This time of year is associated with the liver and gallbladder, the wood element, color green, sour taste, wind, birth, and the sound of shouting. The qi, or energy of elemental wood is initiatory, uprising, and enthusiastic, like spring. Seeds have been quietly resting in the earth during the winter, the time of introspection and replenishment, and gathering the qi it will take to accomplish germination and the subsequent push towards light and warmth. It takes a lot of enthusiasm and faith to push through dark cold earth.

     The liver houses the ethereal soul, which comes in at birth, leaves at death, and survives death. Liver energy opens into the eyes, and contributes to one’s literal as well as metaphoric vision. The ethereal soul influences our capacity to find our direction in life and make decisions. A healthy liver ensures wise and confident decisions and a healthy gallbladder gives the courage to carry them out. If liver yin or blood is insufficient the ethereal soul cannot be rooted and will wander, causing insomnia and possibly mental confusion. Deficient liver blood will cause low self-esteem and boundary issues.
In Chinese medicine, as in Western medicine, the liver has many physiological responsibilities. The liver regulates the volume of blood (sends blood to the muscles during activity, and stores it during rest), nourishes muscles, sinews, eyes, nails and joints, and regulates menstruation. The liver also regulates the flow of qi ensuring proper digestion, even temperament, and a steady flow of energy. Up-and-down energy or mood swings are liver issues. Uprising liver yang can cause hypertension, dizziness, tinnitus, or headaches.

    The liver affects and is easily affected by emotions. When we suppress emotions, liver qi becomes constrained; then depression, frustration or anger can result. The liver can easily be damaged by constrained emotions, then flare up and damage other organs. Stagnant liver qi can invade the gallbladder, stomach or intestines causing various types of indigestion, including gallstones and irritable bowel syndrome, and diminishing the body’s ability to produce healthy blood. Moderate daily exercise is a good way to dispel stagnant liver qi and keep those emotions moving, as is their nature.

     This spring, do your spring-cleaning internally and externally. Take the stagnant qi out of your living space by cleaning out your closets and outbuildings. Clean your house with vinegar and water or citrus products, instead of toxic chemicals. Spring is the best time to do a liver / gall bladder flush. There are several recipes, some more radical than others. Search online for one that suits you. Eat bitter greens, like dandelion greens and watercress. Include lemons, raw vinegar, and cultured vegetables (recipe follows) in your diet.

      Notice the fresh green color of the new grass. Breathe that vibrant green color into your liver. As you exhale, imagine your liver squeezing like a sponge and eliminating all the toxins (physical and emotional) as you say, “Shhh…” (as if you’re quieting a cranky child). Do this in multiples of 3.

      Here’s a recipe for cultured vegetables: Chop vegetables, or put through a food processor: Cabbage, and (optional) celery, carrots, beets, radishes, and broccoli; basically, anything you want. Mix in a large bowl, along with ½ jar of Veggie Delite (brand of fermented vegetables). After the vegetables are cut, don’t touch any metal to them. Use plastic, glass, or wood bowls and utensils. Pack them (using a wooden spoon) into a just-washed gallon or half-gallon jar, and set the jar on the counter (room temperature) for 3 days. Make sure the jar lid is not metal, though new canning jar lids are ok. After 3 days, open the jar. It should smell like propane! If you put your nose closer to the vegetables they will smell good. You can now put the jar into the refrigerator. These fermented vegetables will stay good for over a month.

     Eat some every day to populate your digestive tract with beneficial flora and enzymes. Your digestion will improve, so you will assimilate your food more efficiently. Your immune system will be greatly enhanced, because of improved digestion and also because of the healthy proliferation of beneficial microbes.

      When your supply gets low (3+ days left) make a new batch using some of the old batch. Experiment with different vegetables to discover your favorite combinations. Try adding some ginger, dill, cayenne, tarragon, or sea vegetables. Don’t add salt or lemon during the fermentation process, but try adding some to the portion on your plate.