Spring, the Liver, and the Wood Element: Time to Grow and Flow

...as blossoms unfurl, our bodies and minds are designed to expand, move, and create in this season; this is spring time.

Spring is here—the season of green shoots, longer days, and the gentle reminder that our activewear isn’t just for winter couch sessions. In East Asian medicine, spring belongs to the Wood element, ruled by the liver and gallbladder systems.

Just as trees stretch upward and blossoms unfurl, our bodies and minds are designed to expand, move, and create in this season.

Think of your Liver as your internal project manager. When it’s happy, it keeps things running smoothly—energy flows, moods are steady, and plans move forward. But when it’s cranky? You’ll notice irritability, tension headaches, PMS, sluggish digestion, or that classic “spring grump” when things feel stuck. It doesn’t like being micro-managed, but it does need regular support.

The Liver isn’t just a physical filter; it also houses the Hun, often translated as the “Ethereal Soul.” The Hun gives us direction, vision, and the ability to dream beyond the present moment. When balanced, it fuels creativity, growth, and decision-making. When unsettled, it can manifest as frustration, restlessness, irritability—or that classic springtime urge to reorganise your entire garage at 2 a.m. Because the Hun is closely tied to movement and planning, spring is the perfect time to nourish it with gentle structure and opportunities for inspiration.

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From a Western biomedical perspective, the liver is just as impressive—an organ that filters toxins, balances blood sugar, manages hormones, and produces bile to digest fats. It’s the body’s ultimate multitasker (imagine a chef, janitor, and accountant all rolled into one). After the heavier foods and hibernation of winter, spring is the ideal time to lighten the load and give your liver some breathing space.

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So, how do we support the liver and the Wood element in this season of renewal?

• Acupuncture: Regular sessions in spring can ease stress, regulate digestion, reduce seasonal allergies, and support hormonal balance.

• Diet: Think light, green, and fresh—leafy greens, sprouts, citrus, and sour flavours to gently stimulate the Liver.

• Lifestyle: Morning stretches, outdoor walks, or a creative project—anything that keeps body and mind flexible.

• Western matches: Milk thistle, turmeric, and green tea for gentle liver support; and yes, giving alcohol, sugar, and fried foods a rest really does help.

Spring is nature’s invitation to reset. By tending to your Liver—the body’s project manager—you’ll be ready to grow, move, and flourish right alongside the season

Book a seasonal tune-up today, and let acupuncture, food, herbs, movement, and connection help you build the right kind of momentum.  Dr. Ash Dean, a Doctor of East Asian Medicine & Licensed Acupuncturist at the Misun Wahya Foundation, Toowoomba City, has an affinity for integrative approaches that blend these perspectives. The General-Practice of East Asian and Western medicine approaches, like that offered at the Misun Wahya Foundation, can help support your hormone health, immunity, pain, digestion, and that sometimes-emotional liver of yours.