spring

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energy of the season
Nature explodes with the coming of spring. Winter’s yin energy begins to transform, and with the Spring we become more yang in
nature. Yang energy is warmer, brighter and more exterior. Dormant bulbs once buried under inches of snow erupt and push up
towards the nurturing source of the sun. Tree sap, long stored in the roots, reverses its flow and begins running up to ignite the growth
cycle once again. In this season, the movement is upward and outward, just like the new, vital growth.
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organs : Liver & Gallbladder
5 elements : wood element
Taste: Sour
Color: Green
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When our wood element is healthy: We have clarity of mind and a
Emotion: Anger high power of focus. We have increased ability to achieve our goals.
Tissues: Tendons, Nails
Sense Organ: Eye
Season: Spring When our wood element is weak: We lose perspective and become
confused. We often become victim of delusion with mental focus
Environment: Wind turning into obsession. This can lead to impulsiveness,
Stage: Birth
Direction: East
Personality: Leader, Hard Worker, Loves a Challenge
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aggressiveness and fits of anger.

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foods
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Green Foods
Eating green foods will help decongest your liver, promote Qi movement upwards and outward, and bring your body into harmony
with the season. Like the green shoots and buds of the plants and trees, spring is associated with the color green.
! Green Foods
Consume foods that are rich in chlorophyll (including cereal grasses like wheat or barley grass juice, micro algae like
spirulina, blue-green, and chlorella, parsley, kale, swiss chard, and collard greens) in order to accelerate liver rejuvenation.
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Sweet, Sour, and Pungent Foods
The emotion of the spring and liver is anger. Sweet foods have calming and cooling properties and can soothe emotions, and they also
help to dispel extra accumulated heat from the winter. Sour foods stimulate the tissues to contract and release toxins. Its astringent
effect dries and firms. A small amount of the sour flavor is essential for a balanced liver, but be careful not to consume too much or it
may cause dryness. Pungent foods help to ease the transition into spring when erratic changes in weather make us susceptible to colds,
flus, allergies and acute illness. These foods also have a powerful immune boosting qualities.
! Sweet Foods
Apple, Apricot, Banana, Bee Pollen, Beetroot, Bell Pepper (Orange, Red), Blackberry, Blueberry, Broccoli, Carrot, Cashew,
Cauliflower, Coconut, Grape, Grapefruit, Honey (Raw), Millet, Mushroom, Onion, Orange, Peanut, Potato, Pumpkin,
Raspberry, Rice, Spinach, Sweet Potato, Tomato, Tuna, Turkey
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Sour Foods
Blackberry, Blueberry, Cranberry, Grape, Grape Fruit, Kiwi, Lemon, Mango, Orange, Pear, Pineapple, Plum, Raspberry,
Rhubarb, Tangerine, Tomato, Yogurt
! Pungent foods
Mint, spring onions, ginger, horseradish, chamomile and black pepper.
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Cook vegetables for a shorter time but at a higher temperature. This way, the food (especially the interior) is cooked slightly
‘al dente’. Think lightly steaming or minimal simmering. A quick, high-temp saute method is also recommended.
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seasonal imbalances
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Qi Stagnation: Pain, Emotional Imbalances, Feeling of Distention in Abdomen, Depression, Frequent Sighing.
Liver congestion occurs when heat, wind, and stagnation persist. Foods that supplement the blood and clear heat and
stagnation are helpful to dispel internal heat and soothe nervous irritability
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Almond, Basil, Beetroot, Black Pepper, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Cayenne, Celery, Cinnamon, Dandelion Root, Garlic,
Ginger, Honey (Raw), Lemon, Mint, Onion, Orange, Oregano, Plum, Pumpkin, Radish, Tea (Black, Green), Vinegar
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Wind: As it rustles the leaves of the trees in nature, wind can also stir things about inside the body. Internally, wind will
move things around giving rise to headaches, wandering pain, migrating (arthritic) joint pain, swelling, spasms, skin
rashes, numbness and cramping. On an emotional level, it can cause manic depression, nervousness, and emotional
turmoil. Wind is both destabilizing and unpredictable, it can strike quickly and cause superficial symptoms like watery eyes,
runny nose or upper body aches.
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The nape of the neck and the upper-back is an area referred to as the “Wind Gate”, and is the place where all
of the Yang channels of the acupuncture meridians intersect. Be sure to protect this area with a scarf or coat, it will
help to protect you from both the wind and the cold.
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supplements
Allerplex
Supports the body's ability to handle seasonal, environmental, and dietary challenges, manage mucus movement, maintain healthy
liver, lung, and respiratory function, and was developed to assist the body in naturally defending itself against seasonal challenges.
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Livaplex
Foundational support for the liver. Supports healthy liver and gallbladder function and the body's normal toxin-elimination function.
Encourages healthy digestion of fats, bowel function and healthy bile production
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Cruciferous Complete or SP Green Food
Promotes healthy liver function, provides antioxidant activity and supports overall cellular health
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essential oils
8 Branches Wood essential oil blend is designed for spring. Chinese Medicine functions: Tonifies the Qi, promotes
energy and vitality, and strengthens the Shen(spirit) Indications: Qi deficiency with some Qi stagnation, with fatigue, low
stamina, poor mental focus, discouragement, apathy, listlessness, shallow breathing.
Rosemary: yang tonic, move qi and blood, provides clear thought
Geranium: cooling, moist, clears heat & free course QI, reduces irritability and frustration
Sweet Basil: warm, tonify yang, lift spirit, uplift
Grapefruit(pink and red): cooling, cleansing, decongesting.
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acupressure
Conception Vessel 17: Regulates Qi, Unbinds and Opens the Chest

Liver 3: Spreads Liver Qi, Extinguishes Wind, Promotes Circulation

Auricular (Allergy Points): Alleviate Symptoms Associated with Allergies; Runny/Stuffy Nose,
Coughing, Sneezing, and Shortness of Breath
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self care
Wake Up and Stretch
Rising earlier and beginning a healthy morning routine of walking or stretching will help alert your brain that it’s time to wake up. As
you set your internal clock to the sun, you will be better able to use your energy during the day and rest more soundly at night. TCM
says liver stores blood during periods of rest and then releases it to the tendons in times of activity, maintaining tendon health and
flexibility. Try a gentle routine of yoga or tai chi moves.
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Get Outside and Move
The liver is easy to stagnate in the spring. Fresh air, and outdoor
activities of all kinds can keep liver Qi flowing. Especially if
you have been feeling irritable, find tranquility in nature by
taking a hike or walking through a park to smooth out that liver
Qi and move stagnation. Spring is the season of activity – break
out, loosen up, and move after the restful time of winter. Walk
around the block and observe what’s popping up in the
flowerbeds. Listen to the sounds of spring as birds busily fly
overhead foraging for nest material. Remember you are a part of
nature and spring is the time to be out to celebrate the new life
around you.
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Breathe Easy and Stay Allergy Free
Some of our favorite take home habits include cleansing of the
sinuses with a neti pot, breathwork, and consuming raw, local
honey.
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Rest Your Digestion
Relieve your liver by consuming less, especially highly
processed foods and alcohol, while you increase your intake of
lightly steamed vegetables and whole grains. A good way to
cleanse and prepare for renewal is by reducing consumption.
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Plant Some Seeds
Activities for grounding and nurturing like planting in the spring
can have a soothing effect on the mind and help anchor any
rising Liver energy.
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Protect Your Wind Gate
Wear a scarf when you go outside to protect your neck and
upper back. Wind can cause symptoms like watery eyes, runny
nose or upper body aches, manic depression, nervousness, and
emotional turmoil, headaches, wandering pain, swelling,
spasms, skin rashes, numbness and cramping.
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recipes
Honey and Lemon Tonic: a liver tonic to encourage detoxification.
Combine *1Tbls of honey + *1/2 fresh-squeezed lemon in a cup of warm water and drink first thing upon waking. This practice will
promote better digestion, reduce congestion and has been used for centuries to aid in weight loss and cleansing routines. Apple Cider
Vinegar may be used in place of lemon.
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Pan Crisped Greens with Eggs and Sweet Potato Directions:
*1 tablespoon organic, extra virgin coconut oil (or olive oil) 1. Heat oil in a cast-iron skillet. When the pan is very hot, add
the greens. Cook for several minutes, stirring sporadically,
*2 handfuls of chopped organic greens (dandelion greens, kale) allowing them to crisp in the hot pan.
*2 eggs, preferably organic and free range 2. Break the eggs into the pan over the greens and turn the heat
*1 small or 1/2 large organic sweet potato, baked or steamed to very low. Cover the pan and allow the eggs to cook for 3-5
and then sliced and drizzled with a little coconut oil, if desired minutes, until done to your liking.
*coarse sea salt and freshly ground black pepper- to taste *any 3. Using a large spatula, transfer the greens with the cooked
other seasonings you like ex. a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for eggs on top to your plate. Season to taste with salt, pepper, etc.,
the greens, hot sauce, etc- optional and serve with sliced sweet potato.