Spring and Traditional Chinese Medicine

Andrew Pacholyk MS L.Ac

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, we have a healing methodology called the 5 Phases (Elements). In the Spring the weather is starting to warm up by the change in the sun's position. The botanical world is making its renewal known through growth and upheaval. The energy of the season is rising upward and outward and expressing itself with the freshness of a new start. This new growth is what is represented by the element of Wood.

The Spring is the time when the climate is represented by Wind. Wind Cold imbalances are those in which wind and cold play a role in disease. The Liver and Gall Bladder systems are the most vulnerable at this time. These imbalances are often expressed as hepatitis and cases of pink eye which, in TCM stems back to imbalances in the Liver and Gallbladder systems. The Liver governs the workings of the sinews and muscles and imbalances are more apparent at this time of year. The sound associated with Spring is shouting, while the emotion most prevalent tends to be anger. By being prepared with this knowledge, it allows us to be in tune with our own body systems and shows how our health can be influenced by nature.

Strengthening the immune system should be a part of any seasonal ritual! Any tonic formula that regulates Qi, nourishes the eyes and tendons and tonifies the liver is appropriate. Remember, the best form of medicine, is preventative.

The Liver and Gallbladder

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, The liver and gallbladder are associated with Spring. They belong to the element of Wood. The Liver "system" is the "farmer who cultivates". It stores blood, governs and regulates the blood, organizes the "free flow" of Qi energy to promote circulation which cultivates our emotions, soothes digestion, regulates menstruation and bile secretion. The liver changes harmful toxins into substances, which can be eliminated safely by the colon or kidneys. The liver is our master cleansing organ and the gall bladder is its mate. Enjoy a tall glass of water with a 1/2 lemon squeezed into it.

The Gallbladder system in Chinese Medicine is associated stores and excretes bile (as in Western medicine). The Gallbladder governs decision making and gives the courage and capacity to make decisions. Like the Liver, the Gallbladder controls the sinews by encouraging the Qi to the fascia. The Gallbladder also has an effect on our dreams. It is said that the Gallbladder effects the quality and length of sleep, if it is deficient, a person will wake very early and not be able to return to sleep. The Gallbladder's close relationship to the Liver is not only anatomical but they both play an essential role in the smooth flow of Qi throughout the body. In order to plan a good life (which is a function of the Liver), one needs good decision making skills (which is a function of the Gallbladder).

The Liver is the major organ treated in Chinese Medicine. It is the organ that rules the free flow of Qi. The primary symptoms of Liver Qi Stagnation include frequent sighing; inpatients, anger and temper outbreaks, a sensation of fullness or congestion in the chest, intercostal, or subcostal regions. Secondary symptoms include obstructed bowel movements; dry and distended eyes; feeling of something being stuck in the throat; self-doubts and crying; pain (especially intercostal and abdominal) that is characterized by moving, pulling, or penetrating sensations; in females; premenstrual breast distention; menstrual cramping and irregular menstruation.


The Wood Element

The element, Wood is associated with the Spring season and with wind.

The element is associated with the liver and the gallbladder, which regulates the smooth flow of Qi energy throughout the body and has a strong relationship with the reproductive organ system and the ability to nourish the body with blood.

Wood represents our mental activity such as intellect and the ability to reason, memory, thoughts, knowledge and comprehension. It also rules new beginnings, friendship, clarity, and positive expression. The Wood personality is very good at making decisions and carrying them through.

The Wood element is associated with feng shui and Chinese medicine. Emotionally, wood allows you to be adaptable to life. It is the creativeness of the wood element that gets expressed when we are at our most artistic. Spring is the new life energy of growth, renewal and the life force sprouting upward and outward. Wood allows you to make a plan and stay true to that plan. It also allows you to be flexible, like a willow and adapt to the circumstances that intercept your plans and expectations.

Psychologically, wood is the element that represents our growth. Too much wood in the environment can produce excess growth, as in when a relationship moves too quickly or a business starts growing too fast without a strong foundation. Not enough wood in the environment and the results is expressed as stagnation or barrenness. Wood represents our creative urge to achieve, which can turn to anger, when frustrated. The wood element represents all the activities of the body that are self regulating and/or function without conscious thought such as heart beat, digestion, respiration and metabolism.

Learn how to heal with the seasons and how Traditional Chinese Medicine will help you find remedies and bring your body back into balance!


Andrew Pacholyk MS L.Ac
Purveyors of Healthy Qi