- The Liver, organ of the season
- Advice from traditional Chinese medicine
- Keeping your anger in check
- Acupuncture to drive out Wind
- A selection of plants for spring
- What does Chinese dietetics advise for a good spring?
According to the Chinese lunisolar calendar, spring began on 4 February with Li chun 立春, the first solar term. Li chun marks the beginning of spring and the resumption of work in the fields.
The first season of the year, spring brings mild, sunny days. It is associated with renewal and growth. In this season, we watch nature awaken: the first rays of sunshine make themselves felt, animals come out of hibernation and plants resume their activity.
On an energetic level, this event is full of meaning and, like every change of season, it completely unsettles our body. So we have much to gain by preparing for the arrival of this new season. Discover spring in Chinese medicine.
The Liver, organ of the season
In TCM, each season is linked to an organ. Spring is associated with the energy of the Liver, a Zang organ, which is paired with the gallbladder, a Fu organ.
The Liver is a system that plays several roles in Chinese medicine. Essential to the proper functioning of the body, it oversees the circulation of Qi and is responsible for the emotions. Naturally, it takes part in the digestive process and in the secretion and thinning of bile. The Liver also ensures the storage and regulation of Blood, and it governs the tendons.
Its condition can also show in the health of the nails or eyes. Red nails can be a sign of an excess of Liver Fire, and dry, sensitive eyes can point to an imbalance in Liver Yin. 1. So in spring, more than ever, it is vital to take care of your Liver.
Advice from traditional Chinese medicine
Keeping your anger in check
The great classics of TCM state that there is a relationship between the organs and the emotions. As the organ of the season, the Liver is linked to anger (Nu). In spring, anger shows itself as discontent, resentment, fury, frustration and irritation. If these emotions are repressed, they can seriously affect mental health. When they persist for too long, they affect the Liver and cause Qi to stagnate, to the point of causing troubles such as headaches, skin redness, eye irritation, a feeling of heat in the head, etc. 2
To live spring well and avoid harming your Liver, it is essential to learn to keep your anger in check and to process it properly when it arises. To do so, it is advisable to strengthen the energy of the Liver and soothe your Shen, by practising meditation or Qi Gong, for example.
Acupuncture to drive out Wind
Associated with the Liver, Wind is a pathogenic energy that is especially rife in spring. It enters through the skin and invades the muscles and meridians, causing stiffness, rigidity and muscle contractures. This pathogenic energy causes hyperactivity of Liver Qi. 3.
To drive out Wind, Chinese medicine advises turning to acupuncture. The basic principle of this treatment is that every imbalance or disorder comes from a blockage in the circulation of energy. The points generally stimulated to drive out Wind are:
- LI4 (He Gu), which releases the Exterior and drives out Wind-Cold. This point is also stimulated to relieve headaches accompanied by dizziness.
- ST8 (Tou Wei), which drives out Wind and soothes headaches. 4.
A selection of plants for spring
Moreover, as winter is the season of excess, spring invites us to detoxify the body in order to purify it of the toxicity built up during the cold seasons. A wide selection of medicinal plants is on offer for this:
- Qing zhuo tang - Detox Formula: made up of five plants, this formula eliminates impurities in depth and cleanses the internal systems to encourage the body's natural purification.
- Bi xie qu shi tang: this formula eliminates toxicity and drains excess water.
- Pu gong ying - Dandelion: a great favourite, this plant detoxifies the lungs and soothes sensitive airways. It supports the general purification of the body.
- Wu wei xiao du yin - Detoxifying Herbal Tea: it combats toxic Heat and purifies the body to put an end to sore throats and urinary troubles.
In addition, the change of season weakens the immune system. So it is important to strengthen your natural defences. Here is our selection for the season:
- Yu ping feng san: this traditional Chinese medicine formula strengthens the natural defences to help you get through the upheavals brought by the new season. It protects the body against external attacks and relieves allergic reactions.
- Xin yi hua - Magnolia Buds: much appreciated in TCM, Xin yi hua helps combat seasonal allergies, which are especially rife in spring, and supports respiratory comfort.
- Huang qi - Astragalus: the immunity plant par excellence, Huang qi stimulates the natural defences and restores tone to the body. It is also recommended for getting through the change of season well and for preventing its effects on health (fatigue, stress, sleep disorders, hair loss, low morale, etc.).
What does Chinese dietetics advise for a good spring?
Besides the plants suggested for getting through the season well, Chinese dietetics, a treatment branch of traditional Chinese medicine, recommends adapting what we eat to each season. In spring, it is advisable to support the rising movement of Yang Qi (the rise of Yang energy), which corresponds to the body's Yang functions (warming the body, circulating the blood, etc.), while making sure that this movement does not become excessive. It is also recommended to choose foods that encourage the circulation of Qi in the body and that protect the Spleen and the Stomach. 5
So favour foods with a neutral to warm nature at the start of spring, as they will support the rise of Yang. Once the warmth is more present, it will be best to choose a cool nature.
As for flavours, choose the sour flavour, which has an affinity with the Liver. Favour foods such as lemon and mandarin. The sweet flavour is also beneficial, as it prevents blockages of Liver Qi and helps strengthen the Spleen and the Stomach. Opt for foods such as aubergine and button mushrooms.
The most suitable cooking method in this season is stir-frying in oil. Crisp on the outside and almost raw on the inside, food cooked this way keeps its nutritional value.
Finally, spring brings together every shade of green, so it is no surprise that this is the colour in the spotlight during this season. Green foods are said to improve digestive function and stimulate blood circulation. So in this season, favour vegetables such as asparagus, lettuce, broccoli, etc.
The arrival of spring is a very joyful event in Asian cultures. All over the world, this new season brings a breath of fresh air and heralds the approach of fine weather. However, while dangers may seem less threatening in spring than they were in winter, that is not the case at all! To live this season well and avoid external attacks, pay particular attention to the health of your Liver, learn to manage your anger and adapt your diet.
The resolutions made at the start of January, in the depths of winter, were probably abandoned before they had even begun. Have you ever thought that it might not have been the best time to take on these challenges? Spring invites rebirth and new beginnings: make the most of this energy to change your daily life and take care of your health.
