All seasons are associated with an element and body part in Traditional Chinese Medicine. As the seasons change so must our focus, activities, diet and mindset. Spring’s associated element is wood – fresh energy, new growth, upward growth. Makes sense, right? As for the body part, spring is connected to the liver.
Lifestyle
A large focus in a lot of our lives as spring approaches is fresh beginnings: spring cleaning, losing weight, increasing social lives… This is no different from the TCM perspective. Our Qi, energy, becomes stagnant in the winter for many reasons, and must be cleared out for us to take advantage of spring’s new energy and new growth. As the weather gets nicer, get outside and try new activities, increase your movement, and take in the sights and smells of spring. Start slow and have fun!
Diet
Food can make all the difference when it comes to feeling our best, and we should be eating to with the seasons to feel even better. As mentioned earlier, spring is associated with the liver. The liver supports detoxification, circulation, and metabolism, all perfect for fresh beginnings and new energy.
Chinese Medicine tells us that we should fill our plates with chlorophyll-rich foods and sprouts as we enter and continue into spring. Chlorophyll is believed to cleanse and rejuvenate the liver. These foods include light leafy greens such as spinach, parsley, collard greens, broccoli, asparagus, and sprouts! Sprouts are so important because they are seen as “active energy” and are the literal definition of new growth. Something to remember while preparing these veggies (specifically the more cruciferous veg) is to slightly cook them in a gentle way. Consuming cooked veg is easier on the digestive system while still maintaining the food’s nutritional value. Consider steaming or baking rather than frying!
Another way TCM teaches us to support our liver is with sour and bitter tasting foods such as lemon, ginger, vinegar, and kimchi. These types of food are known to “kick-start” your digestive system and help your liver move out old, stagnant Qi from winter to allow for active energy.
Recipes to try!
Sauteed Asparagus – Georgia Goode
Easy Sautéed Asparagus Recipe – How to Sauté Asparagus
Green Smoothie – Lindsay Maitland Hunt
Best Green Smoothie Recipe – How to Make A Green Smoothie
Kimchi Tofu Summer Rolls – Emily Han
Recipe: Kimchi Tofu Summer Rolls | The Kitchn
Asparagus Shrimp Stir-Fry – Ree Drummond
The Pioneer Woman Shrimp Stir-Fry with Asparagus Recipe
