Spring is a happy time. Bunnies hop about. Flowers emerge in long forgotten corners of your garden. The birds return and sing so loudly they wake you in the morning. This is not a time to be angry. But according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, being angry is exactly what you can expect if you don’t balance your wood element. In TCM, spring is represented by the element wood. Wood represents birth and newness, the time for fresh ideas and new starts.
Unsurprisingly, its color is green like the fresh growth of spring. Wood governs your spine, joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons. A wood imbalance can lead to spinal problems, poor flexibility or arthritis. Wood also governs your eyes. But most important for your mood, wood governs your liver. Your liver is responsible for the smooth flow of Qi (energy) and smooth flowing Qi means health and vitality. The emotion associated with your liver is anger. If your liver is imbalanced your Qi will be disrupted and you’ll be angry. Healthy (and happy) spring acupuncture practices mean balancing your wood element and caring for your liver.
Healthy Spring Acupuncture Practices
Try these spring acupuncture recommendations, to keep your wood balanced and your liver healthy.
• Eat light. Overeating taxes your liver.
• Eat greens. Spouts, wheatgrass, spinach, kale and dandelions are particularly good foods in the spring.
• Eat sour? Sour is the flavor associated with spring, however sour flavors are only recommended for certain constitutions.
• Season your food. Pungent spices like basil, fennel, marjoram, rosemary, caraway, dill and bay leaf are excellent for spring cooking—and they taste good.
- Get plenty of rest and drink water.
By keeping your wood balanced you’re your liver healthy you will be happy. You’ll feel vital, flexible and clear. If you have questions about healthy spring acupuncture practices feel free to call me for recommendations.