Spring Equinox Wellness Newsletter

March 20th 2025 at 2:01 AM PDT marked the Vernal Equinox, the midpoint between Winter and Summer Solstice and what we generally consider the start of Spring.  The magnolia, plum and cherry trees have started to bloom and our eyes and hearts rise to the beauty.  The Chinese characterized the season of Spring appropriately with the element of Wood or more precisely the green wood and colorful blooms of new growth. Like daffodils emerging from the moist soil or swollen streams and rivers pushing the debris of winter out, the qualities of Spring are growth and cleansing.  We can honor the season internally by supporting and cleansing the liver and gallbladder, the organs of spring. You can greatly improve your liver and gallbladder's function by continuing to cook with and eat garlic, ginger and scallions and minimize heavier richer foods with fats, dairy products, alcohol and caffeine.  With the grip of cold still lingering, cooked greens such as asparagus, broccoli, spinach, kale, collard greens are excellent.  As the weather warms up adding more sour flavors such as lemon, lime and vinegar can help improve digestion, allergy response and decrease sugglishness. A refreshing drink can include angostura bitters in soda water with fresh lemon or lime juice. For vegetables give this recipe a try. These foods not only help the body rid itself of metabolic waste, they also decrease general inflammation in the body.  Inflammation in the body exacerbates allergies, arthritis, PMDD, migraines and other chronic conditions.   Acupuncture can trigger the body's detoxification and elimination pathways oftentimes quickly stopping and reversing inflammation and allergic reactions and pain.  Herbs and supplements can further support the body's abilities to self regulate and leap into spring.

In the Spring the cool deep calm potential of Winter is transformed into tenacious new growth both physically as well as mentally. Now is the time to plant the seeds of new ideas and envision or re-envision your life’s goals for the next month, six months, year or five years.  When the path ahead is blocked, anger, the emotion of Spring, arises.  How do you free the stunted growth of anger? Watch a tree in the wind, the climate of Spring. The tree negotiates, adapts, and returns to center. In the process, the limbs strengthen and roots grow deeper. Also Like a grove of trees mutually supporting one another through their intertwined roots, we do better together. We can let go of our anger by walking through the woods, breathing deeply and contemplating kindness and benevolence, the antidotes to anger.  When we take further action based on kindness and benevolence rather than anger the mind becomes clear and the heart warms.  The acupuncture points ‘Bright and Clear’ and ‘Gate of Hope’ reveal Spring’s gifts and help soothe anger and release frustrated plans.

The ligaments and tendons are the tissues associated with Spring. Like the new green growth of Spring our ligaments and tendons need plenty of hydration to remain flexible and strong.  Also stretching and bending, like a tree in the wind, will further increase flexibility and strength.  You can be creative and stretch your body anywhere: at your desk; stopped at a light in your car; or at home.  Treat yourself to a Massage, Physical Therapy, Pilates, Tai Qi, Qi Gong, or Yoga class. Body movements increase circulation, flexibility, power and strength while calming and focusing the mind.  Enjoy the Spring!