Sandy Hewitt Chinese Medicine

Spring Newsletter

Posted on by Sandy
Spring, the Liver & a time of renewal

In Chinese Medicine, Spring is associated with the Liver & it’s partner the Gall Bladder. We are all familiar with the energy of Spring – fresh and outward bound with renewed energy as we come out of the winter energy that is more inward bound & about conserving energy. Just as the flowers & trees begin to reach outwards with their leaves & blossoms, so too does our energy begin to reach outwards into a more Yang phase of expression.

If our energy is working harmoniously we will feel uplifted and joyful with this new seasonal expression of energy. However, if the Liver energy is constrained by stress and poor lifestyle habits or illness, we can experience difficulties such as:

  • outbursts of anger &/or frustration
  • headaches
  • tight neck & shoulders
  • teeth grinding & frequent sighing
  • depression, irritability & moodiness
  • abdominal discomfort
  • premenstrual syndrome

What to do…?

  • Eat less & allow the liver to cleanse
  • Reduce processed foods
  • Increase intake of green foods
  • Reduce alcohol
  • Consume bitter & sour foods eg rocket salad & vinegar, lemon juice
  • Move the Qi! Exercise daily
  • Ginger improves circulation – drink it fresh as tea
  • Let go – allow your emotions. Give yourself time & space to experience them.

 

Recipe:                                                                                                                      Health tip:

Sauteed Tofu with Bitter Greens

  • One block of extra-firm tofu
  • 3 tablespoons tamari
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 1 fresh chilli or Tabasco (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon grated ginger
  • 3 cups bitter greens such as baby bok choy, or dandelion, washed, trimmed, and torn into pieces
  • 1 teaspoon black sesame seeds
  • 3 cloves of garlic, crushed

Cut tofu into strips & dry with paper towels.
Heat oil in frypan till hot & cook tofu strips with 1 tbs tamari for approx 2 minutes each side & place aside.
In same frypan, combine remaining ingredients except sesame seeds & saute for approx 5 minutes.
Place greens in the serving bowl & arrange tofu strips on top & sprinkle with black sesame seeds.
 

Self Massage with Tennis Balls

Use a tennis ball on it’s own or place 2 tennis balls in a sock or stocking & tie a knot in between the two balls & at each end. Do this exercise on a mat or carpet. Lie down on the tennis balls with one on each side of the spine. Roll over the balls until you feel a ‘hot spot’ in the muscle. Rest on the tennis balls to create sustained pressure on this spot for about 20 seconds. As always, check first with your health practitioner if you have any major ongoing pain and injuries.