How Chinese Medicine Can Influence Springtime
If you’ve been following along, you will have read a few weeks ago a post I wrote about how Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) influences the seasons. Even though we’re a few weeks out, the sun shining and the weather that is warming up has me inspired! Keep reading to learn about how the emotions and organs involved in the spring can influence the season of “anew” for you favorably!
The springtime is associated with the element of wood! Wood corresponds to the liver and the gallbladder while influencing the emotions of anger…
When we think of spring, we think of new beginnings and new life – many animals took to hibernation for the last few months and are about to emerge into the world. For some this means procreation and others, it means finding another location to spend the warmer months – especially if they have thick furry coats!
I may not have adequately explained in my previous post how the emotions and the functions of the corresponding organs are actually impacted by their choice season. While it may seem as though these feelings and functions are working at their peak, in fact just the opposite is true. It turns out that the emotions and functions of the respective organ in its associated season, are actually more negatively impacted – they actually have to work harder to produce their desirable results/functions while their emotions are more likely to shine through due to the inability to tether such strong feelings.
Although the spring is a time of life and newness, the emotion related to the corresponding organs of the liver and gallbladder is anger, surprisingly. This means that we might be more susceptible to experiencing this emotion because our associated organs are less tethered, making these emotions less controllable. A very common TCM diagnosis pertaining to the liver is liver qi stagnation. When we think of stagnation, we think of a lack of movement, almost a sensation of feeling “stuck,” when we feel stuck or as though maybe we’re not traveling the path we’re meant to, we might feel a sense of anger associated with this.
Rather than looking at this negatively, it just means we have to direct our focus going into the spring. Are we honoring our path in life? Are we traveling the path we are meant to? Am I surrounded by individuals who are helping to fulfill my role in life? If the answer to these questions is, “no” we need to reconsider what it is we’re doing. There is no need to get angry, just regroup and reposition ourselves in a way that aligns with our life’s purpose.
Coincidentally, the gallbladder is connoted as “the general” in TCM. Whenever we have patients come to us finding it difficult to make decisions, we often say that their gallbladders are impacted. Generals serve a leadership role directing many other people; if they are incapable of making decisions, this will greatly impact a larger population (as opposed to just the general him/herself). So you can see how greatly the spring affects us!
Once we can find a free flow of qi, our livers will no longer feel stagnant; the liver qi will move with ease facilitating the liver’s proper functions.
In Western medicine we know the primary function of the liver is that of detoxification. We see more and more women who suffer from menstrual irregularities, awful cramping, and others. We see more and more people in practice who suffer from something called “fatty liver.” Our livers are easily insulted, then paired during springtime, this can be an even bigger concern.
Every season is a time of transition, of different foods, different temperatures, weather, etc. Today, thanks to globalization, we can eat avocados all year round; but if you remember even 10-years-ago, you likely would have only found citrus in the grocery store during the winter months. My point in addressing this is that we used to be forced to eat in season; whenever our food changed meant a time to prime our digestive tract for such changes. Lo-and-behold, each season should usher in a period of cleansing or detoxification.
This is obviously very true of the springtime, too! Optimization of our livers as we approach spring might be the ticket you need to ensure an open heart, a clear mind, and a focused life path as we make this transition! It is no coincidence that the color of the liver and gallbladder is green and the foods that are most helpful in supporting the liver’s detoxification efforts are also green: cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts…
This group of foods are known as the brassica family and contain sulfurous compounds that help to aid in detoxification. I don’t suggest eating these foods raw, however, as they can be goitrogenic – which means they can contribute to a goiter given that they may block thyroid hormone conversion from the inactive to active forms. But don’t let that discourage you – lightly sautéing, steaming, or baking at lower temps ~200 ensure the nutrients are still retained while inhibiting the absorption of the other undesirable compounds!
Along with food selections changing with the seasons, we can consider scheduling an appointment with our acupuncturists seasonally, too; especially if you don’t find you need this type of care on the regular. Acupuncture during transitionary times can help support our bodies energetically to ensure they can withstand the impending weaknesses we may suffer as a result of these changes.
Not to fear! Support is always available in whatever capacity you need!
