Spring is not just a time to clean and refresh your home, but also a great opportunity to rejuvenate and cleanse your body. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), spring is associated with the Wood element, which refers to growth and nourishment in the human body. Spring represents a new beginning and a time to refresh the mind and body.
TCM values the liver as one of the most important organs in the body. The main job of the liver is to spread and regulate QI (energy flow) throughout the rest of the body. This is why the liver is one of the organs emphasized for spring. The liver absorbs everything our body takes in and ingests, being the holder and detoxifier of blood that is circulated throughout the body.
Symptoms of an imbalance in the liver can include anger, depression, irritability, nausea, stiff muscles and bruising. Acupuncture and TCM can aid to restore the liver and body back into balance.
Spring is the perfect time to bring more self-awareness to your body and the toxins that are ingested on a daily basis. Paying closer attention to your diet and getting rid of processed foods and chemicals can help to detox your liver and diminish acute problems that may have formed.
Dietary suggestions for spring include eliminating alcohol, saturated fats, coffee, and chemical additives. On the other hand, natural and whole foods such as spinach, sesame seeds, strawberries and quinoa are encouraged and beneficial for the liver. These unrefined foods can improve the quality of our blood, therefore improving and strengthening the liver.
The liver is believed to be closely connected to the mind. Because of this, when your mind is at peace, your liver is able to function properly. Getting enough sleep on a regular basis and taking time to rest your mind can help your liver function at its best.

Spring Body Cleaning Tips
1) Seek Acupuncture
We can’t talk about ways to cleanse the body this spring without mentioning acupuncture. From relieving seasonal allergies to reducing pain and inflammation, the benefits of this Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are endless.
2) Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey
You can make a powerful, all-natural detoxifying beverage by mixing together one tablespoon of unfiltered apple cider vinegar (with the ‘Mother’), one tablespoon of honey, and 12 ounces of water. The vinegar works to stabilize your body’s internal pH level, while the honey works to regulate your blood sugar levels. When combined together, it offers a superb cleansing and detoxifying beverage that’s perfect for the spring season. Even the Greek philosopher Socrates prescribed apple cider vinegar to his patients.
3) Take Care of Your Eyes
Did you know that your eyes are connected to every organ in your body in some manner? With that said, the liver has the strongest connection to the eyes. When your eye health begins to decline, so does your liver. Take care of your eyes by limiting your time in front of electronic displays (e.g. computers and television) and have an eye exam performed by a licensed optometrist at least once every two years.
4) Chlorophyll
Consuming chlorophyll – the pigment responsible for giving all green plants their color – will strengthen your liver. Chlorophyll is known to exhibit antioxidant properties, fighting harmful chemicals within the body known as free radicals. Some excellent sources of chlorophyll include spinach, parsley, garden cress, green beans, green peppers, Brussels sprouts, green peas, asparagus, broccoli, zucchini, cucumbers, green apples, melon, honeydew and kiwi.
5) Get Outdoors
The blooming plant life and warming temperatures offers the perfect opportunity to get outdoors and exercise. Exercise and fresh outdoor air stimulate the body’s energy (Qi), keeping it moving and flowing throughout the body. When Qi becomes stagnant, it increases the risk of disease and illness. Something as simple as a 30-minute walk outside can make a world of difference in your health.



Sources: “Staying Healthy with The Seasons”, by Elson M. Haas, M.D.,  “Body Wisdom: Chinese and Natural Medicine for Self-Healing”, by Jennifer Harper

The ancient Chinese believed that human beings should live in harmony with the natural cycles of their environment. The cold and darkness of winter urges us to slow down. This is the time of year to reflect on our health, replenish our energy, and conserve our strength.

he Kidney is the organ system that shares the power of Winter. Just as the bear survives upon accumulated reserves, the Kidney harbors our Essence that feeds and renews our life force. It is the Kidney that supports the reproductive organs governing sexuality, as well as engendering the structural elements of the body that regulate growth and regeneration. This is dependent upon an adequate store of Essence, which gives rise to the marrow, which produces the brain, spinal cord, bones, teeth, blood, and hair. Whereas Kidney Yin controls the juicy Essence, Kidney Yang kindles metabolic process. All the other organs depend upon the Kidney for moistening and regeneration (Yin), and for animation and warmth (Yang).

The Kidney is vulnerable to damage by exposure to physical cold–cold weather or air conditioning and by the ingestion of iced or refrigerated foods and beverages. Kidney Yin is subject to damage by chemical agents, such as antibiotics, food additives, air pollutants, and recreational drugs. Inadequate intake of water and too much bitter, salty, or spicy foods may also be harmful. Likewise, too little sleep, excessive exercise, sexual activity, or work undermines the Kidney.

Winter is Yin in nature; it is inactive, cold, and damp. Remain introspective, restful, and consolidate your Qi through the season and prepare for the outburst of new life and energy in the spring.

"The wise nourish life by flowing with the four seasons and adapting to cold or heat, by harmonizing joy and anger in a tranquil dwelling, by balancing yin and yang, and what is hard and soft. So it is that dissolute evil cannot reach the man of wisdom, and he will be witness to a long life." - Huangdi Neijing Suwen

Element: Water
Nature: Yin
Organs: Kidney, Urinary Bladder, Adrenal Glands, Ears, and Hair
Taste: Salty
Emotion: Fear and Depression

Winter is ruled by the water element, which is associated with the kidneys, bladder, and adrenal glands.
According to the philosophy of traditional Chinese medicine, the kidneys are considered the source of all energy (Qi) within the body.
They store all of the reserve Qi in the body so that it can be used in times of stress and change, or to heal, prevent illness, and age gracefully.

During the winter months it is important to nurture and nourish our kidney Qi. It is the time where this energy can be most easily depleted. Our bodies are instinctively expressing the fundamental principles of winter – rest, reflection, conservation, and storage.

Foods for Winter
Winter is a time when many people tend to reduce their activity. Avoid raw foods during the winter as much as possible, as these tend to cool the body. During winter you should emphasize warming foods:

• Warm, hearty soups and stews
• Lettuce, watercress, endive, escarole, turnip
• Celery, asparagus, alfalfa, carrot tops
• Rye, oats, quinoa, amaranth
• Citrus peels, outer most leaves of cabbage
• Chicory root, burdock root, horsetail, chaparral
• Miso, soy sauce, seaweeds
• Whole grains
• Roasted nuts
• Dried foods
• Small, dark beans
• Steamed winter greens
• Bone broth
• Millet, barley
• Garlic and ginger
• Most black foods nourish the kidneys

Eating warm hearty soups, whole grains, and roasted nuts help to warm the body's core and to keep us nourished.  Sleep early, rest well, stay warm, and expend a minimum quantity of energy.


reference: Diane Joswick, L.Ac., MSOM
Dr. Frank Lipman

"The Lung Official"
The Lung is known as the "Official Who Receives the Pure Chi From the Heavens". The act of breathing in, known as inspiration, brings oxygen into the body from the atmosphere. Each exhalation, or expiration, removes and releases carbon dioxide, a waste product of the body, into the atmosphere. This exchange of gases is essentially a process of taking in the new and discarding the old – which is precisely the function of the Metal element – the Lung and its brother Official, the Large Intestine.

We replenish our vital energy by the food and drink we consume, as well as the air we breathe. While we could survive weeks without food and days without water, we could not survive without air for more than mere minutes.

The Physical Level
The lungs are a pair of spongy organs situated in the thoracic cavity. Their main function is to oxygenate venous blood by the air drawn through the windpipe (trachea) into its tubular branches (bronchi), which divide into smaller branches, ending in microscopic air sacs (alveoli). In the alveoli, oxygen is absorbed into the blood. The oxygen is carried by the red blood cells throughout the body. Oxygen is essential for every cellular process. Carbon dioxide, a waste product of metabolism in animals, travels from the blood to the alveoli to be released by exhalation. Plants, in turn, "inhale" carbon dioxide to metabolize into energy through the process of photosynthesis, and "exhale" oxygen.

When the Lung is physically imbalanced, its functions of drawing breath, dispersing and descending of energy and body fluids may be impaired. Thus, we may find symptoms such as coughing, accumulation of phlegm, asthma, bronchitis, wheezing, and emphysema to name a few. The skin, also an organ of respiration, is called the "third lung". The skin is constantly interacting with and exchanging substances with our exterior surroundings. Thus, the skin is said to "breathe." Toxic substances are eliminated via the skin, and may also be absorbed. Skin diseases such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis may point to imbalance in the Lung Official.

When healthy, the Lung Official infuses every part of the body with pure, life-giving Chi, which we feel as physical vitality.

The Time and Season
Autumn, the season of Metal, is a time of letting go of the old and taking in the new. The air in autumn takes on a new crispness. Waking up on a brisk fall day and filling our lungs with clean, cool autumn air is a breath of inspiration indeed. It is no accident that in ashrams and monasteries, practitioners often wake at 3:00 AM (peak time for the Lung, according to the Chinese 24 hour clock) to do breathing and meditation exercises – to be most receptive to the inspiration, cleansing, and transforming power of the purest and most refined Chi.

In Autumn, leaves turn color and drop. The old leaves go back to the earth, enriching it to promote the coming of new leaves and, in time, a new harvest. Metal also gives value to the earth with the precious minerals and trace elements that are formed within it. Nature instructs us about our own cycles of creating and letting go. Trees in autumn don't stubbornly hold onto their leaves because they might need them next year. Yet, many of us defy the cycle and hold onto what we've produced or collected - those decayed leaves, that old negativity.

The Mental Level
Without the ability to take in new and fresh, it is difficult to let go of the old. We tend to cling to the past. Conversely, without letting go of the old, stale waste, anything new and fresh will become tainted and polluted. Nothing new can truly enter.

Just as Metal gives richness and value to the earth, it also grants us our sense of self worth. The air we breathe inspires the mind, as well as the body. Proper functioning of the Lung Official allows us to receive more than mere physical oxygenation. It allows us to absorb new experiences, fresh ideas, concepts, and to feel mentally inspired. Consider the spontaneous, innocent curiosity of a child. Everything is a fascinating exploration, a new discovery - full of wonder, unhindered by the toxic clutter of the past.

When Metal is healthy, it gives quality and essential goodness to every mental function. We make quality plans and decisions; we hold to standards of quality in what we consume, in how we honor and care for our bodies, in how we attend to our intellectual life, with whom we choose to interact, in the work we choose to do, and the boundaries we set and uphold. Such a healthy mind orients us to bring forth our very best, to be of service to others, and to fully express our unique gifts, talents, and abilities.

An imbalanced Lung Official, at the mental level, can manifest as a mind that is full of old judgments, assumptions, beliefs, prejudices, stubborn positions and opinions - rigid, closed, and inflexible. Anything new that is presented is often dismissed as unworthy, essentially a "load of crap". Such a mind is often dirty and cynical, seeing the bad in everything, envisioning the worst possible outcomes.

Lacking a sense of self worth, the Lung imbalanced person tends to project this perception outward viewing others, and the outer world at large, as unworthy, inferior, and undeserving of respect. There is often a cutting, dismissive sarcasm, and an air of arrogant superiority present in such people. Lacking self worth internally, the Lung imbalanced person may well crave constant acknowledgement, admiration, and respect from others. He may collect things that outwardly demonstrate quality and accomplishment. Identifying his worth with material things, he may become preoccupied with over-striving for such things as the "perfect" appearance, money, power, prestige, titles, awards, trophies (including "trophy" relationships), straight "A's", insignias of rank, flashy jewelry, cars, houses, and impressive letters after his name. However, as it all stems from an inner sense of worthlessness, the cravings will never be filled by external sources.

In the other extreme, Lung imbalanced people may reject all symbols of value, feeling that since they, and everything outside of them, are worthless anyway, why bother with self-care, cleanliness, behaving decently, or self- improvement? Thus, these may be some of the dirtiest, most uncivilized people we will encounter.

The Spirit Level
The emotion associated with the Metal element is grief, which, perhaps, illustrates the cause of the deepest suffering of the Metal imbalanced patient. When we speak of spiritual suffering or treatment of the Spirit level, we do not imply that the Spirit itself suffers or requires treatment. Spirit itself is pure consciousness, and being composed of nothing but it's self, can neither be balanced or imbalanced. It is innately perfect, eternal, and unchanging – a Divine gift, which cannot be improved. It is what allows us to feel love, compassion, and respect for others, recognizing that whatever their process, the same core Divinity resides in them as in ourselves. However, a person's perception of that Spirit can indeed be compromised. This is what is meant when we speak of treating the Spirit level.

Grief is a normal, necessary, and healthy emotion when appropriately expressed. We all inevitably experience separation and loss, and we grieve at those times. Grief cleanses us of what is past or no longer needed in our lives. Every religious or mystical tradition has specific processes, ceremonies, and rituals to help the bereaved fully process the grief of the loss of loved ones, honor their memories, and ultimately return to the flow of life. When the energy of Metal is blocked or imbalanced, the expression of grief likewise becomes imbalanced and inappropriate. It may be excessive and ongoing – long after the loss has occurred. It may manifest as a continual feeling of regret, stuck in grief over what might have been - all the missed opportunities, sadly viewing life as through a rear view mirror. In the other extreme, grief – even when it should be present - may be strangely absent, unable to be accessed. We call this "lack of grief". In either case, the past remains unprocessed, and the heaviness of its pain is still carried and buried within.

Difficult as it is for a Metal imbalanced person to process grief over material losses, the deepest and bitterest grief is the perceived loss of his or her true essential nature - the internal Spiritual connection. Only the Spirit has real and lasting value, which is completely independent of external processes. It is the Lung Official that grants us the ability to perceive that inspired connection. When we perceive the Divine within ourselves, there is nothing about which to grieve, nothing to prove or fear, and nothing lacking. There is a sense of awe and gratitude for life, knowing that we are a part of something eternal - so much bigger than our individual selves. Connected in this way, we know our true worth with certainty. We have true self-respect and respect for others. Without that connection, life seems empty, void of quality and purpose. Disconnected, we may manifest a quiet and immobile resignation, as if to say, "Why bother"? At the other extreme, we may chase after gurus, religions, and teachers in a desperate quest to fill the spiritual void, but the quests will be in vain as long as the internal imbalance exists: until the Lung Official is able to receive the pure Chi from the Heavens.

The Questions
The following questions are useful for self-observation and can be appropriately modified to inquire as to the state of a patient's Lung Official, particularly at the mental and spirit levels. While any symptom can come from a primary imbalance in any element, as imbalance spreads from one Element to the next, if you suspect a problem in a patient's Metal element and specifically with the Lung Official, here are some questions to consider in assessing its state:

1. When have you felt inspired or awestruck?
2. Who do you respect and admire, and why?
3. What do you need to grieve about?
4. With what material objects have you identified your self worth?
5. How important are titles to you?
6. When have you been so intimidated by another that you couldn't speak?
7. When have you tried to impress others by your flashy clothes, car, or house?
8. When have you felt superior and arrogantly dismissed another person?
9. When have you tried to intimidate others by your flaunting your intelligence?
10. What is truly unique and special about you?
    

Nourishing the lungs
The Lung is nourished by breathing. The best way to amplify Lung energy is to take plenty of fresh air, develop the physical capacity of the lungs through exercise such as swimming, and to consciously bring awareness into the breath. A few minutes each day of relaxed breathing, learning to breathe with the diaphragm and relaxing the muscles of the chest and shoulders, can be very effective at building the power of the Lung.
Expansive movements which physically open the chest are also helpful. The intention is to stretch, to bring tone and release contraction in the muscles that surround the rib cage. It is also possible to develop the Lung through voice work such as singing or learning to project the voice. This can be an emotionally charged process for some people, bringing them face-to-face with all the inhibitions which have been allowed to constrain self-expression.
The skin, as part of the Lung system, can be nourished by brushing. Rubbing with a good cotton towel or scrubbing the skin with a brush will maintain the skin’s health and support the immune system. Wearing natural fibres will allow the skin to breathe freely; going naked from time to time when weather and circumstances allow will also help the skin to breathe. Moderate sunbathing will nourish the skin, although overexposure may be damaging.

A Lung-supportive style of eating attends to the aesthetics of food and gives food a high value in daily life. A quality of respect for the importance of food and a delight in the simple rituals of eating set the tone for supporting the Lung.
The Lung governs Qi, so a Lung-nourishing approach to food will include many foods known as ‘Qi tonics’ and fresh foods alive with Qi. A diet high in fresh organic vegetables with some sprouted seeds and grains is helpful. The Lung also needs protein, and a craving for protein often indicates Lung Qi Deficiency. However, the best protein for the Lung is generally low fat such as tofu, beans and white meat.
When tolerated, dairy produce is strengthening for the Lung but in many cases causes congestion and the build-up of Phlegm. If this is the case, use goat or sheep products, or minimise dairy. Some pungent-flavoured foods are helpful to open the lungs and stimulate Lung function. Foods to keep in check are all those which cause congestion, i.e., rich fatty foods and any food which is processed or denatured.
Lastly, white and light-coloured foods resonate with the Lung, so foods such as radish, white meats and white mushrooms tend to have some benefit.


Source: Professor Neil R. Gumenick
M.Ac. (UK), C.T. (Adv.), L.Ac., Dipl.Ac.
http://www.meridianpress.net/articles/thelung-chinesemedicine.html

Summer represents the outward expression of energy, expansiveness, movement and activity. It is the most yang of the seasons and is ruled by fire. Life and energies are at their peak. Summer in TCM is the season associated with the heart and the small intestine. The colour is red, the emotion joy, and it is a time for growth, expansion, light, abundance and is the manifestation of all we have been cultivating throughout the spring. Many look forward to summer all year round. The weather is hot and the sun is out, improving people’s moods and people are drawn outdoors to participate in all the activities they have been longing for all winter. Plants grow quickly, people are full of energy and the body’s qi and vitality are at their peak. It is a time to cultivate the yang energy (fire), while making sure that it does not come to excess. In TCM, the heart, mind and spirit are ruled by the fire element, so priority should be given to these important aspects of ourselves in the summer season.
Rising early in the summer allows us to benefit from the suns nourishing rays. Being up early enables us to get all of the suns nourishing energy which is the most bountiful at this time of year. In summer, our work, play and relationships should be filled with joy and should instill in us a feeling of happiness and delight. We should live our lives and go about our daily activities with joy, passion, and laughter. This is how we know that the heart energy is balanced in us.
Physically, when we are properly balanced, the heart circulates oxygen rich blood throughout the body, and assures proper assimilation in the beginning stages of digestion in the small intestine. In Chinese medicine, mental acuity is associated with the heart therefore memory, thought processes, emotional well being and consciousness are also attributed to the heart and the fire element. This is a time to nourish our spirits, realize our life’s potential, finding joy in hot summer days and warm summer nights.
When the heart is balanced, the mind is calm and we sleep deeply and wake rested. When the heart is imbalanced, we may lack joy (which manifests in depression) or have an excess of joy (mania or manic behaviour). Some indications of a heart imbalance are nervousness, insomnia, heartburn and confusion, red complexion, poor memory and speech problems.
Emotionally, because the heart is connected to our spirits, summer is the best time to heal emotional wounds that we have carried with us from our pasts. Healing these wounds frees up space that we can fill with love, joy and happiness and ensures that we will not carry our old hurts with us into the future.
Here are some tips to help you make the most of the summer season:
Drink plenty of water and other fluids
Wake up earlier in the morning
Rest at midday
Add pungent flavors to your diet
Refrain from anger; keep calm and even-tempered. (anger causes and exacerbates heat!)

Summer is about abundance, and this is definitely the case with foods. Fruits and vegetables abound in summer, and we are lucky to have a multitude of choice when it comes to what we eat. Because it is the season of maximum yang, it is important to stay cool and hydrated. There are many foods that are beneficial to eat during this season. All foods in Traditional Chinese Medicine have a temperature, and energetic properties so in summer, we eat cool, yin foods that are moistening to balance the heat. Many raw foods are seen to be cooling in nature, so summer is the perfect time to indulge in salads, which are full of raw vegetables, very cooling and hydrating to the body - check with Anjelika if your digestion benefits from more raw or cooked foods. Eating more foods with pungent flavours and reducing bitter flavours help to strengthen the lungs – responsible for sweat so helps to maintain the normal sweating mechanism . Foods with cooling properties also clear heat, can reduce toxins and help to generate body fluids. Generally, most vegetables and fruits are cooling, eating them raw makes them cooler still, and many seafoods are also cooling in nature.

Here is a list of foods that are beneficial to eat in the summer months:

• Apricot
• Cantaloupe
• Watermelon
• Strawberries
• Tomatoes
• Lemon
• Peach
• Cucumber
• Orange
• Asparagus
• Sprouts
• Bamboo
• Bok choy
• Broccoli
• Chinese cabbage
• Corn
• White mushroom
• Snow peas
• Spinach
• Summer squash
• Watercress
• Seaweed
• Mung means
• Cilantro
• Mint
• Dill
• Bitter gourd
• Mung beans
• Wax gourd
• Lotus root
• Lotus seed
• Job’s tears
• Bean sprouts
• Duck
• Fish

Living in harmony with the seasons is at the core of Traditional Chinese wisdom. It was based on living in harmony with nature and one’s environment. Traditional Chinese Medicine is also a system that is rooted in prevention. Food is medicine and the ancient Chinese used food and its healing properties to build up the body when deficient, cleanse it when toxic, and release it when in excess. With these basic principles of eating with the seasons, and an awareness of the organs associated with each phase and their emotions, we can all stay healthy, strengthen our bodies, minds and spirits and live long, happy healthy lives.


reference: Emma Suttie, D.Ac for Chinese Medicine Living
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Chinese Medicine and The Major Organ Systems
Why do our internal organs correspond to seemingly unrelated aspects of nature, such as the Five Elements or the seasons? Modern quantum science as well as the ancient teachings of Chinese medicine says that everything is about energy and everything is energy. Everything that makes up a human being, mind-body-spirit, correlates at an energetic level to something “external” in nature. We can use the vibrational frequency of nature and these principles of natural law to heal and balance our bodies and emotions.

This principle of interconnectedness also applies between different physical aspects of our bodies. For example, the Kidney organ (TCM’ defines “organ” as including its energetic as well as its physiological aspects) correlates with the tissue of bone/teeth, the sensory taste of salt, the sensory organ of the ear, and the areas of the lower back, knees, and the heels/feet.

How can we use all this information on a practical level for better health? Read more below to learn about the signs and symptoms that each major organ will use as a “red flag” to let you know that it is out of balance or low in energy, and how you can apply the Five Element framework to support the health of each individual organ system.

Did you know, you can also eat specific foods to support each of your organs? Read here for dietary tips and recipes.

Liver health: According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Liver is the organ that is most affected by excess stress or emotions. Feel it, express it, but don’t hold it! Are you often irritable? Do things stress you out easily? Your Liver is telling you that its function is becoming out of balance. Read more here about Liver health.

Heart health: Did you know that incorporating more smiles into your daily meditation practice or just throughout the day can benefit your heart? True cardiovascular health is not just about physical fitness, it’s about deep self-love and contentment with one’s life and destiny. Find out more about Heart Health here.

Stomach health: Chronic stress, worry, and anxiety can damage Stomach function very quickly. Without the proper functioning of the Stomach, you can easily begin to suffer from poor digestive health and low metabolism function. Read here to find out more about Stomach health.

Lung health: Too much sadness and grieving can harm the Lung and its partner, the Large Intestine. “Letting things go” is a healthy way to deal with loss in life. Stimulate your Lung’s function by getting rid of physical and emotional baggage. Read more about Lung health.

Kidney health: The Kidney is the “reserve generator” of energy in the body, supplying extra Qi to all the organs when necessary. Its corresponding emotion of fear can be a red flag that this powerhouse of the body is itself low on Qi and needs some loving care! Read more here.


journal reference: tcmworld.org



For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.