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Autumn, which is associated with the metal element, is<br />
a time of organization and order for the harvest. This is<br />
when we collect everything that is pure and necessary<br />
and rid ourselves of anything unnecessary or a waste<br />
of energy. The lungs, which take in oxygen and expel<br />
carbon dioxide, share this same process with the colon,<br />
which absorbs water and eliminates waste. So, the<br />
refinement of pure minerals into the finished product<br />
of metal is also a representation of the autumn season.<br />
Water symbolizes the fluidity and tranquility of winter, a<br />
time of darkness and turning inward. Our entire bodies<br />
are great representations of water since this element<br />
is the foundation of our physical makeup in the blood,<br />
fluids, and organs. We embody water especially in<br />
kidneys and urinary bladder which function to filter our<br />
body’s fluids and purify them by expelling waste.<br />
<strong>Siouxland</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> | Balance /47<br />
The strength of the connection between the Earth, its<br />
elements, and our bodies is also apparent in the herbs<br />
and foods naturally available during each season.<br />
For example, as we enter the season of spring, the<br />
sprouts and greens popping up around us are ideal for<br />
cleansing the liver. This is the largest organ of the body,<br />
its master laboratory, and storage site for essential<br />
vitamins and minerals. Thus, the high mineral content of<br />
spring greens makes them an ideal resource for a liver<br />
cleanse. The liver cleanse takes place over an eight-day<br />
cycle with seven days on and one day off.<br />
During this time, the practitioner consumes no meat<br />
with the main food source being an ancient Indianinfluenced<br />
dish, called khichuri, of sprouted greens or<br />
lentils and warming spices like cardamom, cinnamon,<br />
and garlic. Throughout the liver cleanse, the practitioner<br />
also takes tea with herbs that provide a high mineral<br />
content such as nettles, dandelion leaves, and milk<br />
thistle. Since the liver cleanse utilizes greens with<br />
relatively small particles and low toxicity, the body can<br />
easily digest and process them. The warming spices<br />
help further stimulate digestion while the herbs target<br />
and heal the liver specifically by helping to detoxify it<br />
and replenish mineral storage.<br />
In order to assist the liver cleanse process, the practitioner<br />
can also take mineral baths with warming herbs like<br />
yarrow, ginger, elderflower, or basil. Ginger especially<br />
can draw a strong healing response by stimulating a<br />
low-grade fever, which can help the body rid itself of<br />
old waste and latent illness. The practitioner can deepen<br />
the liver cleanse further by receiving lymphatic or deep<br />
tissue massage, which has detoxifying effects.<br />
After the initial seven days of the cleanse, the practitioner<br />
takes one day “off” on the eighth day by fasting,<br />
consuming only vegetable broth, and beet or carrot<br />
juice. After the eighth day, it is time for the practitioner<br />
to finally break the fast, but gently! It is best to start<br />
with a small, clean-ish meal, even though the craving<br />
for a greasy burger and fries may be strong. Cleansing<br />
The fresher the herbs, the stronger the tea!<br />
the liver in this way can have profound healing effects,<br />
especially if the practitioner adheres strictly to the food<br />
and herbal prescription. However, great liver healing<br />
can still take place when the practitioner simply finds a<br />
degree of the cleanse during spring that suits their own<br />
needs and availability. For example, simply incorporating<br />
the buffer tea and mineral baths during spring can be<br />
simple yet strong ways to find liver healing. Both of these<br />
resources are available for your own exploration at Mind<br />
& Body Connection.<br />
As with springtime and liver cleansing, we can also take<br />
the herbs and foods that are naturally available during<br />
the other seasons of the earthly year. By taking each<br />
season’s unique and naturally occurring offerings, we can<br />
address the healing of each vital organ of the body. This<br />
technique of the ancient Traditional Chinese Medicine<br />
practice exemplifies the profoundly strong connection<br />
we have to our Earth and its seasonal cycles. Working<br />
through this connection gives our bodies the ability to<br />
protect themselves from possible disease, be well and<br />
strong, and live fully in this one precious life.<br />
For any questions concerning seasonal cleanses and the<br />
Traditional Chinese Medicine practice, you are welcome<br />
to contact the Mind & Body Connection, and we will do<br />
our best to assist you in your own unique explorations of<br />
self-care and healing.<br />
Emily Larson, Licensed Massage Therapist, Private<br />
Yoga Instructor, Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology<br />
& Human Performance, Co-teacher of Anatomy for<br />
massage therapy students at the Bio-Chi Institute,<br />
mother to Noah.<br />
Photos Contributed by Emily Larson.
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