Spring is a time of renewal and new beginnings. After the dormancy of winter, green plants start to push upwards through the ground as roots spread into the earth. The foundation of the upward-moving energy is laid upon the foundations of the resting phase during winter. Seeds sprout and organize themselves, expressing their direction and irrepressible purpose.
Similarly, as the weather warms, we also feel a new sense of activity and purpose. As the days become longer and warmer we also set our plans into action. We rise early and spend more time outdoors. We spring-clean our homes and bodies, moving away from heavy stews, casseroles and fatty foods of winter and move towards raw and lightly cooked foods and fasting to detoxify and renew.
The liver and gall-bladder are the organs associated with wood energy, which is responsible for the storage and distribution of nutrients as well as detoxification. As such, it is largely responsible for the storage and distribution of our vital energy and governs the direction and purpose of our energies. Liver energy is associated with the function of planning and gall-bladder energy is associated with decision-making – how plans are put into action. When either of those functions is thwarted, the response is usually anger, the emotion associated with the wood element.
There are two common imbalances associated with wood energy. The most common in modern society is the hard-worker pattern, where we assume too much responsibility and put our focus into organizing and executing plans and making decisions. When this pattern becomes extreme, it can lead to rigidity, impatience and frustration, belligerence, stubbornness and lightning anger. The hard-worker becomes stressed and exhausted and usually turns to stimulants such as alcohol to help relax. The other pattern is the person who is perpetually disorganized and has difficulty making decisions, causing frustration and impatience for themselves and others. Taken to an extreme, it can be difficult to find direction or purpose in our life and can lead to depression.
These imbalances can show up as stiffness or shakiness in the muscles and joints, nervous strain and difficulty in sleeping, eyestrain and headaches, poor digestion and nausea, irregular menstruation and per-menstrual and menopausal symptoms. Reducing and eliminating fatty foods, sugar, alcohol and other stimulants and not eating late at night reduces the burden on the liver and gallbladder. Eating raw and lightly cooked foods, particularly green vegetables, sprouts, and good quality vinegars is important, based on a diet that focuses on whole foods. Fasting is also an excellent way to detoxify and renew the liver but must be done carefully to avoid problems. Check back soon for the next post where I’ll discuss how to fast safely.