Get Your Yang On! Start Getting Your Green On!

The energy of Spring begins February 5 according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). I know this is surprising to many since early February feels like the coldest time of Winter with little sign of Spring in the air yet.

The start of an energetic season means that a new and invisible energetic influence is at work and that in time its manifestations will become tangible. When Wood element energy comes into play, the manifestation of the Water/Winter energy is still being felt although the energy of Water is no longer at its peak. The start of the Wood element season does not mean that Spring is here. It merely means that a new influence is at work and will soon bring about a change. You can read more about the timing of the energetic seasons by reading our former blog post on the topic here.

Spring is the season of the liver and the gall bladder, two organs primarily responsible for detoxification in the body. According to TCM, the liver makes our chi flow smoothly throughout the body therefore we must ensure our chi isn’t blocked by toxic liver and gall bladder. Good chi flow creates health and vitality.

Acupuncture is one way to reduce tension and unblock toxic obstacles to good chi flow. Other methods include tai chi, yoga, basic exercise in fresh air, eating greens and sour foods, waking up early which gets the liver going, and consuming green cleansing teas. So are PHYTO 5 energy balancing treatments and home products.

Spring is the time of rising yang energy. Time for getting ourselves back into balance by detoxifying body and mind. The best time of the year for kidney cleanse. Inflammatory foods and inflammatory thoughts creative negative energy in the body and mind. Spring being a powerful time of rebuilding, we need to create a whole new space for wonderful nourishing life sustaining foods and thoughts that will carry us through to the end of the year.

However, Wood energy imbalance will prompt inflammatory thoughts and emotions – particularly anger – and that will have a toxic effect both physically and mentally. Staying healthy through the seasons means striving for balance, mentally, emotional and physically. Of course, we do feel, more or less depending on people, the effects of the energetic seasons. It must be understood that this is part of the yearly cycle and we should not be too hard on ourselves. Change what needs to be changed, yes, but don’t beat up on yourself.

In perfect keeping with Springtime, the color for the Wood element and energetic Spring according to TCM is green. It is the most appropriate time to consume leafy greens, fresh herbs, sprouts and micro greens which all very much support the liver. Our bodies will almost literally sing when we feed it the green of Springtime!

And just as we feed our bodies the purity of green fresh fruits and vegetables this Springtime, we can feed our minds the purity of uplifting thoughts, even if we choose only one new positive thought a day. But that will be of little help if you are not mindful of potentially negative emotions.

Spring is the time for cleansing and clarifying, for rebirth and growth. After a short Earth period, it followed Winter when we’ve tended and appropriately so, to hibernate, slow down, rest and go within. It was all a necessary precursor to Spring just as Spring is a precursor to Summer.

Harness now the energies of energetic Spring in your lifestyle choices. Now is the time of building energy and strength for a most dynamic Summer! Enjoy the cycle of the energetic seasons!

Staying healthy through the seasons means striving for balance, mentally, emotional and physically.

Spring Cleaning with Essential Oils

In the Chinese Five Element Theory, springtime is considered the best time to do a liver/gallbladder cleanse, as it is in the spring that the energies to the liver and gallbladder are highlighted. According to the Chinese, the liver is all about action, movement and goal orientation. It is in this season that one can take stock and make choices as to what appropriate actions are to be taken, sewing the seeds for the energies to come. The liver energy offers insight, vision and clarity. Indeed the Chinese say that the liver opens to the eyes, meaning that when you have a clear liver not only do you have foresight and intuitive vision, but also that you will see clearly on a physical level. When there is an imbalance in the liver, very often the eyesight suffers as well.

The liver is the largest digestive gland of the body and has many functions; it deals with metabolism, synthesis and storage of nutrients, detoxification, balance of hormonal levels, heat production and secretion of bile. Headaches, eye strain, muscle spasms, joint pain and menstrual problems can also be related to a liver issue since the liver governs these tissues so any toxicity in the liver can lead to problems in these areas. When imbalanced the liver can cause referred pain to the right shoulder, neck and scapula. Emotionally, there can be restlessness with liver dysfunction, an inability to get things done and general agitation. One may feel aimless, compulsive and may tend to complain a lot. Liver stagnation can lead to stagnation in ones life. The emotion most associated with the liver is anger.

There are many ways to cleanse the liver with herbs, fasting, massage, etc. Of course diet is essential for a healthy liver. A diet with restricted intake of sugar, fats, cholesterol and refined foods is important in sustaining vitality, as these foods tend to clog proper functioning of the liver and could possibly bring on chronic fatigue, apathy, lack of concentration, intestinal problems and a rise in blood pressure.

Essential oils are very helpful in supporting and cleansing the liver. Massaging the abdomen in a clockwise direction with essential oils in a carrier oil can encourage detoxification of the liver. A gentle rocking massage motion on the liver will help to mobilize and strengthen the organ. Salt baths with essential oils are another way of detoxing the body. Mixing oils in an alcohol rub is also an effective way of relieving the pain and discomfort from muscle spasms, which may be caused by a dysfunctional liver. And of course general massage to the whole body can stimulate the production of red blood cells, cleanse the acids from the tissues and balance the psyche of an irritated live condition.

Some oils that have been proven to be effect liver supports are:

Helichrysum – A wonderful oil for a tired and sluggish liver. It helps stimulate production and regeneration of new blood cells. It is also effective in detoxifying people from drugs and tobacco.

Lemon – Used as a great cleanser, both internally and out. The liver loves fresh lemon juice squeezed in water and consumed daily. Warm in the morning is what I prefer. This essential oil can be rubbed on externally and absorbed into the blood, which then rejuvenates and clears put stagnation in the liver. It promotes healthy blood cells and tissue growth.

Cypress – Besides being warming and uplifting, just what a fatigued liver needs!! It aids in relieving achy muscles, abdominal cramps and any menstrual challenges. It also helps sooth menopausal symptoms (remember one of the livers functions is to balance hormones).

Clary Sage – also helps with menopausal symptoms and can help ease nervousness and anxiety. Clary Sage has the ability to bring up anger to be released (remember the liver’s emotion is anger) so it is often used wisely and appropriately to vent emotion of anger.

Roman Chamomile, Lavender, and Rose are all essential oils to help calm down the liver’s anxiety and aggression. They all help relieve headaches, migraines, pains in the body and most liver complaints by soothing tensions and alleviating stress.

Rosemary – Enlivens the spirits and stimulates the mind and body. It is a liver and gallbladder stimulant and detoxifier.

Fennel (Sweet) – has been used in the treatment and rehabilitation of alcoholics as it counterbalances the alcohol poisoning by supporting and cleaning the liver.

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