Nourish the Liver Around the Qingming Solar Term
Introduction: According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the key to nourishing Yang in spring is to focus on the liver. In the Five Elements theory, the liver belongs to Wood, corresponding to spring. It governs upward and outward movement, sprouting and growing in the spring. Around the Qingming Festival, it is especially important to pay attention to the health of the five organs and emotional well-being.
Spring corresponds to the Wood element in the Five Elements, and the liver is also a Wood organ in the human body. Therefore, the Qi of spring connects with the liver. In spring, the liver's Qi flourishes and rises, making people feel energetic and spirited. However, if the liver's Qi rises too excessively or becomes stagnant, it can easily damage the liver, leading to cold-related illnesses in summer. Therefore, it is timely to adjust your daily diet, routine, and mental state to align with the changing seasons, following the principle of "preventing illness before it arises and preventing its progression once it has." This is the right time to strengthen liver health. By keeping the liver, the body's detoxification factory, in good condition, one can avoid illness. Here, three major acupoints on the liver meridian located on the feet are specially recommended: Dadun, Xingjian, and Taichong.
Dadun Acupoint
The Dadun acupoint is the first point on the liver meridian, located next to the nail fold on the big toe's inner side. "Dun" means thick, so "Dadun" signifies "especially thick." Dadun is also a "Well" point, and "Well" signifies a source. On the outer edge of the big toe's nail margin, closest to the second toe, is the "Dadun" point. It can be massaged or moxibusted to achieve the effects of clearing the liver and brightening the eyes, helping to clear your mind and refresh your spirit.
Xingjian Acupoint
The "Xingjian acupoint" is located between the big toe and the second toe. It is a Fire point. The liver belongs to Wood, and Wood generates Fire. If your liver Fire is too excessive, you should reduce the Heart Fire. The "Xingjian acupoint" is a point for sedating the Heart Fire. In spring, an excess of liver Fire can lead to symptoms like toothaches, swollen cheeks, mouth ulcers, nosebleeds, and blisters on the tip of the tongue. This indicates that the Fire has moved from the liver meridian to the heart meridian. Massaging the "Xingjian acupoint" can help dissipate this Heart Fire.
Taichong Acupoint
The "Taichong acupoint" is located about 4 centimeters up from the webbing between the big toe and second toe on the top of the foot, and it is considered one of the most important acupoints in the human body. Some compare the "Taichong acupoint" to a pressure release valve for the body because it is the source point and transport point of the liver meridian, as well as a Fire point of the meridian, capable of dispersing liver Qi and liver Fire. Therefore, by pressing and rubbing "Taichong," you can maximize the release of stagnant Qi from the body. "Taichong" is easy to find: from where the big toe and second toe meet on the top of the foot, push towards the ankle until you reach the end where the two bones connect. The method of pressing and rubbing is to carefully find the most tender point and then push and rub from "Taichong" towards the "Xingjian" acupoint. This helps to release the liver Fire.
Spring Liver Nourishing Principles
"The liver thrives on free flow and abhors stagnation." This means the liver希望你 to be very happy and joyful. So everyone, remember, in the spring, you must not be depressed, because when you are depressed in spring, the liver's Qi will be affected, and the气血 (Qi and blood) cannot flow smoothly and generate. Therefore, in spring, it's best to be happy every day and not be depressed. This is a very important principle of health preservation, because all things in nature are growing and flourishing. If you are unhappy all day, you will put yourself into a state of depression, which is not in harmony with the season.
In spring, a person's Qi and blood move from the inside to the outside, and the entire natural world is in a state of growth and flourishing. The *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) states that during this season, one must remember to "go to bed late and rise early, and walk extensively in the courtyard." Going to bed late means you should sleep after it gets dark; rising early means getting up early in the morning. This is because in spring, the body's Qi and blood are moving outward. Going to bed a little earlier helps the Yin Qi to be stored and is beneficial for the recovery of Qi and blood. "Walking extensively in the courtyard" tells us to go out for walks often to feel the vibrant energy of all things in nature, creating a natural harmony with the world. Some people feel drowsy and lethargic in spring and sleep endlessly, which is definitely not right. Emotionally, because spring is a season of growth and flourishing, one's mood should also be positive and uplifting.
The climate during Qingming can be hot with a tendency towards dryness, and compounded by the heavy cold-dampness from last year, it can easily lead to internal cold with external heat and liver Qi stagnation. On the other hand, spring is also the season when liver Qi rises. Due to the upward rebellion of liver Qi, patients with liver disease may experience changes in their condition, abnormal liver function, and in severe cases, even bleeding. For medicinal food therapy in spring, the focus should be on pacifying the liver Qi, nourishing the liver Yin, and expelling wind-heat.