with spring by Chinese medicine, and green foods are said to nourish the liver. By eating foods that are in season, we are also helping to support the sense of new growth within ourselves.
Eat sour foods. Sour foods are also said to harmonize us with spring, and to soften and soothe the liver. If eaten in moderation, they are also said to soften the tendons. Balsamic vinegar, rice vinegar, grapefruit, pickled vegetables, and granny smith apples are all good examples of sour foods.
Stretch, and practice yoga. According to the ancient people of China, the tendons are subject to spasm this time of year. You might have noticed increases in neck, back, and joint pain, and that the pains seem to come and go. This is because of the pathogenic “wind” attacking the channels. Perhaps on a more practical level, if you are just getting back into activity with the onset of warmer weather, you need to be careful to warm your tendons into the new routine.
Start something new. It’s the time of new beginnings, need I say more? Perhaps an activity or project, perhaps a relationship.
Meditate. Now is the time for a good dose of Loving-Kindness and Compassion meditation for yourself and others. This will not only incline the mind to compassion, but will also help to counter the bursts of anger spring brings out in some people. Just sit, become aware of your body, relax, and think “may i be happy, may all beings be happy”, and “may I be free of stress and pain, may all beings be free from stress and pain”.
Reduce exposure to drafts. If it’s windy, wear a wind breaker or scarf. It may be warmer, but according to TCM you can still contract “Wind” on a windy day or in a drafty room, especially if you feel that draft is bothering you.
Get an acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture can help you harmonize with the season. Come get a treatment so that you can optimize your health during this spring.
May All Beings Be Happy,
Craig Swogger, L.Ac.
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