Earth Element & Spleen Qi
4 -5 MINUTE READ
Welcome.
I’m glad to have you here.
I’d like to start with some acknowledgements, and then share some nourishing things with you.
Firstly, these offerings of wisdom are based in Yang Sheng (nourishing life). They have my synthesis and way of working woven through them, and the Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and 5 Element Acupuncture this work is rooted in isn’t part of my cultural heritage. They began to inspire me 20+ years ago while I was working in a whole food co-operative which was around the same time that I was introduced to acupuncture. I’ve spent many years dipping in and out of spaces that grow, make and serve food and medicines, always making connections to the foundational knowledge that inspired me onto this meandering path of healing. I’ve applied this knowledge to life, and as the seasons pass and the yearly cycles keep moving in rhythm, I’ve carried on reading, listening, observing and learning while in contact with nature.
My intention with this piece is that you take and make use of what feels helpful to you. I know there can be many feelings and associations that can come with food and eating patterns, and this offering comes as a part of a network of tools that can support your health and wellbeing. It feels important to mention that I have tried and tested most, if not all of the offerings I share. I have tried to be thoughtful, and to bring in connections and ideas rooted in this medical tradition and nature connection to enable you to make your own choices about how to integrate what has been shared. The more inspiring, enjoyable and pleasurable something is, the more likely we might want to keep coming back to it. Let me know what you think if you would like to, I am always open to feedback.
The Earth Element and Spleen Qi
// the energy of late summer and the still moment before a season shifts into the next // the energy has peaked and is now steady // contentment // feeling steadied and stable // being able to gather everything we need to support ourselves emotionally and mentally // applied thought and intention // the feeling of a caring, nurturing hug when we need one // being part of a community that gives and receives support //
Nourishing The Earth Element And Spleen Qi In TCM
The spleen’s main role in biomedicine is involved in making white blood cells and storing and filtering blood. Within the frame work of whole systems East Asian medicine the spleen is involved with the production of qi/energy, supporting the bodies ability to absorb and put to use the nutrition it takes in physically, mentally and emotionally, in turn supporting the production of blood and embodiment. The spleen qi also holds the energy is the body upwards, and helps to hold and contain the blood. Mentally and emotionally, the spleen is involved in our ability to apply our thoughts intentionally, give and receive care, feeling steady and centred, and being connected to our needs, knowing how and where we can meet them.
With such a central and foundational role, taking care of the spleen qi can have a big affect throughout our body and life.
When the spleen qi is abundant, we have more energy to do the things we love, we keep centred when we meet the needs of others, offering nurturance rather than rescuing, and have the resources to do things we have to do when we’d rather be doing something else. Our immune system can function well, having enough of a response and flexibility to fight infection when it comes in, without too much congestion or inflammation building up. We have enough energy to hold ourselves up (and all of our organs are held up too) and our digestion functions with ease. We tend towards having more of a steady rhythm in our lives, knowing where and when different sources of nutrition will be there for us. We can think through all the work we have to do, and set about things with intention and a settled mind.
Signs And Symptoms Of Spleen Qi Deficiency
Low energy, heavy legs and possibly arms, poor quality of blood and blood deficient symptoms, craving quick release sweet foods for energy rather than planned protein sources, food allergies, difficultly getting up in the mornings, mucous and congestion in sinuses, ears, throat, lungs, urinary tract infections and heavy discharge, bloating, loose stools, mucous in the digestive tract. Inability to stop thinking, churning over the same thoughts, constant worry, cloudy thoughts and too tired to think properly.
How To Help The Spleen And Its’ Energetic Function
Pleasure and enjoyment really support the spleen, and eating foods that leave you with a feeling of ease and warm satisfaction inside. As it has a central role in digestion, eating in ways that optimise digestion will support the spleen. If food is raw, cold or straight from the fridge, your body has to invest more energy to be able to extract and use what it needs, when food is gently cooked with aromatic spices, your digestion will be able to assimilate quicker. Similarly, if there are a lot more ingredients in a meal, your body will need to do more work processing them, keeping things simpler will help build up energy.
Your nervous system would like to be in it’s rest and digest mode at meal times, think about having more ease in your body and mind while you're eating to help it on its’ way if you can, so take a comfy seat, away from work, electronic screens, difficult discussions and stressors. More of your blood and energy in the body will be focused on digesting, helping you be more relaxed, with more energy, and support the repair of your cells.
Oxytocin producing and bonding activities that can tap into spleen and earth element energy are being close to .people that you trust and care for you, being and feeling seen by people. in more intimate relationships, touch that is slow, sensual, steady and caring. kissing, rubbing feet together, and any other simple things that help you to get the feeling of being cared for, nurtured or supported in your life, like feeling physically comfortable where you are sitting, wearing clothes that you enjoy the feel of, cozy jumpers and blankets when you are feeling cool, laying on the ground outside, feeling the solidity of the earth beneath you not going anywhere, just being there, supporting your body., and also being around animals.
Giving yourself enough time and resources to think through the things you need to think about in your life will also help a feeling of steadyiness too.
Foods Which Help To Strengthen The Energy Of The Spleen Qi
- rice, oats, spelt, pumpkin, carrot, parsnip, sweet potato, squash, string bean, chestnut, corn, broad bean, red lentils, chickpeas, ham, chicken, mackerel, onion, ginger, seeds of fennel, dill and star anise, cardamom, black pepper, jasmine tea, date, cherry, fig and molasses.
Medicinal Mushrooms To Support The Spleen Qi
- Lions Mane (Hericium Erinaceus), Turkey Tail (Trametes Versicolor), Xiang Gu (Lentinula Edodes)