The Beauty of Spring
Spring is the yang within yin.
It is the pivot between rest and action. It stirs up our inner fire, oftentimes cultivating a deeper desire to branch upward and outward.
From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, Spring has a predisposition towards wind (immunity, histamines), the emotional weight of anger and irritation, and requires us to focus on the health of our liver, gallbladder, and eyes.
The liver is the only organ in the human body that is capable of regenerating itself. Much like the budding energy of Spring, the liver provides us with the energy needed transform with every one of life’s seasons. It teaches us that we can grow from our experiences and establish resilience.
As the plants and animals buzz with life around us, our inner landscape awakens. This call for transformation shifts old patterns and pushes us along our paths (oftentimes, whether we like it or not).
The winter’s emotion of grief gives way to spring’s anger—this is no coincidence. How can we lean into the anger without fanning the flames? The springtime asks us to examine our anger long enough to understand what rests underneath.
Spring reminds us that transformation requires us to step out of our comfort zones and into the path of change.
The organs of Spring
The liver and the gallbladder.
The Liver— The liver regulates the free-flow of energy, like a directing force, providing a steady path for energy to go where it’s meant to. The liver stores blood and is an essential organ in healthy menstruation and sleep as a result.
The General— The liver is known as “the general” as it governs how energy flows in the body. It is prone to both stagnation and heat.
Wind— The liver is susceptible to wind. This can manifest as seasonal allergies, headaches, dizziness, eye issues, and muscle spasms.
Emotional Wellbeing
The liver and anger
The liver is the only organ in the human body that is capable of regenerating itself. Much like the budding energy of Spring, the liver provides us with the energy needed transform and transmute.
The winter’s emotion of grief gives way to spring’s anger—this is no coincidence. The springtime asks us to examine our anger long enough to understand what rests underneath.
Reflection Questions
How can we lean into anger without fanning the flames?
Why do we fear our anger?
What would happen if we held it with open arms?
What is the anger protecting us from?
What action is the anger asking us to carry forward?
Acupuncture for Spring
As an acupuncturist and Chinese medicine doctor, individual diagnosis based on each patient’s unique constitution is always the driving force when deciding acupuncture points, herbal recommendations, and diet therapy. With that being said, the primary focus of most acupuncture treatments in Spring is to soothe the liver, nourish fluids, and consolidate the exterior.
What does this mean?
Soothing the liver- During this season, we can feel the pull to action. As the flowers bud and blood, we feel our energy rise and surge. This is a beautiful contrast to the inner work and stillness of winter. With this uptick in energy, we can find ourselves in cycles of burnout, feeling more prone to anger and irritation, or be quick to say “yes” to all of the social engagements we really, really want to skip in lieu of a night at home in PJs. With this natural tendency to bloom outwards, the liver can create stagnation in the flow of our energy as we draw from it more and more.
Fluids-In the spring, our skin, hair, and lungs are more prone to dryness. This can lead to exacerbation of skin conditions, dry coughs, and brittle hair and nails.
Exterior- The liver is prone to wind. This can manifest in the Spring as seasonal allergies, worsened skin conditions, and more frequent headaches or dizzy spells.
TCM Herbs for Spring
Traditional Chinese Medicine Herbs to keep in your home herbal pharmacy all Spring long.
Ju Hua- chrysanthemum- anchors the liver, dredges heat, clears the eyes, mitigates wind, headaches, and dizziness
Bo He- peppermint- moves stagnant energy, especially if it feels caught in the chest, eyes, or throat, soothes the liver
Gou Qi Zi- goji berry- nourishes liver and the eyes, balances a lot of the cold herbs on this list
Wu Wei Zi- schisandra- dry cough, heat-induced insomnia, build resilience to stressors as an adaptogen
Pu Gong Ying- dandelion (root)- a great herb for deep rage, strongly clears heat, UTIs
TCM Seasonal Foods for Spring
Vegetables - cooked dandelion, chard, kale, kimchi, asparagus, radish, radicchio, mustard greens, spinach, bok choy, daikon, celery, arugula
Fruit- kiwi, citrus, strawberry, raspberry
Nuts & Grains- amaranth, wild rice, almond, pumpkin seed, chia seed, barley, oat, rye, millet, quinoa
Protein- mung bean, chicken, chicken egg, tofu, white fish, lentils
Feeling the call to balance your mind and body this Spring? Book your session with me in person in Claremont, CA or online.
