Spring Forward with Traditional Chinese Medicine

Based on and intertwined with the cycles and process of nature, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views Springtime as a time of growth and rebirth, of coming back to life, of unfurling our latent energy that has been carefully stored and safeguarded through the long winter. These processes embody the nature of the Wood element in TCM thought. Like a seed planted in Autumn and overwintered with great care, our energies begin to stretch and grow and reach towards the waxing sunlight. This is an innately Yang process: movement, growth, energy, rebirth. “Yang is the energy, active and noisy, the vital force responsible for expanding.” “Yang is the sun and heaven. Yang enables growth; the warmth of the Spring gives rise to birth.” (Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine, Nei Jing Su Wen). 

There are several things we can do to align ourselves with the theme of the season and assist our stored, latent energy to surge forth healthily and wholly. Proper living with the seasons and their natural cycles is the basis of good health in TCM and many other traditional medicine system. The Wood element in TCM is associated with the Liver organ system, as well as the fresh green color of new spring growth. To harmonize the Liver and the Wood element, there are some easy diet, exercise, self-massage, and Qi Gong techniques that can be incorporated into our daily lives.

Diet:

Try to eat seasonal foods. Green leafy foods are good for the liver and are at their most nutritious in Spring. Aim for lighter green leaves such as spinach and chard. You can also increase pungent, sweet or bitter foods.

Fruit: apricots, figs, grapes, plums, cherries, dates, bananas

Vegetables: Carrots, cabbage, celery, mushrooms, sweet potato, Swiss chard, beets, cucumber. Also include fresh, pungent spring greens that would traditionally have been unavailable to us over the winter. Mustard greens of all kinds, arugula, and scallions are fantastic and seasonal this time of year.

Meat and Fish: If you eat meat or fish, then pork, duck, and oysters are good for nourishing and cooling the liver.

Nuts, seeds and beans: black sesame, sunflower, almonds, walnuts. Try to increase sprouted nuts and seeds, like lentils, garbanzos, alfalfa, broccoli, radish etc.

Herbs: Including pungent herbs like basil, fennel, caraway, or turmeric can help to move the Qi.  

Avoid or limit salty foods like miso or soy sauce, as well as heavy, greasy foods, as these restrain the Qi and “clog the Liver”.

Exercise:

Try to get outside and get moving daily. Qi Gong can also be practiced daily, and you can alternate among the forms listed below.

Movement is key! Moving the body helps to move the Qi. One of the best ways to nourish the liver and move qi is to get outside now that the weather is improving. Brisk walks in nature allow the green of new growth to soothe the liver, and a brisk pace keeps the qi circulating. You can also incorporate an ancient qi gong (Chinese yoga) technique into these walks to maximize their benefit.

Tree qi gong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=LaxAHE7El4Q

Spring qi Gong routine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzHkRHTUIcc

Another excellent springtime Taoist qi gong practice was taught to me by my teacher Master Liu He of the Ling Gui School. It is called Concentrating the Hun, which is the “spirit” of the Liver. I have included a link to the youtube video of this practice:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtXSnPZbV_M

Self Massage:

Place the heel of the right hand on the side of the body under the rib cage, and just above the hip bone. The fingers should point straight across the body. Pressing firmly, move the hand slowly across the body to the middle of the abdomen; you should end up with the hand over the navel. Repeat this action 10-15 times. This exercise massages the Liver and Gall Bladder, tonifying and cleansing these organs whilst aiding digestion and easing abdominal wind.

Following the guidelines above can put you in an excellent place physically, mentally, and emotionally, with the grace and flow needed to start the new year with gusto. Remember, these are all gentle guidelines. Excessive focus or rigidity is counterproductive, especially in Spring, as it goes against the flexible and spreading nature of the Wood element. Be kind to yourself, feel the aliveness and potential for healthy growth, and enjoy the world coming back to life after a long winter.