Spring, a season or a state of health?

“He/she is in the springtime of life”, by which we mean that stage when a person is at the peak of his or her development, beauty or energy.

It is clearly a season that we miss at other times of the year because we associate it with positive emotions because of the increase in light and temperature. Our body reacts by adjusting its metabolism with a certain hyperactivity, which has a positive influence on our mood. Thanks to the secretion of pheromones, oxytocin, dopamine, or noradrenaline we feel generally happier and more uninhibited.

But we can also have the complete opposite effect, tiredness, headaches, sleep disturbance and lack of energy.

Whether one or the other happens depends to a large extent on the health of our liver, something that is often overlooked. A clean liver is noticeable in one’s energy, mood, clarity of mind and organisational skills… even body odour.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the liver, wood, the colour green and the wind align in spring to bring about the new revival of oneself at this time of the year. But if we are caught with a liver overloaded with food and pent-up emotions, we will lack energy, sparkle, clarity, patience, and enthusiasm.

Spring encourages everything new to emerge, so boosting the liver encourages the rebirth of ideas, projects, and resolutions. The liver in turn manages the energy of sight, the greatest energy expenditure after the brain, responsible for inspiration, creativity, and desire for life.

In fact, one of the greatest threats to these target organs is the excessive use of technology. Spending hours in front of the screen, whether it is a computer, mobile phone or television, is one of the most common causes of health problems in our society, and yet it is totally ignored. A good tip is to lower the
brightness of the screen to reduce luminescence and try not to look at the screen more than necessary and look away from it when it is not really necessary. As well as hydrating well and eating juicy, unctuous food.

Understanding how these seasonal changes affect us and how to boost our health and wellbeing by using natural foods becomes vitally important to minimise the symptoms of the dreaded spring asthenia.

It is the right time to help the body eliminate the toxins accumulated during the winter and strengthen it as much as possible to face the changes that the new season brings weakness, allergies, fatigue, hair loss…

As our blood filter, the liver must be detoxified and toned at this time of year through a diet rich in green leafy vegetables. Artichokes and endives are good allies for this. Also, celery, spinach, peas, broccoli, red cabbage, turnips, radishes, cucumbers, etc., preferably in lightly cooked and warm dishes, there will be time for salads later on…

But of course, this only works if we also reduce our intake of sugar, salt, alcohol, caffeine, spices, saturated fats, sausages, processed meats, flour, and refined sugars.

It is likely that if we have also eaten a lot of tinned and frozen foods this winter, or have been exposed to chemical disinfectants, dust and dust mites, our defences are no longer able to cope with creating antibodies and allergic symptoms of various kinds are now manifesting themselves.

Allergy problems are usually caused by an inadequate diet, excessive use of medication, stress, fungi and bacteria or intestinal inflammation, which causes a disproportion between the histamine ingested and the liver’s capacity to metabolise it.

We find high levels of histamines in canned food in general, canned blue fish, all types of dairy products, sausages, alcohol, coffee, egg whites, soya derivatives, shellfish, chocolate, nuts, tomatoes, chard, peppers, wheat, olives, kiwis, strawberries, pineapple and sugars.

A natural diet, enriched with minerals and vitamins A, C, E and quercetin, as well as herbal teas such as elderberry, plantain, blackcurrant and eyebright, is very helpful in alleviating the symptoms. Always under the advice of a health professional.

In short, let’s go green these days, let’s hydrate well, let’s include fresh foods in our menus, remineralising and antioxidant, and above all, let’s take advantage of the light to free ourselves from repressions and toxic emotions, breathing deeply and taking on new ideas and projects with the best energy.
We are convinced that this well cared for “spring state” rejuvenates the soul and ensures the success of many projects, with courage and good health.

María Kindelán