WELCOME SPRING: The Wood Element
Chinese Medicine is based on the Taoist belief that human beings are a microcosm of the natural world,
thus subject to the natural laws which govern the Universe. To live in opposition to these laws causes dis-ease within the body, mind and spirit. If we humans are a microcosm of our environment, then all we need do is observe what is going on around us to get clues as how we should live in accordance with the natural order of things.
The one constant we can all count on is change. To try and live counter to this causes stagnation, stagnation causes dis-ease or illness in western medical terms. How many of us struggle with change? Let’s take the change of seasons as an example. We are entering the most active (Yang) time of year. If you take some time to look out your window you will observe nature beginning to stir from her winter slumber; the birds and other animals are more active, there are buds on some of the trees, there is a different smell to the air. You may be feeling a bit irritable. In the coming weeks you will notice people seem to be honking their horns more than usual. This frustration is the energy of spring wanting to burst forth. You may feel more wakeful. These are all natural feelings for this time of year.
I have noticed that I am staying up later in the evening, I have more desire to be outside and with friends. I’ve begun planning the garden for this year. Sunday was a beautiful day. My friend Sara and I went for a hike at a local mountain. There were a dozen cars parked and we passed many people out hiking and enjoying the beautiful day. The ancient Chinese text the Nei Jing Su Wen states:
Go to rest at night and rise early.
Move through the courtyard with leisurely strides.
Dishevel the hair and relax the physical appearance,
Thereby cause the mind to orient itself on life.
(Unschuld & Tessenow , 2011)
Without even consciously knowing it, these people were following the law of spring!
Spring is the season of rebirth and rapid growth. The energy of wood is up and out, it is forceful. Take
for instance the crocus. One day there is nothing in the garden then one morning there is a shoot standing upright and green and by that afternoon there is a bud and the next morning voila! The crocus is in full bloom! Imagine the energy it takes to burst forth from that small bulb buried in the dark, cold, ground all winter long! That same energy is required of us. If you are feeling sluggish and having difficulty making this energetic change it may mean that you did not conserve your energy in the fall and winter. Winter is for resting, eating warm nourishing foods, going to bed early, and gentle exercise such as yoga. This is what is meant by living in harmony with nature.
According to Chinese Medicine there are 5 elements which govern the laws of nature. Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. These elements are in constant movement, generating, supporting and controlling each other. These elements also live within us; they are not static elements rather phases that govern every aspect of our life.
Each element has 4 primary resonances, Color, Sound, Odor, Emotion, and many secondary ones such as Season, Taste, Stage of Development, Body part or Orifice and Tissues and body parts.
Since we are on the cusp of a new season, I thought it would be a good time to look at the element Wood.
The Wood Element is associated with the Season of Spring. When I think of wood I think of a tree fully rooted in the ground with its limbs spread wide. It is strong
yet flexible bending and swaying with the wind. Imagine a young oak tree sprouting from that hard acorn shell again, buried in the cold dark soil; this time it not only has to push through the shell then the earth now there is a sidewalk in its way! What does it do? It bends and twists ever searching for the soft spot. The young sapling has a vision of becoming a tall oak tree and its plan is to make that happen. Imagine the frustration this young tree might feel as it encounters one obstacle after another! It uses this power to find its way and finally push through the crack in the sidewalk to emerge into the sunlight and take its place in the world! When you are faced with obstacles do you become angry and ridged? Do you hold in your anger and over flexible in order to keep the peace?
The Liver and the Gallbladder are the organs associated with the Wood Element. The Liver is responsible for the smooth flow of Qi, Blood and Emotions throughout the body/mind/spirit. The Liver also stores the blood and controls the volume and smooth flow of blood in the blood vessels. The Liver is in charge of vision, not only physically but energetically as well. Think of goals, future plans etc. The Liver’s “sister” organ is the Gallbladder. The Gallbladder stores bile and helps with digestion, it receives the excesses from the Liver and “decides” what to do with them and where to send them. Again this is not only on the physical level, this happens on an emotional and spirit level as well. Think of someone who eats lots of fatty, greasy foods, the liver does its best to detox and clean the blood and then sends left overs to the gallbladder to take care of. If there is too much and the gallbladder can’t break it down, the result may be gallstones. On an emotional and spirit level this is seen as someone who is constantly angry or represses his/her anger. The energy needs to go somewhere. The Liver sends it to the Gallbladder and if it can’t decide what to do or, there is too much, the body may manifest migraine headaches, depression and yes, even gallstones!
The sense organ associated with the Wood Element are the eyes. Blurry vision, floaters, red or itchy eyes may be your body sending you signals that your Liver is in need of tending.
Tendons and Ligaments are the tissues governed by the Liver. Tight tendons and ligaments as well as loose ones are a sign that your Liver is in need of balancing. Chinese Medicine says that Tendons are the source of strength in the body, not muscles. There is an old saying, “Be like the cat that is strong, agile and flexible, not like the cow that has huge muscles but very little real strength.”
Sour is the taste associated with Wood. If you are craving sour foods, your liver may need some balancing. Incorporating high quality vinegars, dark leafy greens and sweet and sour foods into your diet will give your Liver the boost it needs.
Anger is the emotion associated with the Wood Element. If you have trouble going with the flow, are irritable, are easy to anger and/or have trouble unwinding from the day’s activity, you are experiencing a dis harmony in the Wood Element. Anger is a natural emotion; the problem arises when we get stuck in this emotion (or any emotion for that matter) or we repress it. Experiencing these emotions chronically or excessively can cause severe imbalances in the body, mind, and spirit resulting in depression, migraine headaches, difficulty making decisions, apathy, passive aggressive behavior, disorganized, over organized, well, you get the picture……….
Here are a few ways you can help balance you Wood Element Especially during Spring:
Reduce your stress level with moderate exercise like a long walk on your favorite trail, deep breathing exercises, yoga, tai chi, meditation and prayer. Watch a funny movie! You can’t be angry when you are laughing! Laughter moves qi!
Use alcohol in moderation. The Liver is in charge of metabolizing alcohol and detoxifying the body, using alcohol in moderation will go a long way to giving your liver the break it needs.
Incorporate dark green leafy vegetables into your diet.
Get Acupuncture! Liver Qi Stagnation is a common occurrence in today’s world. If you would like some support in moving and balancing your Liver Qi please don’t hesitate to call, text or send me an email.
I hope this post has given you a little insight into what might be going on for you especially this time of year!
