Spring nutrition
The Ancient Chinese saw their physical and psychological health reflected in the changing rhythms of nature. According to their medical system, the flow of seasons corresponded to the five basic elements – Water, Wood, Earth, Fire and Metal. Each element is associated to organs and meridians (also known as energy systems). As a Naturopath and Nutritional Therapist I identify with the seasons and always support linking seasons with our health. Of course there are a number of others reasons to eat local, seasonal food; it tends to be tastier and more nutritious, helps you to support your local community, reduce CO2 emissions needed to grow and transport the food.
So what about Spring time? Well the element in Chinese medicine is wood and corresponds to the months March to May -
Our bodies are currently rebuilding and cleansing various organs and systems. Throughout springtime our bodies mimic the plant cycles. In the Chinese elemental system, the first part of spring is the season of the Wood element and the organs associated with it are the liver an gallbladder. It is time to cleanse past toxins from our bodies and minds and rebuild consciously -
Symptoms associated with toxicity - tight muscles, joint stiffness, joint pain and feeling “rigid” in mind rather than flexibility, lightness and joy. The organs rebuilding and cleansing in spring are the liver and gallbladder.
So how can you help yourself? Well you can consider nutritional therapy, food, exercise, body treatments and meditation. You are likely to be well aware that we are continually exposed to innumerable environmental chemicals and toxins. The air we breathe, the food we eat and the water we drink have created challenges which have a dramatic effect on our health. The problem is not exposure to a very small amount of one type of chemical for example a pesticide on a vegetable, but the constant exposure to various chemicals, parabens, synthetic hormones and toxins that are accumulating in our systems over years. Through scientific research we understand that these chemicals affect all sorts of things from hormone production to cancer to obesity. These toxins not only disrupt our systems but also inhibit our body’s ability to revitalise and repair by inhibiting organ function, blocking detox pathways and limiting nutrient absorption.
So how can you support yourself? At the Conscious Health Centre we are offering a Special - Far Infrared Therapy Treatment combined with Castor Oil Packs – a naturopathic approach to detoxing. You could also consider Chiropractic support, Manual Lymphatic Massage, Nutritional Therapy, Heath Screening, Therapeutic Massage, Reflexology, Healing or join our yoga, pilates or meditation classes.