In spring, everything is growing – everybody knows this. As a result, the law of nature is: “Sow and grow in spring, grow in summer, harvest in autumn, store and hibernate in winter”. If we don’t follow these laws – e.g. if you don’t store Energy in winter – you won’t have enough energy to grow in spring.
Earlier this week a client called me to have acupuncture urgently because she had facial paralysis. She told me she has been exhausted for a long time – from work, looking after children, and breastfeeding. She already predicted herself that she would fall apart. That is why when the spring wind came; it “knocked her over”.
Some articles say that about 53% of facial paralysis patients, before they become sick, they catch the headwind, have cold water stimulation. The other 47% are exhausted or have a virus /infection.
What is growing energy?
Growing energy is part of human vital (Yang) energy. It helps people to grow, metabolise and recover. The viruses, germs and some of the chronic problems can also “grow” which can be triggered in spring. To be able to fight these “growing” we have to have stronger energy.
Why do we nourish growing energy?
Spring in nature has growing energy. Growing energy is not only for children and young people to worry about – adults and seniors also need to grow their energy because our cells are dying, replenishing and growing every day. Every day we have to metabolise. As humans, everybody needs to nourish the ability and state of growing energy. Especially Springtime is the season for this.
How do we nourish growing energy?
Lifestyle:
- Get up with the sun. Energy from the sunrise helps people’s growing energy (Yang energy)
- Avoid wind and keep warm. Spring wind blows away the cold winter energy and the weather changes very often and dramatically. So avoid wind and keep warm to help the growing energy and prevent disease.
- Drink a lot of water (preferably warm water).
- Avoid being angry. Control your emotions and be aware of your mood. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the liver connects to spring, and it is one of the important organs to controls anger and moods.
- Eat more green, yellow and “shoot” vegetables (e.g. bean shoots) and less red meat ,spicy food and alcohol.
- Exercise.
What can we do?
- Comb your hair often – promotes micro circulation.
- Bathe your feet in warm water – promotes micro circulation.
- Breathe deeply.
- Move your bowels daily.
- Nourish the liver.
Tips:
- Drink Chrysanthemum tea – to help nourish the liver and clear the eyes.
- Eat more spinach and chicken liver – to help nourish your liver.
- Eat kiwi fruits – to help encourage daily bowel movements.
- Keep your head warm and away from draft (especially seniors) to help prevent stroke and headache.
- Breathe deeply. Breathe in and out from the stomach to massage your organs 2-3 times per day. (about 20 times each)
- Eat sesame seeds to help liver energy.
Health in spring will help you to have health in summer.
Traditional Qi’s two concepts are prevention and wisdom.
Written by Angela Zhu, Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner, Qi Gong & Tai Chi instructor. Copyright 2013
