Living in Harmony with the Seasons: 
Spring

Is there a more welcome sight than the return of Spring? After the long dark nights of
winter, Spring brings back the light. New shoots push up through the hard soil, creating
the familiar bright carpet of green that is so pleasing to the eye as well as the soul. In
Spring the world is renewed.

Now we shift from the Winter and Water element’s emphasis on conserving, rest, and
inner cultivation to the outward and upward movement of Spring and the Wood element.
Movement, vision, planning, and growth are some of the gifts of the Wood element.
The organs that correspond to the Wood element are the liver and gallbladder. One of
the most important functions of the liver is to cleanse and purify the blood. Spring is the
perfect time to cleanse the liver. Everything in springtime is clean and fresh and your
diet should be as well.

Follow these guidelines to support your liver and gallbladder:

 

• Emphasize light, fresh foods such as fresh beets, carrots, greens, spring onions,

lettuces, and sprouts.

• Chlorophyll-rich foods such as wheat grass, spirulina, barley grass, alfalfa sprouts, and

green drinks are great to revive the liver.

• Add a little more raw food to your diet, especially if you live in a warm climate.

• Avoid heavy foods.

• Cook foods lightly to retain their yang energy.

 

Try these Liver cleansing drinks:

• Combine Dandelion Root, Milk Thistle, and Red Clover Teas. Drink daily for a

week.

• Morning cleanser: 1 teaspoon of Apple Cider Vinegar and 1 teaspoon raw honey in a

glass of water. Drink daily for a week or two. You can substitute fresh lemon juice for
the apple cider vinegar.

• Add outdoor exercise to your daily routine. Go for a quick walk at lunchtime. Start to

stretch your muscles with some yoga. Go slow and work your way up gradually.

Follow these tips to live more in harmony with nature.

This is an original work by Ki Ennes M.Ac., L.Ac.

Reference- Paul Pitchford, Healing with Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern
Nutrition, 3 rd Edition, Berkeley, North Atlantic Books, 2003.