Springtime Health in Chinese Medicine: Clues from the Liver

Did you know Chinese medicine is the oldest literate medicine in the world? For more than 2,000 years, doctors have recorded their wisdom in writing and passed it to the next generation. One of the oldest medical texts, the Yellow Emperor’s Canon of Internal Medicine, includes a chapter called “On Preserving Health in Accordance with the Four Seasons.”

That wisdom is still useful today—and as a Pattern Detective, I love using it to help patients understand what their bodies are telling them. Each season brings its own patterns, and in spring, all the clues point to the Liver.

The Energy of Spring

After winter’s deep rest, spring brings growth, movement, and renewal. We see it in budding trees and sprouting plants—and we feel it in our bodies too. When our energy flows freely, spring feels light and hopeful. But if something is blocked, spring can stir up tension, irritability, or fatigue.

The Liver in Chinese Medicine

In Chinese medicine, spring belongs to the Liver system. The Liver stores blood and makes sure energy flows smoothly throughout the body.

When the Liver is balanced, we feel flexible and free. When it’s not, symptoms appear. As a Pattern Detective, these are the clues I often see:

• Irritability, anger, or depression

• Digestive discomfort like bloating or IBS

• Menstrual cramps or irregular cycles

• Tight shoulders or a stiff neck

• Headaches or eye strain

• Fatigue or a feeling of being “stuck”

How to Support Your Liver This Spring

The good news is that simple lifestyle shifts can help your Liver thrive. Here are a few ways to get started:

• Eat with the season: Add cooked spring greens like spinach or dandelion leaves. Include small amounts of sour flavors, like lemon or apple cider vinegar.

• Move your body: Walking, stretching, or dancing helps energy flow. Fresh air makes it even better.

• Align with nature: Try rising earlier as the days lengthen.

• Acupressure: Massage the point between your big toe and second toe (called Liver 3) to release tension.

• Acupuncture: A seasonal tune-up smooths energy flow and sets the stage for long-term wellness.

• Herbal support: Customized Chinese herbal formulas can address your unique pattern and symptoms.

Become a Health Detective

Your body is always giving you clues. That tight neck, that mood swing, that bloated stomach—they’re not random. They’re signals pointing to a bigger pattern.

By noticing these signs and making small seasonal shifts, you can move through spring with more energy, balance, and ease. And if you’d like a detective’s help uncovering your body’s story, I’d love to see you for a spring tune-up.

For a deeper dive into this:

Spring time health and Chinese Medicine

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