Balance Liver Energy by Strengthening Lung Energy in Springtime

Master Chunyi Lin

As April unfolds, the dominance of spring energy heralds a period of renewal and vitality. Following the hibernation of winter, plants and trees awaken, bursting with life and energy.

This season exudes happiness and excitement, offering us an opportunity to embrace new beginnings.

Spending time in Nature

To fully harness the rejuvenating energy of this season, immerse yourself in nature. Step outside and breathe in the fresh, invigorating air released from the awakening ground. Spending time outdoors with loved ones amplifies the benefits, fostering connections and shared experiences amidst the vibrant backdrop of spring's renewal.

Moreover, as trees and plants awaken, they emit an abundance of pure, positive healing energy. It's essential to immerse ourselves in this spring energy to absorb its healing essence fully, fostering harmony and alignment with nature. Engaging in outdoor activities and exercise allows us to maximize the benefits, promoting overall well-being, particularly beneficial for the liver.

The Healing Color: Green

Surrounded by lush greenery, especially in spring, offers profound healing benefits. The abundant green color, characteristic of this season, exerts a soothing influence, particularly supportive for liver health. Since liver energy manifests in the eyes, absorbing green hues from nature nurtures and rejuvenates this vital organ, contributing to overall well-being.

 Grounding: Walking Barefoot (only if it's warm enough)

When possible, take a moment to walk barefoot outdoors, provided the weather permits. Alternatively, if it's still chilly outside, opt for indoor barefoot walks, ensuring a warm environment.

Ordinarily, the soles of your shoes act as a barrier between your energy and the earth, which can be advantageous. However, during this time of year, the earth's energy intensifies, emanating palpable sensations from the ground. The most effective way to connect with this energy is by walking barefoot, though it's essential to ensure warmth to avoid discomfort. If the weather isn't conducive, it's best to wait until conditions improve.

Strengthening the Lung Energy to Balance Liver Energy 

During this period, Spring Energy is on the rise, marking the peak of liver energy's strength. As liver energy, associated with the wood element, tends to dominate, maintaining equilibrium becomes paramount. Increased coughing in spring is often attributed to the overpowering nature of liver energy. While the lungs, governed by metal energy, attempt to regulate it, they may lack the necessary strength, particularly during spring. 

To restore balance to the liver energy, it's imperative to fortify lung energy. 

That’s another reason why you need to get outside and breathe, deeply, gently, slowly, as often as you can.

Get outside in nature, be active and sweat.

Regardless of whether you're indoors or outdoors, it's crucial to engage in exercise until you break a sweat. Sweating plays a pivotal role in strengthening lung energy, essential for balancing the overwhelming liver/wood energy.

Sweating facilitates detoxification by expelling toxins through the skin, reinforcing lung vitality as the skin is intricately connected to the respiratory system. Both exercise and sweating contribute significantly to bolstering lung energy. Therefore, strive to work up a sweat daily to support lung function.

While spending time in a steam room or sauna can offer benefits, exercising until you perspire is the most effective method. Make it a daily goal to break a sweat to uphold your overall well-being.

 

 As you immerse yourself in the revitalizing energy of spring through walking, playing, and exercising, remember to always wear a smile on your face. Allow your love to blossom and extend to others and everything around you, including our beloved Mother Earth. While spreading love is essential in every season, it holds particular significance during spring's rejuvenating embrace.

*** For those residing in northern regions like Minnesota, where winter persists with its prolonged and frigid embrace, it's advisable to refrain from venturing into the woods for several weeks yet. The lingering energy imbalance necessitates waiting until the weather has remained consistently warm for an extended period. This allows ample time for the energy in the woods or forest to harmonize and come into balance, ensuring a safer and more harmonious experience.

Adding a little more spice to your food. 

Now is the perfect time to infuse your meals with a touch of spice to balance the  liver and enhance the lung energy. Incorporate ingredients like ginger root, green onions, garlic, and onions into your dishes. Additionally, consider adding hot red peppers to your diet once a week, if you're comfortable with them, as they provide excellent protection and immune support.

Hot red peppers boast detoxifying properties, aid in flu recovery, and promote digestive health. If spicy peppers aren't your preference, opt for more green onion, ginger root, and garlic instead.

Green onion and ginger root are particularly effective in strengthening lung energy, supporting digestion, and warding off colds and flu by activating lung energy. I highly recommend incorporating these ingredients into your meals as often as possible, even in small quantities, for their significant health benefits. Eating them raw is okay but if you slightly cook them first it is even better. This energy is very helpful for the liver, stomach and blood pressure

Remember not to over do it.  A Little bit of spice is good to Strengthen the Lung Energy, but too much and it can overwhelm the liver energy, as the liver is already robust.