Spring Health Tips

Spring in Chinese Medicine

According to the Chinese Lunar calendar, spring starts the first week of February (or some sources even say it starts on the new year, January 22nd) as opposed to March 20th in the Gregorian calendar.

Despite the weird weather pattern lately in California for the last couple of weeks (we even had some snow in the Hills), you can see the hints of spring. Seeds have been sprouting, we have been seeing and hearing birds in the morning at the clinic garden, and the days are getting longer. Let’s take a look at how Chinese Medicine sees spring.

Spring is associated with Wood Phase (element). It is a time of expansive movement and growth. The organs are liver and the yang pair gallbladder. The color is green. As the sprouts reach out towards the sun, the liver wants to reach out and spread the qi in the body. If the liver qi gets constraints, then the blockages might create pain, emotional outburst anger, or repressed emotions can turn into depression. Other signs and symptoms of liver qi constrain might be mood swings, migraines, pain, shoulder and neck tension, PMS, excessive sighing, and skin flare-ups.

The liver also controls the tendons and ligaments, in order to keep the liver qi healthy, practicing regularly tai chi, qi gong, yoga, or any type of physical activity that engages your body (especially your joints, tendons, and ligaments) would be helpful.

If you would like to start practicing qi gong but don’t know where to, we offer weekly qi gong classes on Wednesday 9am-10am at the clinic garden. (indoors, if it rains).

The liver channel is connected to the eyes, and the healthy vision is based on the nourishment of liver blood. Insufficient liver blood may cause dry eyes and blurred vision; hyperactivity of the liver yang might lead to pain and swelling of the eyes. Taking regular breaks from the computer and using acupressure on the source point of the liver channel liver 3 and gallbladder 20 will help the eye health. We are also about to have our new herbal blend ‘Bright Eyes’ tea on our shelves next week with another collaboration of Blue Willow Tea. Bright eyes tea has a blend of organic chrysanthemum, peppermint, goji berries, and Chinese red dates that are good for the eyes and overall for the spring season.

In Huang Di Nei Jing, chapter 10 says that the liver longs for sour [flavor]. Chapter 22 says “When the liver desires to disperse, quickly eat pungent to disperse, for it is tonified with pungent and purged with sour.” So sour flavors enter the liver, sour collects the qi, and if the liver qi is scattered and we can use sour flavor to constrain it. A few drops of lemon juice in your water or adding some vinegar and pickles to your diet would be helpful.

On the other hand if the liver qi is constraint which is way more commonly seen, you can add some pungent favors to your food such as curry powder scallions, leeks, chives, cilantro. As green being the color of the wood phase, you can eat leafy greens, and sprouts. Our very own wonderful patient coordinator Chloe has a great receipt to share this month:

Chicken & Lime Soup Recipe

Ingredients:

1 yellow onion

4 stalks onion

1 jalapeño

1 poblano pepper

4 cloves garlic

2 tbs garlic

4 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts (or tofu for a vegan option!)

8 cups chicken or vegetable broth

2 10oz cans diced tomatoes

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp cumin

4 limes

3 avocados

cilantro, arugula, or chopped green onions and corn tortilla chips for garnish

Instructions:

• Chop the onion, celery, poblano and jalapeño (remove seeds of jalapeño before dicing and discard). Mince the garlic. Add olive oil to a large soup pot and sautee chopped vegetables over medium heat for about 5 minutes or until onions are soft and translucent.

• Add the chicken breast, chicken broth, diced tomatoes (and juices), oregano, and cumin. Place lid on pot, turn the heat up high, and bring broth to a boil. Once boiling, turn heat down to low and let the pot simmer, covered, for about 45 minutes. Check the chicken after about 25 minutes, it may be done ahead of time.

• After 45 minutes, remove chicken from pot and use two forks to shred the meat, then return it to the pot. Add zest of 2 limes plus squeeze the juice of two limes into the soup.

• Slice the avocado, add a few slices to each bowl as well as a few wedges of lime. Add whichever other garnishes you like - some chopped cilantro, a small handful of arugula, some chopped green onions, and/or some corn tortilla chips. Serves 6