A patient of mine told me that today she took pictures of crocuses blooming on her way to my office. Spring is the time when flowers bloom, leaves grow back, and birds return from the south. Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnosis and principles are based on observations of nature. Spring is a time of renewal for our bodies as much as it is a renewal for nature. What can you do to help in this revitalization?
According to TCM, the key organ of springtime is the liver, a major organ of detoxification. It filters our blood of toxins that are inhaled, ingested, and absorbed through the skin. Even if you are careful to eat healthy; avoid smoking, drinking, and drugs; and use natural bodycare products and household cleansers, in our modern world, the liver still has an enormous task! We still breathe polluted air and it is a daunting challenge to avoid all chemicals, so our livers could definitely use a healing hand.
Why Cleanse?
A stressed liver may result in headaches, allergies and sensitivities, tearing or inflammation of tendons, ligaments, and muscles, stiff neck and shoulders, anger, irritability, frustration, depression, high blood pressure, eye problems, fatigue, and skin problems, amongst other things.
Food Cures
It’s no coincidence that the colour related to the liver energy is the same colour that we tend to see more and more of during spring: green. While winter has us craving heavier, richer comfort foods, spring brings a time when we should lighten up. Choosing more leafy green veggies and sprouts fits with what foods become locally available. If you are veggie-challenged, consider adding a greens food supplement such as spirulina for its energizing, nutritious, and detoxifying properties.
Here are some other foods especially suited to boosting liver energy during springtime:
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Vegetables: onions, beets, cabbage, turnip root, daikon radish, radishes, kohlrabi, cauliflower, broccoli, brussel sprouts, romaine lettuce, asparagus, celery, lettuce, cucumber, watercress, parsley, swiss chard, artichoke, dandelion leaves
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Fruits: strawberries (choose organic), dark grapes (choose local or imported), blackberries, lemon, lime, grapefruit; small amounts of peaches (choose organic)
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Grains: brown rice, sweet rice, basmati rice, sprouted grains, whole grains, rye, quinoa, millet, oats, barley, amaranth, roasted buckwheat groats (kasha); naturally leavened, whole-grain sourdough rye bread okay
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Spices: turmeric, basil, basil leaf, cardamon, marjoram, cumin, dill, ginger, black pepper, rosemary, mint.
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Lots of room temperature water (optional to add squeezed fresh lemon) or green or herbal tea (e.g. mint, camomille); coffee substitute like chicory (tastes similar to coffee) or yerba mate tea (energizing effect)
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Beneficial fats: EFAplex oil (1 Tbsp per 50 lbs body weight daily; may have to work up to this if digestion is weak by starting with 1 tsp 2-3 times daily and gradually increasing)
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Sea veggies: hijiki, nori, kombu, etc.
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Legumes: aduki beans, mung beans (also detoxify the body), black beans, kidney beans
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Soy sources of protein, emphasize fermented soy products such as tempeh or miso
Herbs
There are many herbs known to help protect and renew liver cells. They are generally bitter herbs, including milk thistle, dandelion, and artichoke, and the Chinese herbs chai hu and long dan cao. However, TCM is always about balance and about choosing what is right for you. When you are cleansing the liver, you need to make sure that you are properly eliminating the toxins and addressing other strengths and weaknesses that are personal to you.
Exercise
Stretch, stretch, and stretch. And as it warms up, get outside and move and find a beautiful place to breathe in fresh air.
Copyright 2007 Dr. Melissa Carr, B.Sc., Dr.TCM, Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Active TCM -- Helping You Help Yourself.
