Foods to Harmonize with Springtime

Chapter 4 of the Neijing Suwen states that “During the Spring the weather and environmental conditions can affect the Liver.” So every springtime the Chinese eat some special foods that harmonize the Liver to the seasonal change.

Green Tea – is picked very early every spring. It is one of the first buds to form on the mountain trees and shrubs. The green colour is the colour of Spring and harmonizes our energy with that of Spring. Green tea is fresh, energizing, and invigorating. It breaks us free from the doldrums of Winter. Green tea is cooling and its slight bitter taste drains any excess heat that our excessive springtime energy might create.

Bean Sprouts – remind us of the sprouting life around us. Eating sprouts encourage our energy to rise energetically and harmoniously like the shooting growth of a sprout. In China they are consumed in especially large quantities during this time of year in a roll, a spring roll!

By Matthew Norick
Registered Acupuncturist and Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner