Spring Healing Points

Your calendar might still say Winter, but according to the traditional Asian calendar, we are already at the beginning of Spring. And, in the deep wisdom of Asian Medicine, our habits should change with the changing of the season.

Energetically, spring is the time of the Wood element, which is represented by the entire plant kingdom, especially those herbs and vegetables that begin their growth cycle in spring. In traditional Asian medicine, the Wood element is associated with the paired organs of the liver and gall bladder, which can either be at their peak or at their most vulnerable during this season.

Spring is a time of lightening up. From the Spring Equinox to the Summer Solstice, each day has more minutes of light than darkness.  So, to remain in harmony with the season, we too need to “lighten up.”

The heavy warming foods of winter, for instance, should shift to the lighter foods of spring. Just look to nature for what we should be eating now. The color associated with spring is green, and the hills, meadows, and creek-sides are all showing the upward and outward movement of spring energies.  It's still a bit away in the colder climates, but in Southern California the miner’s lettuce, mustard, radish, dandelion, chickweed, curly dock, watercress, and others are at their best stage for salads.  If you don’t know how to forage, vegetables from the brassica family -- collard greens, kale, cauliflower, Brussels sprout, broccoli, and mustard greens -- are readily available in stores.  These foods are particularly beneficial at this time of the year -- although don’t skimp on them at other times, either!

Spring is also traditionally a time for deep cleaning, both of the home and the body.  It’s a time to let go of the old “stuff” that no longer serves.  So as the outer reflects the inner, and the inner reflects the outer, take some time to go through your closets, drawers, cabinets and storage areas to find those things that are simply taking up space.  On the inner level, this is a great time to begin a systemic detoxification program.

The Liver is the main detoxification organ in the body.  While it is always important to avoid alcohol, high fat, chemically-laden and processed food, it is particularly important in the spring. Avoid fried foods in particular. You might even benefit from going light on cheese, meats, and anything greasy. Eat less so that the detoxification burden on the liver will be less. And consider chamomile tea to help calm the liver and aid digestion.

Sour is an important taste for the Wood element. Have a glass or warm water with some lime or lemon juice first thing in the morning to help cool the Liver and Gall Bladder as they wake up from their winter hibernation.

Less sleep is needed in spring than in winter.  In winter, it is recommended to rise after the sun is up in the sky and to retire shortly after sunset.  In spring one should wake with or before the sunrise and can postpone nighttime sleep until later in the evening. 

Exercise is more important in the spring, and it is certainly easier to do than in the depths of winter!  Because the Wood element is associated with the tendons and ligaments in the body, aim your exercise at stretching out the effects of winter’s hibernation. Yoga and tai chi are particularly good, along with liberal amounts of trail hiking.

The Wood element is also associated with the eyes, so irritated or bloodshot eyes at this time of the year can reflect problems in the Wood element.

Lastly, Wood element is associated with anger and depression, so anger issues may be more “up for work” than at other times of the year. Anger may also come easier now.  If anger or depression are problems, it is a sign that your Wood element is out of balance, and that it's time for an acupuncture treatment!

May you find this beautiful season one of growth, harmony, joy and peace.