Winter is slowly giving way to the fresh light of spring. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this is not just an ordinary change of season, but a significant energetic transition. Nature is awakening, Qi begins to rise, and the body craves more movement, lightness and space.
In TCM, spring represents the Wood element, which is associated with the liver and gallbladder, creativity, growth and planning new steps. When we allow our lives to flow with this rhythm, we support our health on both a physical and emotional level.
In this blog, you’ll discover how to prepare your body, mind and environment for spring in the best possible way — entirely in line with the principles of TCM.
Eat in tune with the rhythm of spring
In spring, the body craves lightness, refreshment and release. The liver thrives on green and mildly sour flavours.
✔ What should be included in a spring diet?
- Green leafy vegetables: spinach, watercress, rocket, leek
- Quickly steamed or briefly stir-fried vegetables
- Mildly tart flavours: lemon water, sauerkraut
- Bitter spring vegetables: chicory, rocket, grapefruit
This diet helps the liver to ensure that Qi flows smoothly through the body
What’s best to avoid?
- eating food that is too fatty and fried
- alcohol and strong spices (which overstimulate the liver)
- heavy and overly sweet food
- excessive consumption of cold and raw foods (weakens the spleen)
Let your Qi energy flow
Whereas winter calls for rest, spring calls for movement, stretching and expansion.
Good choices:
- Walking in the countryside, preferably in the morning
- Qi Gong or Tai Chi to harmonise Liver Qi
- Gentle stretching for the sides, chest and hips
- Deep breathing exercises
Exercise prevents stagnation of Liver Qi, which can otherwise manifest as irritability, stiffness, PMS or fatigue.
Emotional detox: making room for a fresh start
The emotion associated with the Liver is anger — particularly the suppressed kind. Spring invites us to let go of tension and create clarity.
Try:
- creativity (writing, painting, music)
- write down your plans for the coming months
- setting boundaries and not letting minor frustrations build up
- to bring some structure to your week
When the liver can move freely, so can we.
A gentle TCM detox
TCM detox is never extreme.
simple guidelines to support your body:
- a glass of warm water with lemon first thing in the morning
- Soup days with vegetable stock
- more vegetables than grains on your plate
- hot meals that are gentle on the spleen
- TCM formulas that dispel liver qi stagnation; Radix Bupleurum (Chai Hu) is the herb of choice for this
Acu-LED therapy for spring: three key points
LV3 – Taichong
The key to getting Liver Qi moving.
GB34 – Yanglingquan
Works on tendons and ligaments — the Wood element.
→ Ideal if your body feels “stiff”.
LI4 – His
Promotes the flow of Qi throughout the body.
→ Not to be used during pregnancy!
10–15 minutes, 2 to 3 times a week, in 50% red and 50% infrared mode
Adjust your sleep and daily routine
Qi rises and the daylight grows longer.
Go with the flow:
- Get up earlier and soak up the morning light
- air out your home regularly
- make sure you get enough sleep (go to bed before midnight)
Tidy up your surroundings – tidy up your energy
TCM takes a holistic approach: spring begins in your home too.
- clearing out unwanted items
- open the windows to let in fresh yang-Qi
- add a plant as a symbol of growth
- review old documents or plans
Creating space = inviting new energy.
In summary
Spring is the season of growth, movement and renewal.
You can support this natural rhythm by:
- eating light and green
- Move gently and stretch, focusing particularly on the sides, where the gallbladder meridian runs
- to release emotional tension
- a gentle detox
- Activating the liver and gallbladder points
- to freshen up your surroundings
- easy walks in the countryside