Spring welcomes in traditional Chinese medicine.
It always feels like spring is a time for reset, renewal, and fresh starts. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is particularly significant, representing growth and transformation. As nature awakens around us, so do our bodies, which in TCM represent the gentle energy spring radiates into the environment. When we take TCM into consideration, adjusting our diets and routine activities in resonance with the season will ensure that we will maintain healthy living.
Relationship between the Wood Element and the Liver
According to TCM, every season is associated with one of the five elements, and spring connects with the wood. Wood means growth, pliability, and life force and controls the liver and gallbladder. The liver is responsible for the free flow of energy throughout the body, aiding in the process of detoxification as well. When the liver is well-balanced, we enjoy clearer states of mind, undergo proper digestion, and maintain positive outlooks on life. As the temperatures warm and days grow long, it is essential to aid the liver with food that enlivens and nourishes this vital organ.
What to Eat for Revitalisation?
Spring is about light and energising foods, easy to digest. The whole idea of a spring diet revolves around fresh greens, sprouts, and vegetables. Foods like spinach, kale, and bok choy not only supply essential vitamins and minerals but also incorporate spring colours of life and energy. Additionally, mint and parsley can aid digestion and help the liver naturally detoxify. Traditional Chinese Medicine stresses warm seasonal foods as being more suitable in gently stimulating and balancing the body's energy.
Now we are talking about whole grains such as barley and millet, which are exceptionally important during spring. They provide a gentle, sustained release of energy and do not burn heavily on the digesting system. Light proteins like fish and tofu are excellent because they nourish without weighing one down with fats. Consuming these foods in the most natural states allows for optimal nutrient absorption so that energy can flow freely through every cell in the body.
Colour and Food: A Match Made in Harmony
Colour is not just pleasing to the eyes; it works as a powerful agent in TCM. Green is the colour undoubtedly dominating spring, signifying health, growth, and rejuvenation. Eating predominantly green foods during this season can only help in maintaining that balance and vibrancy of life. The beautiful colours of these foods also add joy to the dining experience, making every meal a celebration of life and a step towards a healthier self.
A New Season Represents a New You
At Healing Touch, we hold the conviction that embracing the rhythms of nature leads to the best health. Spring affords a transition for you to start observing your diet as a season. Eat plenty of fresh, seasonal produce to allow the energy of the spring to flow through and rejuvenate your body and mind. Study the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine and find a new way of life.