Spring Means It’s Time To Love Your Liver!
Traditional Chinese medicine is based on five elements. Each element corresponds with certain seasons, environments, tastes, tissues, and organs.
In Chinese medicine, Spring is associated with the wood element and the liver. .
When we say the “liver” we don’t just mean the actual liver organ, we also mean all of the elements associated with the liver such as the gallbladder, eyes, tendons, and emotions of irritability, depression and anger.
The liver stores our blood and moves our qi. This is crucial for our overall health. Now is the time to start focusing on our liver as it is easy for our qi to get “stuck” in this time.
Many of us are due for some spring cleaning of our home and diet to ease transition to Spring and to gently nourish to prevent illness.
Some common toxins found in your home that you may not realize are harming you are:
- Dryer sheets
- Pesticides
- Heavy metals
- Plastic wrap
- Room deodorizers (spray air fresheners, plug in air fresheners, etc…)
- Paint products
- Household cleaners
- Microwaving plastic containers
Try avoiding these as much as possible and finding safer alternatives (eg. bees wax wrap, wool dryer balls, vinegar and water for household cleaner). Even though we are not directly consuming these products, we are still absorbing them into our skin and this can cause illness.
Spring is a rebirth, so it’s a great time to improve diet and gently nourish your body and liver. Here are some great food suggestions:
- Leafy greens such as spinach, kale, arugula
- 1/2 lemon squeezed into a cup of hot water daily
- Fresh herbs such as parsley, cilantro, mint, dill, nettles
- Broccoli and other calciferous vegetables such as cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, cabbage
In TCM it’s just as important to know which foods to avoid.
While you’re nourishing the liver it’s crucial to stay away from:
- Sugars
- Dairy
- Fats, even good fats!
Cleaning up your home and diet this spring will be sure to make an impact at moving your qi and improving your overall health.
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