Spring is all about the Liver.
Our Liver is like the General; the strategist and visionary of your life.
Without fail at this time of year I begin to need to declutter and tidy my home. It is a strangely powerful instinct, and one that is completely in keeping with the seasons. It is time to get your house in order – and by that I mean your inner and outer house.
In terms of the Chinese medicine cycle of energy throughout the year, Spring is governed by Wood energy. The Liver and Gallbladder are the organs of the Wood element; they are responsible for the free flow of energy (qi) around the body. Qi circulates in our channels or meridians; when it flows well in the Liver and Gallbladder channel, we are energetic, have a strong vision of our life, we are able to make plans and carry them out well; we are in the flow!
But when the Liver and Gallbladder qi becomes disturbed or out of balance our energy can be unpredictable. Like the wind symptoms can flare up in an outburst of anger, frustration, irritability and there can be physical symptoms such as digestive disturbance, bloating, pain and irregularities in the menstrual cycles.
To help with the transition into Spring and allow Wood to flow more freely we can start eating lighter means, increasing green vegetables and shoots, and cutting down on alcohol, coffee and heavy fatty foods that are harder to digest. Adding small amounts of naturally sour food such as sauerkraut and lemons to your diet is also helpful.