03/19/2022
Happy Spring!
At the Spring Equinox, we are surrounded by new life. The earth is covered in a blanket of greenery and the rising of life force.
With this bubbling up of energy and blossoming of new life, we experience a renewal within ourselves too. We feel lighter than we did throughout the darker winter months and have a sense of excitement about what is to come. We can see fresh possibilities and sense the creative potential in new ideas.
This is the perfect time of year to set intentions for the six months ahead.
What are you excited about?
What do you want to create and experience?
Spring’s fresh start spirit invites us to cleanse the body by tending to the liver and lymphatic system, which function together to impact our overall wellness.
The liver is a major organ that processes many of the toxins we are exposed to each day, such as BPA, pesticides, air pollutants, flame retardants, and phthalates. These harmful substances affect the entire body and can contribute to a slew of health concerns, especially allergic reactions.
Taking bitter herbs, which are associated with spring in herbalism and Traditional Chinese medicine, can help facilitate digestion and liver detoxification. Many of these herbs are freshly available in spring. My favorite herbs are dandelion tea and nettle tea. Spring is also the time for coffee e***a for renewed energy.
The lymphatic system cleanses the muscles, tissues, and organs of the body by carrying away metabolic waste such as water, glucose, salts, proteins, fats, and cellular debris. It also creates lymphocytes in its nodes, and these white blood cells scrub the body regularly to fight off pathogens and harmful infections. Lymphatic channels flow all through the body, with extra nodes around the neck, groin, breasts, and armpits.
Unlike other bodily processes, the lymphatic system does not have an automatic pump or drainage system that kicks in when needed. Instead, lymph moves through the body when we move, which is one of the reasons exercise is necessary for optimal health.
Our lymphatic systems often become stagnant during the dormant winter months, which can contribute to allergies, colds, fatigue, and other complaints related to a buildup of toxins.
Getting outside for some physical activity is an excellent way to flush out lymph blockages and help overcome the winter blues. Another option is massage focused on lymphatic drainage, which can be done by a professional or by yourself with the help of a gua sha massage stone.
My favorite way to drain lymphatics is to simply do dry brushing.
Supporting the liver and moving the lymph can help prepare the body for one of spring’s most unpopular features: allergy season.
Cleansing the liver and lymphatic system recharges the immune system, readying it to react better to the pollen released in the air.
Consider working with a practitioner like me to optimize your liver health.
DM me to book a complimentary call.
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