Oxalis acetosella common wood sorrel has a pleasant sour taste that supports the liver. Yummy added to your salad.
As the days grow longer and the chill of winter fades, nature begins to wake up — buds blossom, birds return, andthe air is filled with new energy. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), spring is a powerful season of renewal, movement, and transformation.
Just as nature comes alive, our bodies and minds are also ready to shift and grow. Understanding the energetics of spring in Chinese medicine can help us align with the season and support our health in natural, harmonious ways.
🌿 The Wood Element: Growth, Flexibility, Vision
In TCM, spring is associated with the Wood element, which symbolizes growth, creativity, and expansion — just like the trees stretching toward the sun. Wood energy encourages us to set plans in motion, move our bodies, and plant the seeds for new beginnings.
💚 The Liver: Spring’s Ruling Organ
Each season is linked to a specific organ system, and for spring, it’s the Liver. In TCM, the Liver isn’t just a physical organ; it’s responsible for the smooth flow of Qi (energy) and emotions throughout the body.
A healthy Liver system:
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Supports clear vision — both physically and metaphorically
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Regulates mood and emotions
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Aids digestion by keeping energy moving
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Supports flexibility in body and mind
But when Liver Qi is stagnant — often from stress, frustration, or lack of movement — you might feel irritable, bloated, or stuck emotionally.
🌬 Common Springtime Imbalances
With the Liver’s strong presence in spring, this is a time when emotional tension and digestive issues can surface if energy isn’t flowing smoothly.
Some signs of spring imbalance may include:
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Irritability or mood swings
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PMS or menstrual irregularities
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Headaches or tight shoulders
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Eye discomfort or allergies
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Feeling stuck, unmotivated, or overly angry
🌀 How to Stay Balanced in Spring
The key to health in spring is movement, cleansing, and lightness. This is the time to shake off winter stagnation and start fresh.
Here’s 5 ways to support your Liver and stay in sync with spring:
1. Get Moving
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Stretch, walk, dance, do yoga — anything that gets Qi flowing.
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Move gently and consistently to help release physical and emotional tension.
2. Eat for the Season
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Focus on light, fresh foods: leafy greens, sprouts, citrus, and sour flavors help cleanse and activate the Liver. Our Glow Roots and Bloom line is designed to support you in each season. Try our Liver Tonic Tea or Jade Congee to align your body with Spring.
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Avoid heavy, greasy, or overly sweet foods that can bog you down.
3. Express Yourself
Bai Shao (White Peony) Mei Gua (Rose) Full Moon Blank Note Card. On the back it reads: Created under the light of a Libra Full Moon during Aries season, this piece invites reflection on the synergistic energy of lunar fullness and the gentle power of feminine herbs. Bai Shao and Mei Gua open the heart and move the spirit—balancing Aries’ fiery drive with Libra’s harmonious grace. Let this image be a meditation on beauty, balance, and inner strength.
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Spring is a time for creativity. Journal, make art, plan new projects. Keep an eye out for our new line of note cards featuring inspiring words and images for healing and meditation.
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Let your ideas sprout like spring blossoms!
4. Declutter and Detox
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Clean your space, donate unused items, and simplify your environment.
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Consider gentle cleansing practices like herbal teas or seasonal acupuncture.
5. Rise Earlier
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Spring’s rising energy makes early mornings ideal for renewal and activity. Try adjusting your sleep schedule to greet the day with the sun.
🌞 Spring Is a Fresh Start
In Chinese medicine, living in tune with the seasons is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to support health. Spring reminds us to let go of the old, embrace the new, and allow ourselves to grow and expand — just like the world around us.
So take a deep breath of that fresh spring air, open your windows (and your heart), and welcome the new energy with intention and joy.
