How to Support the Liver & Gallbladder for Spring
The spring equinox is approaching, which of course marks the beginning of the season in our calendar. In the lunar calendar of Chinese medicine, however, the equinoxes and solstices mark the peaks of the seasons rather than the beginnings. Spring is already well underway from a Chinese medicine perspective. In our northeast climate, its beginnings tend to be subtle. The increasing length of days may be the most obvious sign. There’s an energetic movement pushing up and out from under the still quiet of winter. And, literally, we will soon see sprouts pushing up and out of the soil.
In Chinese medicine, each season is associated with an element. These elements comprise all life, including ourselves. For spring, it’s Wood, the element associated with trees and all other plants, as well as the Liver and Gallbladder. It is the energy that pushes up and out into the world, causing a sprout to burst forth from a seed. What this means in our lives is the energy to assert ourselves. To make decisions and carry them out, or pivot gracefully if we run into an obstacle. It is also the energy of benevolence, genuinely acting for the good of humanity. When imbalanced, this energy can veer into frequent frustration, aggression, or belligerence. It can also swing to the opposite end of the spectrum, manifesting as passive aggression or timidity.
A common ailment of the Liver and Gallbladder is qi stagnation — stuck energy. This can result in things like pain, frustration, and depression. So what can we do to support our Liver and Gallbladder for spring? Many things. Here are a few:
Mindful movement
Qigong
Tai chi
Yoga
Conscious dance
A mindful walk
The Wood element thrives on activity, but moving too quickly, carelessly, or with too much tension can cause injury. The practices noted above help bring awareness to your body as you move, making you less prone to injury (especially tai chi and qigong). The often slow, circular movements of qigong and tai chi in particular benefit the tendons and ligaments, which are governed by the Liver and Gallbladder. Especially as we age, maintaining or developing flexible joints is so important for pain-free mobility.
Diet
Eat complex carbohydrates like grains, vegetables, and legumes during springtime
Eat foods to help soothe stagnation, a common issue for the Liver: beets, taro root, strawberries, peaches, cherries, chestnuts, pine nuts, cabbage, turnip, cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts
Reduce processed foods
Replace refined sweeteners with a little bit of honey
Maybe plant a garden or start some plants in pots, to grow your own organic food!
For suggestions more specific to you, consult a Chinese medicine practitioner.
Sleep
Each major organ has a time of peak function according to Chinese medicine. It depends on the time of year, but for the Liver and Gallbladder, it is approximately 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. So it is actually best to be asleep during their peak time! Ever had to make a big decision and needed to “sleep on it”? That was a good idea, because the Liver and Gallbladder organs are responsible for healthy decision-making. They help us to see a broader perspective so that, come morning, we can take action and move forward. The Wood element is also responsible for our creativity — many artists will relate to this. Stay up too late and you may catch a “second wind” that has you painting, writing, or otherwise creating art into the wee hours. However, this is usually not sustainable, as it causes imbalance in other areas of our life.
For those with trouble sleeping, there may be many contributing factors. Getting exposure to sunlight during the day, avoiding eating and limiting drinking past 7 p.m., and creating a sleep ritual are good first steps. A sleep ritual signals the body it’s time to wind down, and may involve avoiding screens, dimming lights, and playing soothing music. In traditional Chinese culture, it is common to soak the feet in mugwort-infused water before bed. Sitting meditatively while soaking them for 30 minutes before bed is best. Learn more here.
Acupressure points
Liver 3: Tai Chong, Great Rushing (also known as Happy Calm)
Located between the metatarsals of the first and second toe. Slide your finger up from the space between these toes until it reaches the angle between the bones, and press in to find the tender spot.
Soothes emotional distress and pain of many kinds; aids in sleep and menstrual issues
Liver 14: Qi Men, Gate of Hope
Located in the sixth intercostal space (between the ribs), approximately in line with the nipple. If it’s too hard to find, simply place your hands flat over your lower ribcage / diaphragm area.
Soothes pain in the abdomen or ribcage area, relieves acid reflux. Acts as a kind of pressure release valve when we’ve been holding tension, possibly sighing a lot in repressed frustration or depression.
Gallbladder 20: Feng Chi, Wind Pond
Located below the base of the skull, in the hollow between the heads of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) and trapezius muscles. Feel for a tender hollow, then press in and up, towards the opposite side.
Relieves headache and neckache; treats ear issues, eye issues, and allergies affecting the sinuses. All the acupressure points along the line where the head meets the neck are beneficial to prevent catching a cold/flu and maintain circulation of qi and blood to and from the head.
Gallbladder 40: Qiu Xu, Wilderness Mound
Locate at the junction of the anterior (front of body) and inferior (lower) edges of the outer ankle. Slide your finger along the bottom edge of the ankle like you’re drawing the mouth on a smiley face, until it comes to a stop at the edge of the “smile.”
Relieves headache as well as leg cramps, sciatica, or hip pain. On a mental/emotional level, it may grant us a higher or broader perspective to make sense of the “wilderness” surrounding us.
Interested in trying qigong or acupuncture, or other Chinese medicine modalities? Register for a class or book an appointment here.