Spring Is Here!
Yes of course this is Melbourne, and the weather is changeable but if the increase of patients into the clinic with Hayfever are anything to go by, Spring has sprung! As mentioned in our previous Article ‘Chinese medicine tips for Autumn’, historically recommendations for each of the seasons were made in the Huang Di Nei Jing Suwen (AKA Yellow Emperor's Internal Canon or the Su Wen).
The three months of spring,
they denote effusion and spreading.
Heaven and earth together generate life;
the myriad beings flourish.
Go to rest late at night and rise early.
Move through the courtyard with long strides.
Dishevel the hair and relax the physical appearance,
thereby cause the mind [to orient itself on] life.
Give life and do not kill.
Give and do not take.
Reward and do not punish.
This is correspondence with the qi of spring and
it is the Way to nourish life.
Opposing it harms the liver.
In summer, this causes changes to cold, and
there is little to support growth.
— (Huang Di Nei Jing Su Wen Ch. 2)
Chinese Medicine Tips for Spring
The above quote from the Su Wen provides advice of how to live in accordance with Spring. It advises us that unlike in winter we can go to bed a bit later and rise earlier and begin going outside and move around.
We should consider starting some gentle exercise such as walking, bending and stretching. Yoga is a great example of an activity that would be appropriate. In winter we rug up to protect us from the bitter cold but as the season changes to spring the weather begins to warm and we can begin wearing looser clothing.
In addition to the suggested physical activity, we should also be mindful of our emotions and avoid anger and conflict, we should let things go and avoid holding onto bitterness and resentment.
Common Illnesses in Spring
Spring is also the time when many people begin experiencing hay fever, or allergic rhinitis. Pollen levels can increase as plants begin flowering, and symptoms such as sneezing, a runny nose, itchy eyes and nasal congestion can become a familiar part of the season.
In traditional Chinese medicine, the changing seasons were understood through concepts such as wind, cold and heat. These were ways of describing patterns observed in nature and the body, rather than the biomedical explanations we use today.
Hay fever is an allergic condition, and there are established approaches to managing symptoms, including reducing exposure to allergens where practical and discussing suitable treatments with a pharmacist or GP. If you're interested in acupuncture, you're welcome to arrange a consultation to discuss your circumstances, the available evidence and whether it's appropriate for you.
If you'd like to ask a question about Chinese medicine or arrange an appointment, feel free to give the clinic a call.