The ancient Chinese tradition of “Nourishing Life,” known as Yang Sheng, dates back thousands of years.

The purpose of this practice is to:

• promote vitality,
• prevent disease, and
• ensure a long life.

These concepts date back at least as far as the Chinese medical text Huang Di Nei Jing Su Wen, which is believed to be at least 3,000 years old. In the second chapter, titled “The Law of Regulating Spirit in the Four Seasons” (“Si Qi Tiao Shen Da Lun”), the author gives suggestions on harmonizing the body with the four seasons.

Chinese solar terms of spring refer to the Beginning of Spring, Rain Water, Waking of Insects, Vernal Equinox, Pure Brightness, and Grain Rain (February 4–April 21). The three months of spring are a time when things begin to grow out of the energy of winter. Heaven begins to generate warm energy, the earth begins to develop it, and the 10,000 things begin to flourish. In spring, Nourishing Life should conform to the characteristics of “germination and growth.” One should loosen up one’s hair and relax one’s body to facilitate the development of emotions.

In spring it is desirable to go to sleep later in the evening and get up earlier in the morning, as well as to bath in the morning sunlight and go for a slow walk.

This is a lifestyle for rejuvenation to maintain health in response to the spring. To live a lifestyle contrary to the spring will cause injury to the liver energy and one will suffer cool diseases in the summer that follows.

In Early Spring, Yang Energy in the Body Starts to Surface.

Environmental cold has not completely disappeared and the body’s resistance to pathogenic cold has relatively weakened. At this time, temperatures can change dramatically and one should avoid attacks of pathogenic wind. One should follow the ancient Chinese adage of “muffing the body in winter and freezing the body in autumn.” Keeping the body warm to resist wind and cold, and modifying layers accordingly as the nights cool rapidly can promote the natural ascending of yang energy in the human body.

Regulating the Emotions in Spring

Spring is a time when everything on earth comes to life. The liver corresponds to spring and therefore the activities of the liver are most vigorous in spring. In the body, the liver controls the regulation of energy and blood and prefers free movement. However, the liver is averse to depression and is expressed in the emotion of anger. If the liver is restricted in its free movement, it will fail to regulate energy and blood, the body will not be able to adapt to the climatic variations in the spring, and disease will set in.

People should be at ease, open-minded, and optimistic to allow the yang energy to flow smoothly within the body.

• It’s not advisable to sleep and sit for long periods or to remain depressed and withdrawn.
• One should also work to avoid becoming impetuous and easily angered. This can impair the energetic functions of the liver. This is why it’s advisable to rise early and go for a walk to enjoy the flourishing of new growth in spring.
• One should wear loose clothing, let their hair down, dance, and fully express emotions. This will benefit the liver’s regulation of energy and blood and the ascending of yang energy in the spring.

Regulating the Diet for Spring

Spring is a time when the yang energy ascends. The liver prefers smooth regulation of energy and blood and is averse to depression. Therefore, it is beneficial for one to eat pungent and acrid foods, which promote the ascending of yang energy and the liver’s function of regulating energy and blood.

It is beneficial for one to eat pungent and acrid foods, which promote the ascending of yang energy and the liver’s function of regulating energy and blood.

Foods and spices such as:

• green onions,
• cilantro, and
• citrus peel

can help the regulation of energy and blood and the natural ascending of yang. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it’s believed that hyperactivity of the liver can create heat in the body.

Some examples of foods that can help clear excess heat are:

• chard,
• kale,
• dandelion greens, and
• artichokes.

Hyperactivity of liver energy can also have negative effects on digestion. Ancient tradition of Nourishing Life prescribes, “less sour-flavored foods and more sweet flavored foods.” Sour-flavored foods act on the liver and have an astringent nature, which is not beneficial for the ascending of yang energy and regulation of energy and blood. The addition of sweet foods helps strengthen the digestive system and protect it from the in effects of a hyperactive liver.

Some examples of naturally sweet foods are:

• sweet potatoes,
• rice,
• jujube dates, and
• lotus seeds.

Ask about our Sage Hill herbal tea blend!

It helps our bodies adapt to the season of spring as well as relieving stress and tension.