Everyone knows that spring is a time for renewal and rebirth. The evidence is all around us. Spring has a special effect on all of us. Let us take a look at spring from the viewpoint of the five element traditional Chinese medicine standpoint.
Elements
Spring is the time of year that is associated with wind and the wood element. The wood element is very closely connected to the liver and gall bladder. The liver is very sensitive to wind. Thus, during spring the liver is at its most sensitive and volatile.
Wind can occur both inside and outside the body. Internal wind would manifest in dizziness, cramps, tinnitus, tremors, intermittent pain, migraines, manic depression and nervousness.
You can limit the effects of the wind by changing your diet appropriately. You will need to find out if you are more yin or yang though as this has an effect on what will help you most. You should definitely avoid crab, eggs and buckwheat though.
Organs
Since spring is associated with the wood element the organs of spring are the liver and gall bladder. The liver is the organ that promotes the flow of Qi or energy throughout the body. If the liver has been compromised as a result of too much wind, either internally or externally, you may feel irritable and restless. You will have trouble expressing your anger and be generally edgy.
If you do not undergo some balancing you may find that this unbalance of your liver will lead to depression. If the yin facet of the liver is too weak you will have problems with dizziness, dry and brittle nails, dry eyes and tinnitus. If this is the case then you need to add some soybean and liver to your diet. The more common situation is that the yang facet of the liver is too active in spring. Although the yang facet is good in that it provides energy to accomplish tasks too much leads to excess anger. You can calm your liver by eating sweet foods.
Taste
The taste for spring is sour. The sour taste, such as the taste of lemon and vinegar, strengthens the liver and helps it to overcome the effects of wind. It is important not to take in too many sour items in your diet as this can make your liver too strong and have a negative effect on the other organs in the body. If your liver is too string then you need to partake of pungent foods to clear the wind and lower the strength of the liver.
Colour
The colour of spring is green. This means that it is important to make sure that you add a range of green leafy vegetables to your diet. Adding things like celery, kelp and spring onions will calm your liver and are good for you.
The five elements view of spring is quite an intricate relationship between all the aspects of spring. You cannot treat just one, you have to take care of them all to avoid an imbalance. If you are struggling to correct an imbalance then you should consider some acupuncture treatments to release your internal and external dragons and to promote the flow of the correct spirit points.
Give me a call to book your spring acupuncture treatment.
Wendy
604-839-9789
Sunbathing: Get 30 minutes of sun a day. Your skin needs to be exposed to direct sunlight (no windows in between). Walk, run, sit on a picnic bench in your shorts and sleeveless T-shirt. During the summer months this will give you all the Vitamin D you need. During the winter you will want to take Vitamin D supplements.
