Since the heart meridian is so important, I’d like to talk a little more about it before discussing the other summer meridians.

The warm weather of summer encourages us to be physically active outdoors.  It is a time to enjoy the weather and our friends.  Summer is a time for laughter, vacations, and fun. The heart meridian, which is most active in summer, is closely aligned to the mind and is considered the emotional center of the body.  This is not that that far-fetched for us.  We say someone who has difficulty hiding their emotions is “wearing their heart on their sleeve.”

In TCM the heart commands all the organs and tissues, houses the spirit and controls the emotions. When the heart is peaceful and strong it controls the emotions; “when it is weak and wavering, the emotions rebel and prey upon the heart-mind, which then loses its command over the body.”

Internally, the heart is functionally associated with the thymus gland which plays an important role in the immune system.  Extreme emotions such as anger and grief have a suppressive effect on the immune system by hindering thymus function.

The heart (fire energy) is also closely related to the kidney (water energy).  When the kidney gets depleted by excess work, exercise or sex it is unable to nourish the fire of the heart.  Symptoms of insomnia, heart palpations and anxiety may occur.

If the heart energy is scattered by too much physical activity, mental overstimulation or over-socializing, symptoms of insomnia, nervousness, restlessness, anxiety, palpitations, and aversion to heat may occur. The key is to find balance in all things work, rest and play.  Meditate, have fun, enjoy your life.

Some tips:

Red foods resonate with the heart: tomatoes, radishes, beets, red pepper, and watermelon are good choices for summer meals

During spring the life force in our bodies is most active in the Liver and Gallbladder Meridians (energy pathways). These meridians are responsible for the liver and gallbladder organs as well as the eyes, blood, tendons, and ligaments.

We’ve spoken about the liver meridian, among other functions it stores and filters blood, regulates chi and prana, rules the health of muscles, tendons, nails, hands, and feet and is responsible for balancing emotions.

The major functions of the Gallbladder Meridian are:

• Secretes digestive enzymes to break down fat
• Gives us the ability to follow our path in life
• Helps with our capacity to regain equilibrium aftershock
• These meridians also affect anger, frustration, and courage. The liver controls the ability to plan one’s life, while the gallbladder controls the capacity to make decisions.

Some symptoms of impaired Gallbladder function are:

• Pain over the eyes
• Gas, bloating
• Pain along IT band
• Cramping at the 4th toe, knees, and thigh

Some symptoms of a congested liver are:

• Skin problems; rashes, brown skin spots
• Difficulty losing body fat
• Distended stomach on a thin body
• Ringing in the ears

Tips for supporting and rejuvenating your Liver and Gallbladder:

• Start your day with a cup of lemon water
• Juice or blend beets, apples, lemon, carrots, and dandelion greens
• Eat more sulfur-rich foods: garlic and onions, and vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, kale, collards, and cabbage
• Have your energy balanced

In Chinese Medicine, man is seen as part of the natural world.  Therefore, in order to experience optimum health and wellbeing and prevent disease living in harmony with the seasons of nature is of utmost importance.  Spring is a season of new life and growth.

The energies associated with spring are liver and gallbladder.  Liver Meridian carries the energizing and expansive energy of spring in our bodies.

Last week I spoke about the associations of liver and symptoms of imbalanced liver energy.  Today I want to expand on that.
The most common symptoms of liver imbalance are:

• Anger or irritation
• Depression
• Shoulder and neck tension
• Headaches and dizziness
• Menstrual disorders (PMS, irregular or painful menses)
• Digestive problems (IBS, indigestion)

In spring there is an increase in these symptoms because our energy is most active in Liver Meridian. To help harmonize liver energy:

• Get enough rest and wake early
• Increase intake of greens: sprouts, arugula, kale, watercress – help purify the liver and gallbladder.
• Add the sour flavor to your diet- lemon water or apple cider vinegar in water in the morning.
• I can’t emphasize exercise enough, especially for depression.  Walking in nature 20- 30 minutes 3 times a week is very helpful.
• Include downtime in your schedule.
• Have your energy balanced with acupuncture or acupressure.

Although there is still snow on the ground, the air has a feeling of lightness with the coming of spring. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, spring is the time of renewal, cleansing, creating, activity, growth, and movement.

Spring is associated with the wood element and Gall Bladder and Liver Meridians. This is the perfect time to release emotions that no longer serve us; specifically, anger, resentment, frustration, and lethargy. Many people spring clean their homes; it is also desirable to clean our internal environment to create mental clarity, optimum health, and emotional wellbeing.

Today I want to focus on emotional spring-cleaning strategies. Liver Meridian is the energy pathway most active in spring. The emotions associated with Liver are anger, frustration, and resentment. The liver is also “the organ most affected by stagnant emotions and stress.” Gall Bladder the partner of Liver “is responsible for storing and excreting bile and governs decision making, planning, dreaming, inspiration, and assertiveness.”

Supporting these meridians, especially this time of year, can help to make changes to inspire a spiritual or emotional breakthrough. To aid in emotional balancing and de-stressing:

• Get outside to exercise and meditate as much as you can.
• Add to your exercise program or if sedentary, begin some type of physical exercise.
• Spend time with friends.
• Walk in nature.
• Spring clean your home.
• Enjoy a sauna, steam or soak to aid detoxification
• Laugh
• “Forgive as much and as often as you can.”