Why are the organs referred to as organ systems or organ networks?

In Chinese Medicine the organs are referred to as Organ Systems or Networks because they are understood to have emotional, mental and psycho- spiritual functions in addition to their physiological roles.

What should I avoid in the Spring?

  • Greasy foods, rancid oils and/or nuts as they burden the gall bladder

  • Spicy foods also tax the gall bladder

  • ALCOHOL - as it is heating & drying. Too much alcohol dries up the yin of the liver. A hot/agitated liver wreaks havoc on the heart.

  • Cannibis - sedates the liver. In moderation, it can help soothe an irritated Liver. Yet chronic use can weaken the natural upward movement of the Liver. Remember, that the liver’s relationship with blood (& qi) means that it always has an emotional component. What does cannibis offer you? Is it getting to the root or masking the deeper imbalance?

  • Opiates/amphetamines - the liver has to process everything we ingest. These substances are exponentially difficult for Liver health.

  • Extremes - moderation is the central edict in Chinese thought. This applies to food and, perhaps, more so to our emotional life.

What are some signs that my Wood Element may be out of balance?

  • Intolerance, impatience - these are manifestations of anger and frustration.

  • Volatile emotions - the liver has the function of stopping the extremes and, as mentioned, has the role of smoothing our emotional flow

  • Extremism: impulsive or over disciplined, self indulgent or self punishing.

  • PMS - Most if not all menstrual disharmony implies a disharmony in the liver/wood element.

  • Vascular headaches, muscle spasms, high blood pressure, nerve inflammations, migratory pains - often the result of deficiency of liver blood & yin. (Yin is moistening, cooling and calming. Blood is a yin substance.)

  • Menstrual disorder, PCOS

  • Menopausal disregulation

  • Diaphragmatic tension pain - the liver is governs the diaphragm.

  • Certain presentations of insomnia (trouble staying asleep and waking between 11pm-3am)

  • Depression &/or anxiety - This is typically due to liver qi stagnation depression and/or liver blood insufficiency

What can I do if I have some of the above signs of disharmony?

First of all, please know that we live in a society that inadvertently perpetuates Wood disharmony. We all have it to varying degrees. Guidance given here is general and if you are seeking specific guidance, please consult your doctor.

  • Begin each day with warm lemon water (sour taste) to cleanse excess from liver and gall bladder.

  • Avoid the items above.

  • Include MINERALS - think about CHLOROPHYL and foods that nourish blood - molasses, black sesame seeds, tan sesame seeds, astragalus, spirulina, SEAWEEDS.

  • Enhance gut health by including unpasteurized sauer kraut, pre-biotics which are naturally occurring on veggies, cut out processed foods, sugars, etc.

  • Gently cleanse the liver using foods such as sprouts, chickweed, nettles, parsley, cilantro, dandelion leaf

  • Nettles, milk thistle, dandelion root & leaf

  • Burdock root tea or tincture

  • MILKY OATS tea or tincture to nourish the kidneys and adrenals which are the mama of the liver.

  • Apple Cider Vinegar infused with herbs like mugwort, dandelion, chamomile, thyme.

How else can I support the ‘smooth flow of my qi & blood’?

So good of you to ask;)

  • JOURNAL - morning pages, night pages… let the emotions and thoughts flow uncensored!

  • MOVE - the liver and gall bladder sit beneath the diaphragm.

  • TWIST & SHOUT

  • Jump, PLAY - spring is the season that corresponds to the life phase of youth/birth. Let yourself be a child.

  • Arhythmic movements

  • Tennis, pickle ball, badminton - activities to appropriately move anger

  • Swift walking

  • CREATE - The Liver wants to express. Scratch that. The Liver MUST express. Doodle. Draw. Whistle. Pick up the guitar.

  • Challenge yourself

  • Practice being DECISIVE - that helps to exercise the Gall Bladder

If I forget everything else, what’s the one thing I should remember?

You must remember two things:

  1. Compassion: the virtue of Spring is benevolence or compassion. Compassion towards oneself and towards our fellow travelers.

  2. Nourishment: This is a course about nourishment. Celebrate all steps in this direction.