Springtime Is A Great Time To Support Your Liver!
Find yourself suffering with any of these symptoms?
headaches
neck/shoulder pain or tightness
tight muscles or achy joints
Feeling stuck
Becoming too rigid in your plans
Having a hard time making decisions
Low motivation or follow through
Feeling more irritated or angry
More PMS
These all point to a liver imbalance. In TCM, Spring is governed by the wood element which is the Liver (LV) and Gallbladder (GB).
LV /GB govern the tendons, ligaments and facia in the body along with anything that turns or pivots in the body. They also are in charge of ensuring the smooth flow of Qi which can lead to irritation, pain and anger when stuck. So, it can be very common to see issues in these areas in the spring.
People with a Healthy Wood (LV / GB) Element
Ok with obstacles that are thrown at them
Creative with problems and break things down to action points
Decisive and Flexible
People with an Unbalanced Wood (LV / GB) Element
Hits an obstacle and flat out cant deal with it.
Prone to hot headed reactions and aggression
Indecisive and Rigid
High Stress reactions
During the Spring season of the Wood element, think about how plants grow and move. A healthy plant or tree will have branches that are very flexible and able to bend with the wind. When that same plant is dried out, the branches can snap in the wind.
This is similar to what happens to our connective tissues (tendons, ligaments and facia) when not properly nourished. The tissues can become less flexible, stuck and painful. These tissues have less blood supply than our muscles, so they are more susceptible to malnourishment and dehydration. So FEED YOUR LIVER THIS SPRING and support your body!!
The Liver is also in charge of detoxing our bodies so try and reduce your exposure to toxins in your foods, your environment, and your personal care products. If you have been thinking about doing a liver cleanse, it is the perfect time of year to do so.
Some tips for supporting your Liver/Gallbladder in the Spring
1.
Continue to keep the the raw foods, salads and smoothies to a minimum for a little longer, but you have more leeway now, so can begin to slowly introduce them again as we move through the spring months. Keep warm inside and out to stay balanced.
2.
Feed your Liver. it LOVES greens and sour foods.
Other foods that support the Liver / Gallbladder in TCM. Enjoy them all!
You can NEVER have too many fruits and veggies in your diet so eat up!
alfalfa
algae
asparagus
basil
broccoli
celery
citrus (lemons, limes, oranges, etc)
cucumber
fennel
fermented foods (sauerkraut, pickles, kimchi, etc)
ginger
greens (collards greens, bok choy, dandelion greens, kale, mustard greens, etc)
lettuce (butter, romaine, arugula, etc)
radish
seaweed
spirulina
sprouts (broccoli, alfalfa, sunflower, etc)
vinegar
watercress
wheatgrass
3.
Acupressure Point for Supporting the Liver
Liver 3 is a fabulous point for supporting the liver and moving stagnant Qi in the body.
It's located on top of your foot between where the big toe bone meets the second toe bone., right in the area where the bones connect. Using your thumb, press and massage this spot on both feet. You can also move your thumb forward along the inside of the big toe bone towards your toe.
Apply pressure to this point every day for about 30 seconds at a time.
It may be tender, and that is ok. Keep working massaging it and it will get better along with your Liver Qi.
4.
Stretch those sinews!
Stretches are one of the best things to do for your body in the spring. Since the LV /GB govern the sinews, stretch them out and keep them flexible. There are a ton of different stretches you can do, just pick some everyday. Nothing beats a good stretch.
Here are some sites to help get you started with some stretching options:
21 Stretches to Try
6 Stretches to Try
5.
Stay Hydrated! Keep your connective tissues hydrated so they stay flexible and strong. Water is fantastic and essential for a healthy body, so make sure you drink plenty of clean, filtered water everyday. Try putting a pinch of sea salt in for some extra electrolytes. A good rule of thumb is to take your body weight and divide it in half. Whatever that number is, that is how many ounces of water you should try and drink every day.
6.
Get outside, get some sun, move your body and relax.
Enjoy all that Spring has to offer, it is beautiful!
7.
Embrace Acupuncture and Herbs, they are truly amazing for supporting your Liver, your Liver Qi and moving Liver Qi Stagnation … they will help you to feel your best in your body and in your mind. If you are needing an acupuncturist in Northern Virginia, come see us and if not, please find an acupuncturist in your area to help you.
I hope these tips help!
Have a great spring!
DeBritt