Utilizing Springtime with Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture
Since the 1500s, Western cultures have ingrained the idea of a systemic new beginning at the start of the Gregorian calendar on the first of January. This has been the most popular time in contemporary culture to have introspection into our lifestyles and goals. On the other hand, Eastern cultures that have been in practice for thousands of years before the 16th century tend to operate on their own timeline, following the Lunar calendar which changes based on nature’s rhythms, compared to the rigid Gregorian version. In line with the patterns and wisdom of nature, Chinese culture and medicine views new beginnings with the onset of Spring. As the Yang energy awakens and springs forward, it presents the perfect opportunity to jump into the new (Lunar) year with a more intentional mindset and lifestyle. So if you haven’t quite gotten all the new year's resolutions you had in mind for 2024 started, I invite you to embrace this energy and utilize the Spring season to spring into action by embracing the strong Yang Dragon energy, and not let this fruitful period be wasted.
One of the main foundations of Chinese medicine are the five elements - Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth. Each element corresponds to different seasons - Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer, and Late Summer (more on Late Summer later in the year), respectively. When all five elements are working together harmoniously within the body, that is how the greatest health can be achieved. The Classical texts that guide our medicine say that Winter’s Water should nourish Spring’s Wood energy, and Spring’s Wood should feed Summer’s Fire, and so on. You can picture the entire year divided by the Taiji (aka “Yin Yang symbol”), with the dark half representing the Yin energy (Fall and Winter), and the white half representing Yang energy (Spring and Summer). The “eyes” or dots in each of the halves represent a balancing of these energetics so that there is still Yin within Yang and Yang within Yin, which helps each half achieve harmony. So while we are coming out of the most Yin period of the year, there has still been a small amount of Yang that was within the abundant Yin that is now growing into the most Yang part of the year. We can visualize this with the rain and snow that has been abundant in Fall and Winter becoming transformed into vapor, which releases more Yang energy that helps propel the stillness of Yin into the action of Yang. All this to say that Spring is a very exciting time when new possibilities may present themselves and should be acted upon.
During this transition period between the seasons, it is still ideal to nourish Yin energy so that we are not prematurely depleting our Yang energy and have enough reserves that can be used and acted upon with later in the year. It may be tempting to break out the iced coffees and ice water, but save that for summer! Foods and beverages that are less taxing on our digestive system are still preferred at this time, so opt for light and gently warming foods that aren’t too draining or depleting. Proteins such as lamb and beef should be eaten in smaller quantities since they are extra warming, and instead incorporate more less warming options such as chicken, fish, and tofu instead. Green colored foods are also preferred, including sprouts like microgreens, bamboo, alfalfa, or asparagus, spinach, kale, or other kinds of leafy greens, especially when they are fresh and young. Herbaceous foods such as dill, fennel, and mint are also appropriate to use more of since they are stimulating and moving, perfect for jump starting the budding Yang energy of Spring. These eating habits help nourish and course physiological qi flow especially in the Liver and Gallbladder organ systems, which correspond with Springtime and are the most active during this period of the year.
As the utmost Yin time of the year starts to go back inward, and the Yang energy starts bubbling back out, now is the perfect time to start that new project you’ve been planning on, deep clean your physical and mental spaces, embrace a different hobby, and/or start getting your health back in order. Spring is the period of growth and renewal, and nothing says a clean slate like finally addressing those issues which may have gotten pushed to the wayside. Springtime is also the perfect time to start beefing up your immune system, especially for any ailments that tend to roar their heads in the opposite time of the year - Autumn. If you get sick every Fall like clockwork, the best time to start preparing your body would be the Spring! Come chat with us to see how Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture can naturally help bolster your constitution and prepare for whatever comes your way in the latter part of the year.
