Spring Cleaning for Your Liver
Spring is the season of the Wood Element, which correlates to the Liver according to Chinese Medicine. The amazing Liver energy drives us to set plans and goals and utilize the "reserves of energy" we built during the Winter months. Nature is on board with this concept. You may notice the birds are out and about, the bees are bustling around the flowers, new plant growth is sprouting everywhere, and the tree pollen is making a nice coating on your car and stuffing up your nose! (See my blog post on seasonal allergies for some relief here.)
From a Chinese Medical perspective, five elements (fire, earth, metal, water, wood) have corresponding organs, seasons, climate, color, emotions, smells, sounds, and tastes. The theory helps us to understand better and navigate the world we live in. Let's dive into the Wood Element and how we can optimize the functions of the Liver during Springtime.
Spring Season - The Wood Element
Organ: Liver/Gallbladder
Season: Spring
Color: Green
Flavor: Sour
Emotion: Anger
Climate: Wind
Sensory Organ: Eyes
Direction: East
Development: Birth
The energetics of spring is upward and outward (like a new flower bud reaching for the sunlight above the soil). It is a time to come out of hibernation, start new projects, expand, and move outward into the world. It is the season of new beginnings, growth, and opportunity. The expansive energy of buds sprouting and the green color relates to the Liver in Chinese Medicine.
The color green is relevant to guide us towards foods that nourish the Liver or in observing a person who may have a 'greenish' complexion, a sign the Liver is out of balance. Many green foods, such as leafy greens like spinach and kale or broccoli, beans, and peas, are fast-growing foods with an ascending expansive energy and nourish the Liver.
The Liver has many functions to keep the body in balance. It moves energy, regulates blood flow, and detoxifies all our body's waste. As one of the essential functions, the Liver is responsible for metabolizing EVERYTHING that enters our body, from the food we eat, the alcohol or coffee we drink to prescription medications, vitamin supplements, and, a biggie, our stress! Phew! That is a lot of work for one organ. No wonder the Liver can get a little cranky from time to time!
The Liver, according to Chinese Medicine, is responsible for the smooth flow of energy in the body (Qi) and correlates to the emotion of anger. When the Liver channel is out of balance, energy (Qi) stagnates, anger rises, and frustrations, stress, and muscle tension occur. During Springtime, the Liver organ/channel is most affected by this season. Thus, we can modify our diet and lifestyle to support the Liver. Below are some tips on how to benefit the Liver during Spring.
Supporting the Liver
Exercise
Tai Chi is a gentle way to nourish and move the body.
Movement of any kind soothes the Liver energy and balances our mood. It doesn’t have to be a high intensity work-out. A short and brisk walk around the neighborhood, a gentle Yoga class or bike ride will do the trick!
Walking, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Yoga, Chair Yoga, Stretching, Bike rides are great Spring time activities to get the Liver energy moving and soothe the mind.
Take a 15-20 minute walk after dinner every day. Getting outside in fresh air does wonders for our body, mind, and spirit.
Do gentle stretches at night while watching TV or before bedtime.
It does not have to be hours at the gym to benefit from movement. Moving your body frees up the stagnant energy, aids in digestion, balances the mood, and soothes the mind.
Your Liver will thank you.
Diet/Nutrition
If you eat according to season, your body will naturally detoxify the excess build up from our “Winter hibernation.” Dark leafy greens, asparagus and other green foods are natural detoxifiers. Since the taste associated with the Liver is sour, you can add a squeeze of lemon to your water in the morning to aid in digestion and detoxification.
Vegetables: cooked spinach, swiss chard, dandelion greens, asparagus, artichokes, green beans, brocolli, sprouts, dark green lettuce
Fruits: kiwi, grapes, avocado
Beans: lima beans, green lentils.
Drinks: Slice of lemon in water to aid in detoxification (one of your Liver’s functions), green tea, dandelion tea, peppermint tea
Sour: lemons, limes, fermented foods, pomegranates, berries
Add more of these foods into your daily meals for extra Liver support.
Stress Management
The Liver is also associated with the emotion of anger, and the energetics of expansion. When we become out of balance in life, our expansive energy comes to a halt, and we feel stagnant or stuck. This may cause anger and frustration to arise, disrupting the smooth flow of the Liver function and wreaking havoc on our body. The stagnant Liver energy causes stress, frustration, and anger, as well as physical symptoms like muscle tension, PMS, menstrual irregularities, and even digestive issues. Stress management is key to keep the Liver happy.
Seek out nature to calm the anger and frustration that stirs up during the Wood Element/Spring season.
Breathe in the fresh air, soak in the sunshine, listen to the songs of the birds in the morning, and take a moment to take in your surroundings. Mindfulness helps quiet the mind chatter, and quiet the chaotic emotions. I love insight timer for free guided meditations.
Take time at a red light to take some deeper breaths, making sure the belly is expanding on each inhalation and contracting on each exhalation. You can even say to yourself, “I am breathing in calm, and breathing out peace.”
Sleep
Western Medicine acknowledges how circadian rhythms impact our bodies, and Chinese Medicine takes a more detailed approach with a Clock that correlates to how energy (Qi) moves through each organ. Each 2-hour time block corresponds to an organ; the Gallbladder is 11 pm-1 am, and the Liver is 1 am-3 am. During these two-hour intervals, the organs are doing their most important work. So, if you are up past 11 pm, you disrupt the Gallbladder’s ability to work, which then trickles in the the Liver not functioning properly.
Even if you aren’t technically asleep by 11pm, lying down by 10:30 pm every night is essential for the Gallbladder and Liver to do its job in detoxifying and repairing. If you are a night owl, try reading in bed until you fall asleep.
Wellness Acupuncture Visits
Acupuncture brings balance to the mind, body and spirit.
Acupuncture “tune ups” support the Liver function during the seasonal change, smoothes the flow of energy (Qi) , balances the mood, and aids in seasonal allergies.
As always Sarasota, I am here for your health and wellness needs.
Happy Spring!
Dr. Jen