Spring is the season of growth and vitality, a time when Yang energy rises, marking the beginning of health for the year.
The Huangdi Neijing states: “Nurture Yang in spring and summer, and nurture Yin in autumn and winter.” Spring is the season for the emergence of Yang energy in the human body, and it is essential to align with the natural Yin-Yang energies of the universe, providing appropriate adjustments to allow Yang energy to flourish.
Thus, this is the starting point for health throughout the year. It is widely recognized that spring requires the promotion of Yang energy. But how can this be achieved?
Spring Moxibustion: Preventing the Three Evils
Wind—Moxibustion to Prevent Wind Evil
During spring, the weather is warm, and the spring breeze invigorates the Yang energy in the body, enhancing the circulation of Qi and blood. However, spring is also windy, especially in northern regions where strong winds are common.
As we know, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) identifies six external pathogenic factors—Wind, Cold, Heat, Dampness, Dryness, and Fire. Any of these can invade the body and cause illness, with Wind being the most prevalent cause of various diseases. Conditions such as hypertension, urticaria, and allergic diseases are often related to Wind during this season. Therefore, moxibustion to prevent Wind evil is advisable.
Additionally, due to wind and sand carrying bacteria, dust storms can invade the respiratory tract, harming lung health. At this time, it is advisable to perform moxibustion to protect and nourish the lungs, enhancing resistance against Wind evil.
Low Temperatures and Rain—Preventing Damp Evil
In spring, when cold air continuously invades southern China, the interaction of cold and warm air masses can lead to prolonged rainy weather.
With increased rainfall, external Dampness intensifies, and the Cold-Damp evil can easily disturb the spleen. Since Dampness is difficult to eliminate, it is crucial to focus on nourishing the spleen and stomach and promoting the elimination of Dampness through moxibustion.
Late Spring Cold—Preventing Cold Evil
In spring, especially during the early days when it is warm yet still cold, the weather remains unstable. Although winter has passed, temperatures can still be quite low, making it easy for people to suffer from Cold evil due to improper clothing adjustments.
At this time, it is important to prevent Cold and keep warm. Moxibustion can promote the circulation of Qi and blood, gradually nourishing the body and establishing a solid foundation of Yang energy for organ function.
Spring Moxibustion: Soothe Liver Fire, Nourish Spleen and Stomach, Supplement Qi and Blood
According to TCM, the liver corresponds to Wood and is associated with spring.
In the lunar spring months, liver Qi emerges, and liver Yang easily rises, which can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, insomnia, anxiety, and depression.
Excessive emergence of liver Wood can harm the spleen Earth, resulting in a series of gastrointestinal issues. The spleen and stomach are the “foundation of postnatal life”; with the fluctuating temperatures of early spring and the excessive emergence of liver Wood, it is easy to experience stomach cold, bloating, stomach pain, abdominal distension, and diarrhea.
Spring corresponds to the “tendons” in TCM’s foundational theory. The liver is easily harmed in spring, and since the liver governs the tendons, liver damage can lead to pain in the neck, shoulders, waist, and legs, as well as rheumatism and rheumatoid conditions.
In spring, with Wood flourishing and Earth declining, health practices should focus on soothing liver fire and nourishing the spleen and stomach. Implementing seasonal moxibustion can strengthen the spleen, warm the stomach, and relax the liver while stretching the tendons. During moxibustion, care should be taken not to overdo supplementation or promotion.
In addition to nourishing the liver and spleen, spring can also bring about the phenomenon of spring fatigue. Although spring fatigue is not a disease, neglecting it can affect daily work and life.
Spring fatigue occurs because the Yang energy that has been dormant throughout winter begins to disperse to meet the needs of growth and activity. If the Yang energy stored during winter cannot meet the demands of spring, the body may exhibit symptoms of “spring fatigue”. In TCM, this is explained as Qi deficiency, and moxibustion can supplement Qi and blood, alleviating spring fatigue.
In Spring, Prioritize Liver Health
The liver belongs to the Wood element and is connected to the spring energy. The Yang energy of spring promotes the growth of all living things. The liver Qi in the human body emerges, activating the energies of the organs that have been dormant throughout winter.
1. Promote Yang Energy Emergence by Nourishing the Liver
Spring health practices should align with the emergence of Yang energy and the beginning of life, focusing on protecting Yang energy and emphasizing the concept of “emergence.” To promote Yang energy, one must rely on both diet and movement.
2. Rise Early and Sleep Early to Nourish Liver Qi
The Huangdi Neijing states: “In the spring months, sleep early and rise early.” In traditional medicine, sleep is the most cost-effective health practice.
Children should ideally sleep before 9 PM, and adults should aim to sleep no later than 10 PM.
Staying up late can lead to Qi and blood deficiency, kidney deficiency, and excessive Dampness, resulting in symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, hair loss, and a sallow complexion.
3. Moxibustion on the Liver and Gallbladder Meridians to Clear Liver Fire
As spring arrives, with the emergence of liver Yang, liver Qi begins to promote the circulation of Qi and blood throughout the body. However, if liver Yang emerges excessively or if liver Qi stagnates, it can generate liver fire, which may harm the liver.
Regular moxibustion and tapping on the liver and gallbladder meridians can help the liver to disperse, clear liver fire, and promote health.
4. Close Your Eyes and Rotate Them to Nourish Liver Blood
The liver and eyes are interconnected; the liver stores blood and opens to the eyes. Therefore, nourishing the liver can also nourish the eyes. Closing the eyes and rotating them can relieve discomfort and mitigate the damage caused by insufficient liver blood.
Close your eyes: Close both eyes, gently press the eyelids with your index fingers, and lightly massage until a warm, swollen sensation is felt in the eyeballs.
Rotate your eyes: Keep your head still and rotate your eyeballs to the left and right for 10 circles each, effectively relieving eye fatigue and improving vision.
5. Stretch to Regulate the Liver Meridian
Spring is a transitional period from “nurturing Yin in autumn and winter” to “nurturing Yang in spring and summer.” During this time, spring fatigue can easily occur, and when the body is fatigued, Qi and blood circulation slows down.
Regularly stretching can help to refresh the body, promote Qi and blood circulation, open the meridians and joints, invigorate the spirit, and stimulate liver function, achieving liver health benefits.