Should I detox in the Spring?
If we spend some time outside we notice a few things. Birds chirping, chasing after one another, rabbits munching on tender greens, buds exploding from the tips of seemingly dead wood… The Spring is a time of vibrant yet delicate energy. There is an aliveness and a softness. Not yet the abundance of Summer, and certainly an awakening from the sleep of winter.
Humans too, have seasonal flow.
According to ancient Chinese wisdom, spring is associated with the liver. Now. This is not the same liver we think of as westerners, but there are many overlaps. To encourage the natural flow of Spring in our own bodies there are five simple strategies that are safe for everyone to play with.
CONTRAST HYDRO
This is a technique that has so many applications it should win an award. Drawn from the rich history of our Naturopathic Elders, this therapeutic technique uses water to move blood and lymph. Take a nice hot shower to your tolerance and notice how your skin turns pink. Your vessels have dilated and will be engorged with blood. Oxygen and waste products are exchanged. Immune cells shuttled to and fro. Switch to cold water. As cold as you can tolerate. Start by showering your feet and work up towards the pelvis. Same idea with arms: start at the hands and move to the shoulders. Next shower your armpits, pelvis, abdomen and chest. Turn around and shower your back. Include the head and back of the neck. Don’t forget about the soles of the feet. This should all take about a minute. You will feel invigorated. Your vessels will have constricted and a system wide “pump” rippled through your cardiovascular system. Waste products will be pumped into detoxification organs more efficiently and rich building blocks will have been distributed with more ease. Consider doing this every time you have a shower.
MOVEMENT
The Spring yearns for flow and flexibility. This is the time to move your blood, muscles and joints with exercise. Choose to move because it feels so damn good to do so. Forget about fitness, figures and beach season. Try moving purely for the sake of moving. Choose pain-free movement and be gentle on your joints. Vigorous movement that gets your breath full and heavy encourages the movement of blood, nutrients and wastes just as contrast hydrotherapy does. Stagnation is the opposite of flow. When we are stagnated we feel stuck. Movement can be one of the easiest ways to un-stick after a slow and introspective winter.
BOUNDARY
The boundary: this is where “I” end and “you” begins… This is an especially important time to consider how we relate to our environment. This includes people, events, and even how we relate to ourselves. Think of a boundary as bubble, always present & surrounding you, but not a wall. We all choose what to take in, and what to say no to. Practice saying “Yes!” and “No.” in alignment with your most authentic needs. How does your environment change when you begin to experiment with these fundamental concepts?
LIVER FOODS
We combine East and West here. Below is a list of flavours and foods to favour this time of year. Be sure to give your liver and gallbladder some attention this season. This is most easily accessed by being mindful of what you are putting into your body with food and through your environment. Also just noticing and being thankful for these organs goes a long way. When was the last time you acknowledged your liver and gallbladder?
Sour
Lemon
Apple Cidre Vinegar
Rice Wine Vinegar
Pickles
Fermented foods
Vitamin C rich (rose hip, sea buckthorn berries, citrus, amla berry, etc.)
Sulphur Rich
Garlic
Onion
Cauliflower
Broccoli
Mustard greens
Arugula
Cress
Brussels sprouts
Whey protein
Detoxifying
Turmeric
Artichoke
Beets
Bitter greens (dandelion, kale, chicory, radicchio, endive, etc)
Sprouts
Sea weeds (dulse, nori, wakame, etc)
Frozen berries (redox regulators, aka “antioxidants”)
DIRECTION
This is a great time to set goals. Think of the blossoming and expansion seen in nature this time of year. Spring points to upcoming yields. Remember to embrace the wood element, like bamboo. Reach for your goals (the sun), stay rooted in your values (strong roots) and be flexible with changes that come your way (flexibility of branches). In Traditional Chinese theory, the liver is responsible for our internal plan and direction while the gallbladder is responsible for decision making. If you are struggling with internal guidance or making decisions, these spring renewal strategies are perfect for you.
The disclaimer… The amazing thing about humans is that we all have incomparably unique health profiles and needs. The health-related information contained in this article is intended to be general in nature and should not be used prescriptively or a as a substitute for a visit with a naturopathic doctor. This recipe is intended to offer general information to individuals. If you have questions about how these strategies could be used in adjunct to your current heath regime, book and appointment or consult a licensed naturopathic doctor for individualized care.