Perseverance and natural cycles

Over the past few weeks, my husband and I have been preparing our house for the market and planning our move out of state. It has been very exciting to consider all of the possibilities for the future, but I will admit that time has felt somewhat squeezed. Perhaps evidenced by a few skips in the weekly newsletter (I missed connecting with you and reading your responses here!), my mental space has felt a bit cramped.

Above all, this time of change in my own life has made me even more aware of the shift in season out there in nature and has stoked a kind of renewed reverence for the yearly perseverance of springtime.

Here in New Mexico, the spring lands with turbulence. Even just a couple of weeks ago, we had deep snow in the mountains. Today, the wind is cold, and each day, we wonder if we will start up the woodstoves again.

So when I step outside and see the motherwort sprouts popping up in their usual place, even more robust than the years prior, I am reminded of the way nature moves forward and steps confidently into the next season, even when the conditions seem challenging.

The transition to spring can sometimes be rough for people. Digestive challenges may arise or intensify. It’s not required, of course, but if you observe something along these lines, you are not alone. Spring tends to stir stuff up for people.

Chinese medicine teaches us to move with the seasons. We can make shifts in our food choices, thought patterns, and daily behaviors that support the letting go of what we held onto over the winter, what we no longer need to carry. We can make room inside of ourselves to embrace what is happening now and what is to come.

Practically speaking, this is a time to welcome gently clearing springtime foods, like asparagus, clearing broths (without heating additions, like garlic and onion), and dandelion greens. If you developed a reliance on bread or wheat over winter, ease up a little bit now and explore other grains that are less heavy, like rice.

Start to bring in more herbal teas in the form of leaves and flowers, like peppermint leaves, chamomile flowers, and osmanthus flowers. I especially love a blend of chrysanthemum flowers and goji berries steeped as a tea this time of year.

If you are trying to make a change in your health, write it down or set a reminder on your phone to keep your intention front of mind. Chinese medicine shows us the association of the spring with the liver and gallbladder, which correspond with our goals, plans, and decision-making.

The spring may awaken all kinds of thoughts, plans, and ideas, which can be exciting, but also introduce a burden of choice for some people. Try to maintain a sense of clarity with your intentions for your health, and remember that it is always an option to reach out to a practitioner if you need more support during this time.

As always, you are welcome to send me a note if you are looking for some new recipes or want to inquire about a session. I’ll be keeping some availability open for virtual sessions while we transition to a new home!

Warmest,

Artemisia

Artemisia O’bi, MA - Clinical Herbalist | Chinese Medicine

innervillagehealth.com @innervillagehealth