Spring and Traditional Chinese Medicine

[Guest guest]

Good Morning!

 

Spring and Traditional

 

In Traditional , we have a healing methodology called

the 5 Phases (Elements). In the Spring the weather is starting to

warm up by the change in the sun's position. The botanical world is

making its renewal known through growth and upheaval. The energy of

the season is rising upward and outward and expressing itself with

the freshness of a new start. This new growth is what is represented

by the element of Wood.

 

The Spring is the time when the climate is represented by Wind. Wind

Cold imbalances are those in which wind and cold play a role in

disease. The Liver and Gall Bladder systems are the most vulnerable

at this time. These imbalances are often expressed as hepatitis and

cases of pink eye which, in TCM stems back to imbalances in the Liver

and Gallbladder systems. The Liver governs the workings of the sinews

and muscles and imbalances are more apparent at this time of year.

The sound associated with Spring is shouting, while the emotion most

prevalent tends to be anger. By being prepared with this knowledge,

it allows us to be in tune with our own body systems and shows how

our health can be influenced by nature.

 

Strengthening the immune system should be a part of any seasonal

ritual! Any tonic formula that regulates Qi, nourishes the eyes and

tendons and tonifies the liver is appropriate. Remember, the best

form of medicine, is preventative. Consider Andrew's great Spring

Tonic Tea.

 

Learn how to heal with the seasons and how Traditional Chinese

Medicine will help you find remedies and bring your body back into

balance!

 

 

The Liver and Gallbladder

 

In Traditional , The liver and gallbladder are

associated with Spring. They belong to the element of Wood. The

Liver " system " is the " farmer who cultivates " . It stores blood,

governs and regulates the blood, organizes the " free flow " of Qi

energy to promote circulation which cultivates our emotions, soothes

digestion, regulates menstruation and bile secretion. The liver

changes harmful toxins into substances, which can be eliminated

safely by the colon or kidneys. The liver is our master cleansing

organ and the gall bladder is its mate. Enjoy a tall glass of water

with a 1/2 lemon squeezed into it.

 

The Gallbladder system in is associated stores and

excretes bile (as in Western medicine). The Gallbladder governs

decision making and gives the courage and capacity to make decisions.

Like the Liver, the Gallbladder controls the sinews by encouraging

the Qi to the fascia. The Gallbladder also has an effect on our

dreams. It is said that the Gallbladder effects the quality and

length of sleep, if it is deficient, a person will wake very early

and not be able to return to sleep. The Gallbladder's close

relationship to the Liver is not only anatomical but they both play

an essential role in the smooth flow of Qi throughout the body. In

order to plan a good life (which is a function of the Liver), one

needs good decision making skills (which is a function of the

Gallbladder).

 

The Liver is the major organ treated in . It is the

organ that rules the free flow of Qi. The primary symptoms of Liver

Qi Stagnation include frequent sighing; inpatients, anger and temper

outbreaks, a sensation of fullness or congestion in the chest,

intercostal, or subcostal regions. Secondary symptoms include

obstructed bowel movements; dry and distended eyes; feeling of

something being stuck in the throat; self-doubts and crying; pain

(especially intercostal and abdominal) that is characterized by

moving, pulling, or penetrating sensations; in females; premenstrual

breast distention; menstrual cramping and irregular menstruation.

 

 

The Wood Element

 

The element, Wood is associated with the Spring season and with wind.

 

The element is associated with the liver and the gallbladder, which

regulates the smooth flow of Qi energy throughout the body and has a

strong relationship with the reproductive organ system and the

ability to nourish the body with blood.

 

Emotionally, wood allows you to be adaptable to life. It is the

creativeness of the wood element that gets expressed when we are at

our most artistic. Spring is the new life energy of growth, renewal

and the life force sprouting upward and outward. Wood allows you to

make a plan and stay true to that plan. It also allows you to be

flexible, like a willow and adapt to the circumstances that intercept

your plans and expectations.

 

Psychologically, wood is the element that represents our growth. Too

much wood in the environment can produce excess growth, as in when a

relationship moves too quickly or a business starts growing too fast

without a strong foundation. Not enough wood in the environment and

the results is expressed as stagnation or barrenness. Wood represents

our creative urge to achieve, which can turn to anger, when

frustrated. The wood element represents all the activities of the

body that are self regulating and/or function without conscious

thought such as heart beat, digestion, respiration and metabolism.

 

The Solar Plexus Chakra is in the third in the Chakra system and

represents our power and will and autonomy, as well as our

metabolism. When healthy, this Chakra brings us energy,

effectiveness, spontaneity, and non-dominating power. It is your

center of will. This Chakra deals with the human ego, emotions and

self-love. Intuition is believed to begin in the area of our Solar

Plexus Chakra. Although, the Third Eye Chakra is most associated with

intuition, the " spark " is what is felt in the area of our solar

plexus.

 

 

Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.

Peacefulmind.com

Therapies for healing

mind, body, spirit