Health Well News

Spring is not just a time to clean and refresh your home, but also a great opportunity to rejuvenate and cleanse your body. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), spring is associated with the Wood element, which refers to growth and nourishment in the human body.

Spring represents a new beginning and a time to refresh the mind and body.

TCM values the liver as one of the most important organs in the body. The main job of the liver is to spread and regulate QI (energy flow) throughout the rest of the body. This is why the liver is one of the organs emphasized for spring. The liver absorbs everything our body takes in and ingests, being the holder and detoxifier of blood that is circulated throughout the body.

Symptoms of an imbalance in the liver can include anger, depression, irritability, nausea, stiff muscles and bruising. Acupuncture and TCM can aid to restore the liver and body back into balance.

There are 14 acupuncture points for the liver that begin at the edge of the big toenail all the way up to just under the rib cage. When the liver is overloaded, toxins can build up and lead to a blockage in the Qi and blood flow throughout the body. Acupuncture can help to release this blockage and restore our bodies natural flow.

Spring is the perfect time to bring more self-awareness to your body and the toxins that are ingested on a daily basis. Paying closer attention to your diet and getting rid of processed foods and chemicals can help to detox your liver and diminish acute problems that may have formed.

Dietary suggestions for spring include eliminating alcohol, saturated fats, coffee, and chemical additives. On the other hand, natural and whole foods such as spinach, sesame seeds, strawberries and quinoa are encouraged and beneficial for the liver. These unrefined foods can improve the quality of our blood, therefore improving and strengthening the liver.

The liver is believed to be closely connected to the mind. Because of this, when your mind is at peace, your liver is able to function properly. Getting enough sleep on a regular basis and taking time to rest your mind can help your liver function at its best.

With the help of acupuncture, take the spring season to rejuvenate your body and mind.

Sources: “Staying Healthy with The Seasons”, by Elson M. Haas, M.D.,  “Body Wisdom: Chinese and Natural Medicine for Self-Healing”, by Jennifer Harper

Spring Body Cleaning Tips

1) Seek Acupuncture

We can’t talk about ways to cleanse the body this spring without mentioning acupuncture. From relieving seasonal allergies to reducing pain and inflammation, the benefits of this Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are endless.

2) Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey

You can make a powerful, all-natural detoxifying beverage by mixing together one tablespoon of unfiltered apple cider vinegar (with the ‘Mother’), one tablespoon of honey, and 12 ounces of water. The vinegar works to stabilize your body’s internal pH level, while the honey works to regulate your blood sugar levels. When combined together, it offers a superb cleansing and detoxifying beverage that’s perfect for the spring season. Even the Greek philosopher Socrates prescribed apple cider vinegar to his patients.

3) Take Care of Your Eyes

Did you know that your eyes are connected to every organ in your body in some manner? With that said, the liver has the strongest connection to the eyes. When your eye health begins to decline, so does your liver. Take care of your eyes by limiting your time in front of electronic displays (e.g. computers and television) and have an eye exam performed by a licensed optometrist at least once every two years.

4) Chlorophyll

Consuming chlorophyll – the pigment responsible for giving all green plants their color – will strengthen your liver. Chlorophyll is known to exhibit antioxidant properties, fighting harmful chemicals within the body known as free radicals. Some excellent sources of chlorophyll include spinach, parsley, garden cress, green beans, green peppers, Brussels sprouts, green peas, asparagus, broccoli, zucchini, cucumbers, green apples, melon, honeydew and kiwi.

5) Get Outdoors

The blooming plant life and warming temperatures offers the perfect opportunity to get outdoors and exercise. Exercise and fresh outdoor air stimulate the body’s energy (Qi), keeping it moving and flowing throughout the body. When Qi becomes stagnant, it increases the risk of disease and illness. Something as simple as a 30-minute walk outside can make a world of difference in your health.

Spring is the time for your body to start anew and rid yourself of harmful toxins that may be affecting your daily life.

Everything from overeating, not resting enough and eating processed and refined foods can be putting your body out of balance.

Spring is the season to focus on your liver and gall bladder and return your body to balance and natural flow. Here are some recipes and suggestions that will cleanse your liver and give your body a reboot, ultimately improving your mood and ailments you may be facing.

Cleansing is an important part of restarting and bringing balance back to your body. This practice can include abstaining from solid foods for a short period of time and focusing on drinking fruits and vegetables or eliminating certain food groups from your diet. Having a liquid-based diet or removing certain foods from your diet can eliminate toxic buildup in your organs and allow for your body to be cleansed.

Master Cleanser

This common cleanse is easy to follow, cheap and has been largely popular in recent years.

The Master Cleanser is also known as the “lemonade diet” and consists of drinking a mixture of water, squeezed lemon, maple syrup and cayenne pepper for ten days.

You are suggested to drink at least six 8-ounce glasses of the mixture throughout the day and whenever you feel hungry, as well as a laxative tea such as peppermint tea at night.

• 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 1-2 tablespoons 100% maple syrup
• 1/10 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 8 ounces of spring water

Detox Diet

To the right is a list of foods that can be added to your diet to help eliminate toxins and help promote a healthy liver.

These natural foods include everything from antioxidants, diuretics and vitamin-rich nutrients. If you are looking for an alternative to a strict cleanse, add these superfoods to your daily diet to help cleanse your liver and improve overall body wellness!

17 Superfoods That Will Detox Your Liver

• Apples
• Asparagus
• Alternative grains: buckwheat, millet and quinoa
• Avocados
• Beetroot
• Brussels sprouts
• Cabbage
• Citrus fruits
• Dandelion root
• Garlic
• Grapefruit
• Green tea
• Olive oil
• Spinach
• Tomatoes
• Turmeric
• Walnuts

Sources: “Staying Healthy with the Seasons” by Elson M. Haas, M.D., http://bit.ly/VjUfiJ

Held annually on April 22nd, the world’s first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970. Today, it’s a massive event orchestrated by the Earth Day Network and observed by more than 192 countries. To learn more about Earth Day and how you can show support for the environment on April 22nd.

Turn Off The Lights
Who says you celebrating Earth Day is hard? While there are plenty of laborious ways to support the environment, something as simple as turning off your lights can make a difference as well. Whether you’re working at the office or lounging around your home, turn off any unused lights. It only takes a split second to flip a switch, but doing so will promote a greener Earth while saving you money on your monthly utility bills in the process.

Plant a Tree
Thousands of classrooms, businesses and families plant trees on Earth Day. It’s a simple way to support the environment in a meaningful and tangible way. According to a report published by NC State University, a single tree can absorb as much as 48 pounds of carbon dioxide – a leading greenhouse gas – per year. Furthermore, trees produce and release fresh oxygen back into the atmosphere.      So while industrial companies are tearing down forests left and right, you can lend a helping hand this Earth Day by planting a tree.

Recycle
We can’t talk about ways to celebrate Earth Day without mentioning recycling. Most people today toss their empty soda cans and bottles into the trash without thinking twice. Unfortunately, this behavior contributes to landfill pollution, filling up Earth’s valuable space with even more trash. Contact a local recycling company in your area to see if they are willing to pick up your aluminum and plastic. Most companies will gladly pick up these materials at no charge to you.

Carpool
The average car produces a whopping 606 pounds of carbon monoxide, 10,000 pounds of carbon dioxide, and 80 pounds of hydrocarbons each year! Carpooling, however, can cut these emissions in half. Assuming every passenger vehicle in the United States carried just one other person, we could save 33 million gallons of gas per day. Talk with your coworkers to see where they live and whether or not they are interested in carpooling to work.

5 Earth Day Facts

1. Earth Day was founded in 1970 by Gaylord Nelson, a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin
2. The first Earth Day led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency
3. In 1990 Earth Day went Global and gave a boost to recycling programs worldwide
4. Earth Day is the largest civic event in the world with over a billion participants every year
5. In 2010, the Earth Day Network of 200,000 people generated 40 million acts of green in a single day

Source: www.earthday.org