Living in harmony with the seasons and chinese medicine is a powerful way to transform your health. As the sun peeps from behind the clouds and the temperature begins to rise, our energies naturally start to lift. Spring is the new beginning and the time to rise with the early morning light and take long walks.

Energetically, Spring is all about expansion, moving upwards and outwards. We find ourselves more outgoing, more sociable and more motivated. We have survived the long, cold dreary months of winter and nurtured ourselves in preparation for new growth. Spring is the time to reap the benefits of our rejuvenation.

A guiding principal in Chinese Medicine is – that by living and harmonising yourself with the seasons, you are able to cultivate your health and prevent disease.

Spring is the season to attend to the Liver and Gall Bladder. During this time we tend to eat less and sometimes even fast to cleanse the body of the heavy foods and fats accumulated during winter.

Our eating plan should be the lightest of the year, containing foods that emphasise the ascending and expansive qualities of spring. Young plants, fresh greens, sprouts are encouraged during this time.

In Chinese Medicine, the Liver is responsible for the smooth flow of Qi (energy), Blood and emotions. Feelings of stress, frustration and anger constrict Liver energy and impact on its smooth functioning. People, who find it hard to relax, are uptight or quick tempered will often have a constricted or stagnated Liver Qi.

Regulating the Liver through acupuncture, herbal medicine, stretches and physical movement can help release Liver constriction and encourage its smooth flow.

Each organ in Chinese Medicine has an associated sense organ, for the Liver, this is the eyes. Red, itchy, dry sore eyes or blurry vision (Hayfever!!) can often be associated with a Liver imbalance.

Ways to release Liver constriction include:

• Acupuncture
• Chinese herbal medicine
• Stretches targeting the Liver meridian
• Yoga
• Qi Gong
• Physical movement
• Sweet and pungent foods
• Looking at trees (Liver belongs to the wood element)
• Emotional release such as crying or a big belly laugh.

Spring foods

Too many heavy foods clog the Liver. The expansive rising quality of sweet, pungent foods is recommended during Spring time.

For this effect one can use honey mint tea, basil, fennel, rosemary, dill, and bay leaf. Complex carbs such as grains, legumes and seeds have a primarily sweet flavour, which increases with sprouting.

Beets, carrots, starchy vegetables also provide a sweet refreshing flavour.

Regular acupuncture and Chinese Medicine treatments are a fantastic way to support and strengthen the body and especially the Liver during Spring time. At Angea we can guide you through lifestyle and dietary choices to best suit your body and your health.

So, what are you waiting for! Put a spring in your step and get your body ready for the change of season.