Spring Detox

3/21/2021

As we all can detect through our senses, spring is around the corner. Day light is growing longer, the birds are chirping more, new growth is sprouting on the trees, the weather is slowly getting warmer and there is an increased urge to refresh our spaces and get outdoors. In Chinese medicine, spring is the time to let go of the old and welcome the new. Therefore, spring is a good time to release held emotions, cleanse the body and plan for the new year. Here is an article I found to help us all gain a healthier understanding about our internal organs, Wuxing (五形) “the five elements”, emotions and lifestyle during spring from the perspective of Chinese medicine.

https://thriveglobal.com/stories/spring-and-chinese-medicine-wisdom-for-cleansing-renewal-and-peace-of-mind/

The Wuxing associated with the spring season is wood. Wood represents growth, flexibility and renewal. As we move into spring, the liver and gallbladder are unique organs that can help our body to cleanse and detoxify and it’s important that we do our best to provide support to these vital organs. When they are healthy in the spring, our bodies will also be healthier for the rest of the year. There are few ways to achieve and maximum the state of wellbeing of these vital organs through gentle detoxing, examples are:

· Supporting the body through a nourishing and balanced diet that incorporates more green veggies in spring,

· Incorporating herbal supplements to help nourish and rejuvenate our internal organs,

· Acupuncture to assist in alleviate stagnation and promote circulation, and

· Integrating gentle active movement i.e., leisurely walks and meditation to increase our oxygen intake.

In addition, below is a brief introduction to a few self-care activities for spring we can incorporate into our daily routines and some additional notes about spring.

Spring Self-Care Activities

Dietary Suggestions

Eat pungent/aromatic and mild sweet food to disperse heaviness of winder

Activities

Be leisurely in activities spending time outdoors

Suggested Foods

Spices/herbs, young beet, turnips and carrots, more green leaves, spinach, mustard green, sprouted foods, chicken, liver, pork, mutton

What to avoid

Eating heavy, long cooked, greasy food and eating late at night; minimize alcohol consumption if possible

§ The liver becomes active; in its function of dispelling and dispersing. Our diets should nourish the liver and reinforce its dispelling function. Using pungent and sweet foods help disperse the heaviness of winter, move the liver qi and soften the liver.

§ Diet should be the lightest of the year; foods which emphasize the yang, ascending, and expansive qualities of spring are suggested. Food high in sodium (salt) descends and heavy food can clog the liver and result in spring fevers.

§ Cooking with pungent herb; herbs and spices such as mint, basil, fennel, marjoram, rosemary, caraway, and bay leaf are useful to incorporate into our spring diet.

§ Take more natural sweet food; and less sour food in order to strengthen the spleen and stomach qi, which are the source of generating qi and blood. Young vegetables are sweet and refreshing in flavor such as young beets, turnips and carrots. Increase green leafy vegetable intake, and sprouted foods.

§ Herbs which invigorate the qi, nourishes the yin and soothes the flow of liver qi; herbs such as Huang QI, Ren Shen, He Shou Wu, Gou Qi Zi, Bai Shao, Da Zao, Shan Yao, Shui Fe Ji (milk thistle)

§ Chinese Yam and Chinese Date; benefits the spleen and stomach qi, strengthens and nourishes the qi of the human body.

§ Dandelion tea or chrysanthemum tea with goji berry; are also great choices during the spring. Natural raw unprocessed honey tastes great and is a good way to add a little bit of sweetens to these teas.

§ Activities; leisurely outdoor activities are recommended to increase fresh air intake and get the body moving after a long winter indoors.

Personally, as I prepare to welcome spring, I enjoy short leisure walks around my neighborhood and in the evenings a gentle formulated spring detox herbal tea that focuses on promoting the healthy function of detoxification and nourishing the function of my liver and gallbladder. Please feel free to inquire about the tea. There will be 15% off for order the tea during the spring time between March 21st - June 20th.