March Self-Healing Tip

The Chinese word for the 5 elements is “wu xing.”  This translates (more or less) into “5 movements,” which is how the seasons are viewed in Chinese medicine – not as things, but as the movement of energy.  March brings the movement of Water into Wood, Winter into Spring.  For our bodies, we experience the power of Water nourishing and infusing Wood.  The energy that Water gives to Wood allows for sprouts to emerge fresh and new from branches, and for new leaves to emerge from the inner growth and energetic storage that occurs during Winter.  We need to honor this within the body by balancing the Water and Wood energies, and assisting in the infusion of Water into Wood.

Self-Acupressure for the transition into Spring - 
Liver 8, Qu Quan, Spring at the Bend, is the Water point on the Yin Wood meridian.  Qu Quan treats lower abdominal pain, retention of urine, insomnia, depression, impatience, irritability, and pain in the knee and thigh.  It helps to nourish the Liver, and balance and strengthen the Wood element.  It is an excellent point for knee pain relieving knee pain.

Liver 8 is located along the inside of the knee.  To locate, bend the knee and find where the knee crease ends on the inside of the knee.  Just an inch above this point is Liver 8, in a depression tucked right up next to the bone there.  It should feel tender on palpation.  Massage this point in the evenings and at night before bed on both legs for a few minutes.

Chinese Nutrition for moving from Water to Wood:
As we emerge from the quiet of Winter into the birth of Spring, it is important to balance nourishment and movement.  Nutritionally, it is a good time to start adding more cleansing and purifying elements to the diet, but we want to make sure to continue to support the body properly.

Roasted Dandelion Root tea is an excellent way to support the liver and gallbladder in this transition.  From a nourishment perspective, this tea contains substantial levels of vitamins A, C, D, and B complex.  It also contains iron, magnesium, zinc, potassium, manganese, copper, choline, calcium, boron, and silicon.  At the same time, Dandelion Root tea also helps stimulate the liver and gallbladder, and to clear heat from the organs and their associated areas, especially the breasts and the eyes.

Try taking roasted dandelion root tea in the mornings for a regenerative springtime alternative to coffee.  Enjoy it’s deep rich flavor plain or with almond milk and raw honey.