Spring to mind – food for the seasons

Ok spring is definitely in the air. After such a cold winter my nose is pretty happy to be filled with the smell of blossom. Even the sound of  the first blowfly of the season makes me happy. (My enthusiasm for the sound of blowflies is usually short lived)  

Suddenly I have new ideas.  I actually was brave enough to do list AND nearly finish it (ok the kitchen didn’t get a clean but I did make a great lamb stew and fixed a couple of fences) 

According to Chinese medicine, body organs are assigned a season. We have moved out of Kidney time (winter) and now we are in spring, the season of the Liver. 

Winter is the time of reflection. Kidneys associated flavour is salt. Salt absorbs and contracts. It’s a time to reflect, work inward and have the occasional existential crisis. Some people do winter well. If you can gracefully lean in to it and learn the lessons of lady winter it can be a profound and enriching time. Though some us may resist the invitation to take time to be still and reclusive and end up being dragged by the scruff of the neck into kicking and screaming like a toddler that has been told to go to bed – but hey we can’t be good at everything!:-)  

Liver time has a whole new energy. it has the element of wood.  It’s the new beginning, its green shoots pushing through the dark soil, its expansive , it’s a silly dance when you hear a daggy 80s song while shopping in the supermarket, it’s cleaning the dust bunnies out of your running shoes, Its doing the jobs that you avoided because it was too overwhelming but have now magically quite easy. Its finally surrendering the tracksuit pants to the wash and putting on some jeans or maybe a skirt! Its me finally getting around to writing a newsletter.

What is the function of the Liver? From a Chinese medicine perspective, it ensures the smooth flow of qi throughout the body. It stores blood and regulates emotions. It nourishes the tendons  and ligaments (tightness, lack of flexibility and cramping) and stores and regulates the blood.  As many of you know, I’m an enthused student of both eastern and western body work. The Liver, from a western perspective, at rest, stores 10-15% of our blood.  When stimulated (ie exercise) or bleeding (menstruation) it can contract and release about ½ a litre of blood into the body. 

If the liver is out of balance, symptoms may be issues of the eyes (Liver governs the eyes) Skin issues such as acne, eczema, boils and arthritis. Menstrual irregularities such as heavy bleeding to no bleeding depending if you have an excess condition or a deficient. Other signs are muscle and tendon issues, anaemia, insomnia,  feeling of a lump in the throat, thyroid issues, chest and abdominal swelling with belching, nausea and acid reflux. These can indicate Liver stagnation.  

From a western perspective, the hormone associated with  the Liver is histamine. The liver does a great job breaking down histamine. If the Liver is not working well it cannot do this job as efficiently. What does histamine do? It makes you irritable. It interesting to note that woman who have menstrual issues such as PMT, cramping, heavy bleeding have raised histamine in their wombs.

In regards to the emotions connected to the Liver , when in harmony, The liver is the organ of inspiration. The Liver (along with its yang partner the Gall bladder) is our will. 

The liver is the dance teacher of the Organ family. It teaches you to waltz through life, gliding around the dance floor without standing on toes and bumping into other dancers. It is the team leader who others want to follow, it’s the fun loving fool who jumps off the cliff to pursue that great idea and is caught by chuckling conspiring angels and it all seems to work out! 

If the liver is imbalanced it can be a little more challenging to move through life. Its angry, resentful and impatient. It can cause mood swings where you are explosive one minute- then depressed the next. While the Liver can be the inspiration for great change it can also lead to a stagnation where you cannot  make changes at all. 

How can we support the Liver and make the most of the Spring energy?

Eat green things! Lots of vegetables that are steamed or stir fried quickly. Mustard, greens, watercress, onion, kale, parsley and kelp are all great pungent foods that gets that liver qi moving.  Herbs such as turmeric, basil, bay leaf, cardamom, ginger and mint are great herbs to incorporate into your diet. Having a dash of apple cider vinegar, or lemon in water at the start of the day can be a great kick starter for a sluggish liver. (though if you tend to “run hot” have vinegar short term and lemon long term). 

Other great foods that have slightly bitter taste and that the liver likes to be taken out to dinner with is rye, asparagus, amaranth, quinoa (I still don’t know who to pronounce this) alfalfa, radish leaves and citrus peel. The brassica family is always welcomed in the house of liver and why not? They are easy going and don’t overstay their welcome.  These are cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, kohlrabi and brussels sprouts. If you set a place for some sprouted grains, bean, seeds and fresh fruit, then you have yourself a liver party.

Foods that can make the liver refuse to get out of bed and swear at you quite a lot. 

Foods high in saturated fats.  Excess consumption of lard, red meats, cream ,cheese and eggs, nuts, alcohol and highly processed foods and refined foods.  

Some teas that the liver gives a nod of approval to.

Liquorice root

Dandelion

Jasmine tea

Lemon Balm

Peppermint

Green tea

Some great places around town you might want to take your liver.

The liver moves Qi and loves movement. Check out the many great yoga and qigong classes on offer in Warburton and surrounds.

Warburton Wellspring https://www.wellspringwarburton.org/classes

Chi Yoga – 5.30 -6.45  Wednesday – Peace farm Wesburn. Contact Cat – 0403 334 808

Yarra Valley Qi Gong Contact Peter Lorback – 0419 426 265

Shine Dance fitness- Redwood Centre – Thursday 6.30

Please note that in Chinese medicine that diagnosis of organ disharmonies can be quite complex. Eating healthy food accordingly to the seasons will make your body run more efficiently just like the right fuel and oil will make your car run better.  If you are experiencing ongoing chronic issues mentioned in this article consider seeking further health assistance. Shona Rich 0412 245 867 is a Chinese medicine practitioner who is an excellent herbalist and acupuncturist and is part of  our great health team at House of Harmony. 

Michelle Fisher

References 

Dechar, Lorie Eve – Five Spirits, Chiron publications 2006

Koewn Dr, Daniel – The Spark of the Machine, Singing Dragon 2014

Leggett, Daverick -Helping ourselves , Meridian Press 2008