Spring TCM Tips: Time to Detox, Boost Liver Health and Let Go of Anger

As spring blooms, nature invites us to grow and embrace change. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), spring aligns with the Wood element, which rules the liver. This season offers an opportunity to focus on liver health, release anger and frustration, and detoxify to create a fresh start for body and mind.

Learn more about the interplay between the seasons, elements, organs and emotions in TCM here!

Spring TCM - The Wood Element and the Liver

The dominant element of spring is Wood, according to TCM. We’re not talking “block of wood” here – think trees! This element symbolises growth, renewal and transformation on every level. Likewise, our hardworking liver supports the daily renewal of our body, filtering our blood to ensure that we absorb what we need and discard anything harmful.

From a TCM perspective, the liver also supports our ability to grow and adapt by ensuring the smooth flow of energy throughout the body. However, when the Wood element gets out of balance, the liver energy may become either stagnant or excessive. On a physical level, this can give rise to liver disorders, as well as symptoms like headaches, digestive issues and muscle tension.

Emotionally, the Wood element and the liver are associated with mental clarity, decisiveness and creativity, qualities we can tap into as the rising energy of spring sweeps through our outer and inner worlds. On the flip side, this dynamic energy can also make us more prone to anger, frustration and irritability.

"It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart.” - Rainer Maria Rilke

Anger, Frustration and Liver Health

The link between anger and the liver spans different cultures. Like the Chinese, ancient Greeks and Romans believed that excess bile (produced by the liver) could cause angry or irritable behaviour – a theory that is echoed even today in the English expressions “bilious” and “choleric”.

In spring TCM, anger is seen as a direct reflection of liver health. When the liver’s energy stagnates or spikes, it can lead to heightened emotions such as frustration, irritability and resentment. Likewise, these emotions can cause blockages in the liver, disrupting its function and leading to fatigue and digestive disturbances.

Conversely, healthy and balanced liver qi is associated with the emotions of generosity and kindness, as well as physical vitality and strength. Together with its companion organ and meridian, the gallbladder, the liver also supports our ability to effectively plan and make decisions, according to TCM theory.

Spring is the perfect time to achieve this healthy balance, boosting our liver health and releasing any pent-up anger and frustration. Read on for our top tips for spring wellbeing, from qigong and acupressure to diet and lifestyle hacks.

Spring Qigong for Letting Go of Physical and Mental Tensions. Detox and Boost Your Liver's Health.

Qigong is a great way to gently release emotions, improve energy flow in the liver and restore balance. Spring qigong focuses especially on stretches and strengthening the tendons to enhance flexibility and resilience, natural qualities associated with the seasonal energy of the Wood element. Try it – it only takes 11 minutes!

SPRING SOUND IN TCM

- SHHHHHH...

New to self-acupressure? Check out our guide for tips on how to get started!

Acupressure for Liver Health, Releasing Anger and Restoring Harmony

By stimulating key points along the liver and gallbladder meridians, we can support detoxification, clear emotional blockages and restore balance. Here are a few useful points to try this spring.

*********

LIVER MERIDIAN

Moving Between or Xing jian – LV2

Great Surge or Tai chong - LV3

These two power points on the liver meridian are located in the webbing between your first and second toes. LV2 is just below the joining point where the two toes meet, while LV3 is about two finger widths further up, towards the spot where the two toe bones come together.

Stimulating these two points has a soothing effect, harmonising the flow of liver qi and clearing stagnation. Both are used for alleviating anger, frustration and stress, calming the mind and promoting emotional clarity.

You can massage them together by rubbing your thumb or finger up and down between them, or spend a little longer pressing firmly on the individual points – see what feels good!

GALLBLADDER MERIDIAN

Wind Pool or Feng chi – GB20

Slide your thumbs along the base of your skull until you come to the edge of the neck muscles on either side of the spine. GB20 is there in the depression where the muscles meet the bone.

This is a great point for releasing tension and relieving headaches, neck pain, fatigue and eye blurriness – all common symptoms of liver qi imbalances.

GALLBLADDER MERIDIAN

Yang Mound Spring or Yang ling quan

Try this DIY Acupressure Massage Therapy for Stress and Anxiety, see our DIY Acupressure Massage for a Stress and Anxiety guide!

More Spring Wellness Tips: Time to Detox and Renew!

Spring is the perfect time to detox and renew, cleansing the body and mind to create space for positive transformation. The liver plays a central role in detoxification, and adopting healthy practices like fasting, herbal teas and light, fresh foods can support liver function and clear emotional congestion.

1. Seasonal Diet for Liver Support Spring’s dietary focus is on foods that support the liver’s detoxification process and promote energy flow. Include plenty of leafy greens, like spinach and kale, as well as sprouts, beetroot and carrots. TCM also encourages the use of sour foods, such as lemons, limes and vinegar, to help stimulate the liver and improve digestion.

2. Hydration and Herbal Teas Hydrating with plenty of room-temperature or warm water is key to supporting liver health. Herbal teas like dandelion root, peppermint and milk thistle are excellent choices to assist the liver in its natural detoxification process.

3. Breathing Exercises for Cleansing and Clarity Did you know you can use your breath to detox? Try a few “purging breaths”: Inhale slowly through the nose, allowing the abdomen to expand fully, and then exhale through your mouth, releasing tension. This practice clears stale energy and emotions from the body, leaving us feeling relaxed and refreshed.

4. Outdoor Activities to Energize the LiverTake full advantage of the longer days by getting outside and enjoying nature. Walking, hiking or other outdoor activities are wonderful ways to connect with the seasonal energy and support liver function. Nature’s green spaces are especially restorative, so spend time in parks, gardens or forests.

5. Spring Cleaning

Cleaning and decluttering our external space is a great support for our inner body-mind detox at this time of year! Check out some practical spring cleaning tips here.

6. Let Go!

Spring is the time for emotional renewal. Take time to reflect on any unresolved anger or frustration, and practice letting go of these emotions. Engage in journaling, meditation, or even expressive activities like dancing or painting to process and release negative feelings.

Wishing you a joyful and vibrant spring season!

Stay tuned for the last in this series of seasonal blogs exploring the connections between the seasons, organs, emotions and elements – summer is just around the corner!

Do follow us on Social Media and tell us if these have helped you.

Feeling loved helps us to keep our energy levels up. :)

SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS

the benefits of