East Meets West

Because Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) was developed thousands of years ago, ancient practitioners looked to nature to help to define the body’s organ systems. Each organ was related to an element from nature. Five elements were chosen: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Each element was also assigned a season and a variety of other “characteristics”, including flavor, color, a sensory organ, and emotion. (For more about the basics in the 5 elements of TCM, see the article “5 Elements”).

Spring is the time when the TCM organ systems Liver and Gallbladder are most active. If you suffer from one of the following symptoms, you might consider following some of the healthy suggestions below.

Some Liver-related issues that TCM can help...

Manage stress and calm irritability.
Improve your liver's ability to detoxify your body.
Speed healing of injuries and relax tight muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
Treat women's hormone imbalances causing PMS, menstrual cramps, irregular menstruation, peri-menopausal symptoms, etc.
Boost energy and lift your spirits.

Element: Wood

TCM Organ systems: Liver and Gallbladder

Color: Green–Wear this color, eat green foods, go outside and enjoy the green leaves and grass.

Emotion: Anger – Deal with your anger issues.

Flavor: Sour – Try naturally sour foods like yogurt, raw sauerkraut, or fresh lemon juice in water.

Body tissue: Tendons and ligaments – Do stretching exercises.

Sense organ: Eyes – Take care of your overworked eyes. Rest your eyes by covering them with the palms of your hands and allow your eyes to relax until you see only all black. When at your computer, look as far as you can away from your monitor every 15 minutes.

Health Issues to Address: Related to the Liver—Detoxification: reduce the burden by limiting your toxin exposure from processed foods, intoxicants, chemical household products, and body care products.