Many of us clearly notice when spring is approaching. We might see it in nature – but also feel it within ourselves.
Perhaps you notice a more intense and slightly explosive energy during the spring months. Irritation. A short temper. A need to say no. Signs that we are moving out of winter's heavy hibernation and into a more outgoing, active spring energy.
It is in spring that the seed of new beginnings starts to sprout. Therefore, use this time to feel what wants to grow in your life.
GALLBLADDER AND LIVER
The liver is one of the body's most important detoxification organs. It breaks down alcohol, medicine, and waste products and, together with the kidneys, filters the blood. Additionally, it produces bile, which is necessary for fat breakdown. The gallbladder collects and releases bile into the duodenum and regulates its secretion in sync with meals.
One can live without a gallbladder, but it can cause challenges with fat digestion, as bile is instead secreted directly from the liver to the digestive system.
I have often experienced that people who have had their gallbladder removed clearly feel the area when working with the gallbladder meridian. My answer to whether it makes sense to work with the meridian pathway is always: Yes, of course. Exercises that strengthen and balance the gallbladder meridian can support digestion.
GALLBLADDER, LIVER, WOOD ELEMENT, AND CHINESE MEDICINE
In traditional Chinese medicine, the gallbladder and liver form an organ pair, as they together support digestion and the body's natural detoxification.
The Gallbladder is the Yang organ.
Energy is highest: 11 PM - 1 AM. Sleep and let the body regenerate.
The Liver is the Yin organ.
Energy is highest: 1 AM - 3 AM. Time for deep sleep and dreams.
You can read more about Chinese medicine and the organ clock in my book "The 5 Seasons' Energy", which you can buy in my webshop HERE.
Spring is linked to the gallbladder and liver, and thus to the wood element. The energy of spring is constructive, breakthrough, and outward-directed. Something may be sprouting within us, something wants to break through, something in us desires change.
After winter's more introspective and quiet energy, the energy in spring shifts to a more powerful and action-oriented energy. There is more force. More direction. Perhaps also more impatience.
The gallbladder-liver energy can manifest as dissatisfaction, irritation, frustration, or anger – but it can also manifest as initiative and courage. It is the same energy. The question is how we choose to use it.
Wood nourishes fire. This means that the energy we gather in spring becomes fuel for summer's passion and joy. Perhaps you can use spring to feel where you need change – and what it will take. Use the energy constructively to create the changes you desire for yourself, rather than destructively.
SYMPTOMS OF IMBALANCE IN GALLBLADDER AND LIVER ACCORDING TO TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE
ANGER, IRRITATION, AND BITTERNESS
Perhaps you're getting a little annoyed just by reading the heading, but hold on a little longer. Irritation, frustration, and anger are emotions we all know.
Irritation and frustration about something or someone can develop into bitterness, anger, and perhaps even hatred in the end. Or rather, nourish the hatred, which is linked to our fire element, belonging to summer.
Unfortunately, anger has been deemed wrong in our society. How often have you heard someone say:
"You mustn't be angry" or "Take a breath!"
I don't know about you, but those two sentences actually make me a bit agitated. They certainly don't alleviate anger or provide space to investigate the cause of anger. Because that's precisely the point: all emotions have a function. All emotions have a purpose. Emotions all want to help you. It's an internal communication that isn't always easy to decipher and understand, nor is it always appropriate, but nonetheless it's important if we are to connect with ourselves and listen inwards. Anger is a clear sign that something is wrong. Something feels wrong, so we might react with anger. A boundary might have been crossed, something feels unjust or incorrect, one might have been misunderstood, or something else entirely. So instead of feeling embarrassed and wrong and suppressing the anger, look at it. Investigate it and try to find the cause of the anger.
Incidentally, I'll add that if I tell you NOT to think of a red balloon, you will probably do so. When we try to force something in body, mind, or emotions, we meet resistance. Why? Because the mind does not want to be controlled. Emotions do not want to be suppressed and controlled. The body does not want to be forced. So if someone tells you not to be angry, there's a strong likelihood that the anger will intensify instead.
Instead, let's welcome anger, irritation, bitterness, dissatisfaction, and impatience! And then dive curiously into it and investigate what it wants to tell us.
SUPPRESSION OF ANGER
Some of us explode easily, while others hold back their anger. Hold it back or suppress it. Just as it's not good for us to explode, it's also not healthy to smolder and hide or suppress anger. To keep it in and perhaps even let it build up until one can't take it anymore and then just explodes. We can easily swing from one extreme to another when we don't handle anger. Similarly, repeatedly sharing anger with others can also help to build it up even more, like adding more fuel to the fire. Reinforce it. So there is a fine balance between expressing one's truth and complaining. The most important thing is that we become aware of the anger. Study it and take responsibility for it, so we can perhaps learn to tame it and prevent it from getting out of hand. Become aware of anger so we can use it constructively.
COMPLAINING BUILDS UP ANGER
Now I'm going to say something that might annoy you: As Danes, we are experts at complaining and criticism. I'm generalizing here, of course, but from a very young age, we are taught in school to be critical and to question everything. We fault-find, improve, and optimize. But we must be careful that this critical mindset doesn't develop into general dissatisfaction and perhaps end up as complaining.
It can be extremely toxic to go around complaining to others instead of confronting the person you are angry with – or seeking another solution to your situation. It is toxic for relationships – and for yourself, as you reinforce your anger. Complaining is and remains toxic.
Dissatisfaction is okay. It's alright to be dissatisfied – in fact, dissatisfaction (the wood) nourishes change (the fire) – but it's important that you handle your dissatisfaction by talking to the person you are angry with and see if the situation can be resolved. If we cannot change something that feels "wrong" to us, and we cannot accept it, we must move away from it.
Remember, what you nourish grows.
FUEL FOR CHANGE
Everything can be used. Everything has a function, and everything has a purpose. And yet there is no goal – only a balance and exchange between everything. The energy associated with spring is an important constructive and powerful energy that can be used to create the change we will inevitably encounter in life.
In Chinese medicine, the elements nourish each other. Wood nourishes fire. Our wood element is therefore important for us to be able to make the changes we desire. For us to be able to act. And especially for us to dare to act.
And here we come to the crux of the matter: that we find the courage within ourselves to make the changes we desire for ourselves. Anger and frustration are fantastic at triggering courage. You already have the courage within you to do anything. The courage just needs to be unleashed. In a constructive and loving way. In love for yourself.
Perhaps you can think about working on building up energy this spring. Gather fuel for the fire by perhaps feeling into where it is you want change.
Remember, by the way, that wood not only nourishes fire; together they also create nutrient-rich ash for the earth, so that new things can sprout and grow strong.
BOUNDARIES
Ahimsa, which stems from Vedic philosophy, is about consciously seeking not to cause harm. One can harm physically, but also mentally, verbally, and emotionally. It is unavoidable not to cause harm in life, but the difference between conscious and unconscious harm is great. It's about the intention behind it.
Our greatest responsibility in life is to take care of ourselves. You are the most important person in your life. Your most important task is to protect yourself, and this is where boundaries come in. To prevent your boundaries from being crossed.
Setting boundaries is rarely fun. For many, it can even be something one avoids to prevent conflicts and problems. But setting boundaries is necessary in life. There is a difference between tolerance and conflict avoidance.
It's about clearly showing where you stand. To show yourself by showing your boundaries.
At the same time, it is also important that we show our boundaries in a non-harmful way. That we don't bite off other people's heads when we try to show our boundaries.
STAND STRONG IN YOURSELF
Now that we have looked more closely at boundaries and expressing our own inner truth, focusing on self-worth can be a good next step.
Your relationship with yourself is your most important relationship, and the love you radiate to yourself will positively affect others.
It is important to note that there is a difference here between self-confidence and self-worth. Self-worth is of a more stable character than self-confidence, and as we build it up, we stand stronger within ourselves – out of a love for ourselves.
The stronger we stand in ourselves and by ourselves, the easier others will also respect the energy we bring and the boundaries we need.
SEASONAL ADVICE FOR SPRING
GREEN SOUR FOODS
In traditional Chinese medicine, green and sour foods are considered beneficial for the gallbladder and liver. The gallbladder and liver are associated with spring, so it can be a good idea to consider eating green and slightly sour foods in the coming period.
Here are some of the green sour foods that I myself enjoy during the spring months:
- Green tea
- Cabbage – especially green cabbage varieties
- Lemon
- Sour apples
- Kiwi
- Artichoke
- Celery
- Ground elder
- Wild garlic
Do you also have some preferred foods for spring? Please share them as a comment below 👇🏻 so others can benefit from them 🙏
SPRING COURSE FOR GALLBLADDER AND LIVER
