spring Archives - Mend Acupuncture

Anger: The Emotion of Spring
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Anger: The Emotion of Spring

Mood, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness

Anger: The Emotion of Spring

By JaimeRoslyn|2024-04-24T13:04:56-04:00April 24th, 2024|Categories: Mood, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness|Tags: anger, emotions, liver, spring, tips, Wood|

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), spring is associated with the Liver, the emotion of anger and the Wood element. The Liver is responsible for the smooth flow of emotions, Qi (energy) and blood. When the Liver is functioning properly, Qi flows smoothly and emotions are balanced. However, when the Liver is imbalanced, Qi stagnates and emotions like anger can arise. Other emotions associated with Liver disharmony include depression, worry, and anxiety. Stress, as well as improper diet or exercise, can cause Liver imbalance. During the spring season, the Liver is thought to be particularly vulnerable to imbalance. This is [...]

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Nutrition for Spring
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Nutrition for Spring

Nutrition, Seasonal Changes

Nutrition for Spring

By Alexandra|2024-04-09T12:51:50-04:00March 17th, 2023|Categories: Nutrition, Seasonal Changes|Tags: green, liver, nutrition, sour, spring|

Photo by Cup of Couple from Pexels As we transition from the chilly depths of winter to the blossoming warmth of spring, our diets change to reflect this huge seasonal shift. In the yin of winter, Chinese Medicine prescribes a diet full of warm foods that are more heavily cooked. In spring, as we move towards the yang of summer, we want to eat foods that are both lighter, and more lightly cooked. Consider steaming your vegetables, instead of boiling or roasting them. The LIVER is the organ associated with springtime. The Liver is associated with regulating the smooth [...]

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TCM Tips for Better Sleep
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TCM Tips for Better Sleep

Seasonal Changes, Sleep

TCM Tips for Better Sleep

By JaimeRoslyn|2024-04-24T12:27:57-04:00March 14th, 2023|Categories: Seasonal Changes, Sleep|Tags: insomnia, sleep, sleep hygiene, spring, tips, Yong Quan|

Photo by Ron Lach from Pexels When we don’t get enough sleep, our mood, concentration and overall health can take a serious hit. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers insight into treating insomnia, whether it’s difficulty in falling or staying asleep. Next time you find yourself tossing and turning in bed, try out these tips and tricks to help get a good night’s rest. What Causes Poor Sleep? According to TCM, issues with sleep are usually attributed to imbalances of yin and yang qi (energy) within the body. During the day, yang energy dominates as it fuels the body’s activities and [...]

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Use TCM to Help Adjust to Daylight Saving Time
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Use TCM to Help Adjust to Daylight Saving Time

Seasonal Changes, Sleep

Use TCM to Help Adjust to Daylight Saving Time

By JaimeRoslyn|2024-03-12T10:10:01-04:00March 7th, 2023|Categories: Seasonal Changes, Sleep|Tags: insomnia, spring, Spring Forward, tips|

Photo by cottonbro studio from Pexels The shift to daylight saving time on the second Sunday of March is when the clocks move forward by one hour at 2 a.m. With this change, the sun will rise later in the morning, and the light will last longer into the evening. While we welcome the opportunity to spend more time outdoors with the extra hour of daylight in the evenings, “Spring Forward” also means that we lose an hour’s sleep, leaving many of us feeling sluggish and tired. “It is harder for most people to spring forward than to fall back,” [...]

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Spring’s Organs of Creation and Growth
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Spring’s Organs of Creation and Growth

Organ, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness

Spring’s Organs of Creation and Growth

By Julia|2023-03-08T08:46:56-05:00March 3rd, 2023|Categories: Organ, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness|Tags: gallbladder, liver, spring, tips|

Photo by Ron Lach from Pexels Spring is upon us — a season of new life, new possibilities, revitalization and hope. Since I began studying and practicing Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and the Five Elements, I have become more attuned to the change of seasons, as they show up in nature and in my body. After all, our body is a microcosm that reflects the ebbs and flows of the natural macrocosm. There are two yin/yang paired organs, the Liver and the Gallbladder, that are particularly impacted by the arrival of spring. It is a time when the gifts of [...]

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The Spring Season: An Overview
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The Spring Season: An Overview

acupoint, Mood, Organ, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care

The Spring Season: An Overview

By JaimeRoslyn|2023-03-09T16:58:47-05:00March 1st, 2023|Categories: acupoint, Mood, Organ, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care|Tags: anger, gallbladder, liver, spring, tips, Wood|

Photo by Ulises León Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) places great emphasis on the concept of balance and harmony between the body and the environment. In TCM theory, each season is associated with different elements, organs, emotions, and health concerns. Spring, considered a time of renewal and growth, is associated with the Wood element, the Liver and Gallbladder organs and the emotion of anger. Issues that tend to pop up in the springtime include irritability, migraines, colds, sinus issues, worsened PMS symptoms, tendonitis flare-ups, and insomnia. Element of Spring: Wood During the spring season, our environment is buzzing and brimming [...]

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Leveraging Spring Energy
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Leveraging Spring Energy

Mood, Prompts, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness

Leveraging Spring Energy

By JaimeRoslyn|2023-05-01T15:30:22-04:00April 10th, 2022|Categories: Mood, Prompts, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness|Tags: building, Chinese medicine, emotion, gallbladder, growth, leveraging, liver, new beginnings, renewal, spring, TCM, tips, walking|

A Season of New Beginnings and Growth In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the seasons hold a powerful symbiotic relationship on our body, mind and spirit. And while Western culture certainly is influenced by seasonal aspects, TCM goes much deeper. At the heart of Traditional Chinese Medicine lies the Five Element cycle which symbolizes the continuity and stages of life. Each season, and its corresponding element, represents a stage of development. Spring, aligned with the Wood element, is the first in the cycle and signifies creation – birth, life and its subsequent evolution. The rest we took in the winter [...]

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Nettles for Allergies
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Nettles for Allergies

Allergies, Herbs, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness

Nettles for Allergies

By Alexandra|2022-11-15T14:05:15-05:00March 23rd, 2022|Categories: Allergies, Herbs, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness|Tags: allergies, herbs, nettles, spring|

Photo by Paul M on Unsplash Here we are. It’s that special season of warmer weather, beautiful flowers blossoming, with a side of sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes and fatigue. Luckily, we have an amazing medicinal herbal plant that helps remedy our seasonal sneezes and sniffles: Stinging nettles! Nettles are so common that if you know how to identify them and you’re out on a hike, you’ll find them popping up everywhere around this time of year. Stinging nettles work well for allergies because of their decongestant and antihistamine properties. This herb is very tonifying with all of its abundant antioxidants, minerals [...]

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Spring Energetics: Wood and Wind
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Spring Energetics: Wood and Wind

Seasonal Changes

Spring Energetics: Wood and Wind

By JaimeRoslyn|2023-03-14T10:17:47-04:00March 14th, 2022|Categories: Seasonal Changes|Tags: Chinese medicine, spring, TCM, wind, Wood|

Photo by Joshua Abner from Pexels Although we think of January 1 as the beginning of the year, we can also think of spring as a beginning, as well. During this season we slough off the cool and damp days of winter, and welcome warmth and brightness. In this process, spring becomes the pinnacle of new growth and the start of a new cycle. Spring’s Wood Element According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the spring season is represented by the element of Wood which symbolizes birth, growth, and development. To capture the energy of Wood, consider how during this [...]

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Foods to Focus on During Spring
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Foods to Focus on During Spring

Nutrition, Seasonal Changes, Wellness

Foods to Focus on During Spring

By JaimeRoslyn|2024-04-10T12:28:05-04:00April 13th, 2021|Categories: Nutrition, Seasonal Changes, Wellness|Tags: Chinese medicine, foods, sour, spring, sweet, TCM|

Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), spring is associated with the Wood element and corresponds to the Liver and Gallbladder organs. According to TCM principles, spring is a time of renewal, growth, and regeneration, mirroring the awakening of nature. During this season, it's believed that the Liver qi (vital energy) tends to be particularly active, and it's important to support its functions through proper nutrition to maintain balance and harmony within the body.Nature as our Guide What was true centuries ago, still holds true today – our best lifestyle cues come from living in harmony [...]

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