3 Keys To Enjoying A Spring With Energy

The liver is one of the most important detoxification organs in the human body. In both traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine it plays an extremely important role in maintaining health and vitality.

In the 5-element system of TCM, the liver is assigned to the spring season, so this has always been the right time to cleanse both the body and the mind.

1. The best allies to take care of the liver

Spring in TCM corresponds to the wood element, the acid flavor and the green color. Therefore, the most suitable foods are young and green leaves, sprouts, mung beans, soybeans, millet, lotus seeds, mushrooms, zucchini, turnip, celery, etc. Also green tea, lemon juice and fruits of the season.

The useful plants that favor the liver at this time are:

• Chamomile: softens the liver, restores stomach chi.
• Milk thistle: helps to restore liver function, but care must be taken in case of insufficiency and cold of the spleen and stomach.
• Mint: fresh, activates stomach chi.
• Fennel: activates stomach chi by heating.
• Anise: activates stomach chi and calms pain.
• Chai hu ( Bupleurum chinense ): unlocks the liver and raises the yang.
• Bai shao ( Chinese Peony ): nourishes the blood and controls the yin, softens the liver and is analgesic; it can regulate the rule and dissolve the masses.
• Dry tangerine skin : tones stomach chi and helps unblock accumulations.

2. Release pent-up emotions

Letting go of negative emotions helps channel liver chi. Anger is heightened when the liver becomes blocked. Expressing emotions is not frowned upon in many cultures; moreover, we are educated to transform its sincere expression into something socially accepted.

We channel anger as we can, in silence or crying; then sadness, grief and guilt invade us. How much energy waste! There are a number of exercises that can be helpful:

• Give yourself permission. It is recommended to perform this exercise in the open field. We are looking for a place where we feel comfortable and, once found, we put our attention and desire to ask permission from heaven, earth and all living beings to do the following work: allow us to remove anger, frustration, anger, grief and fear in the most direct way, without prejudice or taboos.
• Let go. In that space of liberation, we can be a boy or a girl and cry, scream or kick on the ground: cry because of the feelings muffled between teeth, shout what has not been verbalized by good manners and kick because of the anger embedded between muscles and tendons.
• Seek the calm of the tree. Once the exercise is finished, the breath is harmonized and we approach a tree to hug it and feel how it throbs in our chest until we have calmed down. Finally, we thank that tree.

3. Enhance vitality with physical exercise

It is very beneficial to work the extremities and contact with the ground.

• Mobilize the joints. The exercises that are recommended for the liver are stretching and movements to loosen the joints, walks in the open field, in the forest, at the seaside, practicing Tai Chi, yoga, chikung, swimming, Pilates, cycling, running … You can also do specific exercises to move the joints.
• Express yourself through dance. For dance lovers it is time to perform their favorite exercises, to let the body express itself at its own pace and at ease.
• Stretching It is important to stretch muscles and tendons to relax them: the trunk and upper extremities, the cervicals, the legs … There are many stretching exercises that can be performed on the floor or standing up. Each one must find the most suitable exercises for himself and practice them to suit him, but to enjoy their benefits they must be incorporated as a daily routine.