In Traditional Chinese Medicine, every organ/meridian system has a relationship with a color and a season.  The Liver Meridian (also called the Wood meridian) is paired with the color green and the season of Spring.  During springtime, the grass is coming alive and things are blooming so we see an abundance of green.  April is a great time to focus on adding cleansing foods into your diet to help your Liver work better.  When the Liver works better, we feel less stressed and irritable, we lose excess weight, sleep better, and aren’t bothered by headaches or PMS.  Try incorporating more of these yummy foods this spring to help improve your mood and well being.

According to Chinese Medicine, the natural world is made up of five indispensible materials for the maintenance of life and production. The “Five Elements” refer to the five categories in the natural world, namely, wood, fire, earth, metal and water. Although these five materials have different characteristics they depend on each other and are inseparable- “Food relies on water and fire. Production relies on metal and wood. Earth gives birth to everything. They are used by the people.”

The character of Wood is to grow and flourish. In Chinese medicine, the season of Spring is associated with the Wood Element. Wood exemplifies the energy of growth, change and pushing through obstacles. It represents a very active energy that allows for movement and progress, both internally and externally. When it is restrained, it contributes to frustration, anger and stress. Like the wood element, anger can make us hard and difficult to bend- similar to a tree that snaps in the wind instead of swaying gracefully. So what is the takeaway? Flexibility and ease of movement are key! Plant your roots deeply but remain flexible rather than rigid so you do not snap. Use the new energy of spring to get moving on new projects, take action and make changes.

The early signs of Spring are starting to emerge…the crocus are peaking their heads above the ground and the daffodils look like they are ready to come full bloom any day now. Our days are gradually getting warmer and now that the sun will stay out longer we can only hope that winter is finally behind us! While the best thing about spring may be open to debate, most people will agree that the major negative that comes with spring is Seasonal Allergies. As we celebrate the warmer weather and outdoor activities, many will start to suffer with itchy eyes, sneezing, runny noses, headaches and fatigue.

Prescriptions and over-the-counter medications may provide temporary relief, but none help overall health and prevention of allergies. While drugs may help to put the symptoms at bay, many tend to come with a host of other side effects. But the good news for allergy sufferers is there are natural remedies that can help. Acupuncture can not only resolve the symptoms of allergies but also help the body come into balance by treating the underlying condition causing your allergies and thus improving overall health.

Allergies are a sign of imbalance in the immune system. Acupuncture effects every major system of the body including the circulatory, cardiac, endocrine, genitourinary and the immune system. The goal of acupuncture is to balance the body and bring it back to homeostasis. Balancing and strengthening the body can be the best thing to decrease and even rid oneself of seasonal allergies altogether.

In addition to acupuncture, other natural tips include:

• Eat local, seasonal foods- this keeps us in balance with the nature around us
• Eat more raw foods, especially during warmer months
• Keep windows closed when driving to avoid allergens
• Neti Pot- can be picked up at your local drugstore or grocery store. A little douse of saltwater can rinse away those prickly pollen grains and help treat allergies and other forms of sinus congestion.
• Omega-3s help fight inflammation and can be found in cold-water fish, walnuts and flaxseed oil, as well as grass- fed meat and eggs.

Enjoy the warmer temperatures and outdoor activities but remember you don’t have to suffer this season with allergies. Acupuncture is a great natural solution and the effects are long lasting. Happy Spring!