Springtime For the Body
Nature: Yang
Organ: Liver Gallbladder
Element: Wood
Emotion: Anger
Springtime is the time when the body comes out of the dormant yin stage of winter. It goes into the yang stage of new beginnings, represented by sprouting, growing, and movement. It is the time between winter and summer, when seeds sprout, flowers bloom, and the dry hills turn green again.
Spring is the best time of year to cleanse the body of toxins, as well as old, stored emotions of frustration and anger.
In our hectic lives, the liver and body become overloaded. From the poor food we eat, an unhealthy lifestyle we might lead, and the environmental toxins we come into contact with, we can feel tired, sluggish, and out of sorts.
By cleansing the liver, we rejuvenate our body and mind, and slow down the aging process.
From a Chinese medicine perspective, the free flow of liver and gallbladder energy is the number one disease preventative. It is best way to guarantee health and harmony. Take advantage of spring’s manifestation in your body. For your liver, decide to do some emotional spring cleaning.
Spring activities include:
*Lightening up your diet. Eating smaller portions greatly reduces the stress put on the liver.
*Diet-Incorporating foods that cool & cleanse the liver such as organic fresh greens, apple, cherry, grapefruit, lemon, sprouts, wheat, and barley grasses, beets and their greens, kale, parsley, onions, turmeric, mint, apple cider vinegar, quinoa, oats, sunflower seeds, green tea, seaweed, dandelion root, chamomile flowers, asparagus, and all green vegetable, as green is the color of the liver and of springtime.
Juicing all green vegetables is highly recommended.
Urban Remedy Deep Cleaning and Glow juice, and all our greens juices, Matcha Mint Tea Latte, and our seasonal salads, are all excellent choices.
Eliminate
Food and drinks that stress the liver should be eliminated or greatly reduced. These include caffeine, sugar, chemical additives, unhealthy fats (seed and vegetable oils, cream, cheese, shortening), fried foods, overly spicy foods, alcohol, peanuts, and all highly processed foods. Limiting intake of over-the-counter drugs.
* Start a regular exercise program. The liver thrives on exercise as it moves the energy around the body. A daily walk is ideal to keep the energy and lymphatic system flowing, and in balance with our other organs. Exercise is especially relevant regarding our modern sedentary lifestyle. So get up from that chair, turn off the computer and move your Liver energy.
*Get Acupuncture treatments – Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can help improve the overall health of your liver as well as treat stress, anger, and frustration, which are often associated with liver disharmony.
*Do a spring cleaning of your house, body, and mind. Get rid of the old to make space for new things you want in your life. Clean out your closets and cupboards.
*Start a liver/body cleanse. I recommend the Urban Remedy Supergreen Cleanse as a perfect supplemental tool for this process.
*Express your emotions.
