5 Elements of Chinese Medicine: Awakening in the Spring

Elements of Spring

Our next season in the 5 Element series is Spring, represented by the element of wood and commanded by the liver. In the TCM perspective, the season of spring has these elemental characteristics:

• Element of wood
• Liver
• Cleansing
• Clarity of vision/Goals
• Direction
• Purpose
• Harmony

Gentle Cleanse for Liver Support

After resting in winter, the energy of wood bursts forward to begin the 5 elements cycle again. It’s time to plant seeds for a future harvest, make new plans, set your direction and move forward. Use Acupuncture to move energy (Qi) of the liver, help unblock ‘stuck’ energy that arises from frustration of not being able to move forward as quickly as the spring energy dictates. It’s a good time of year to gently cleanse the liver to support the clear flow of its rising energy, clarity of vision and harmonious movement.

1. Choose fresh green foods (liver foods) such as sprouts, lemon, wheatgrass, alfalfa, apple cider vinegar, radishes, dandelion and tender young leafy greens.
2. Move your body with regular exercise, essential for spring Qi as it reaches up and outward like a tree strongly rooted and bamboo flexible to bend with the winds of growth.