--- title: Notes from an acupuncturist - March 2025 canonical: "https://www.acupuncturebykim.nl/en/blog/notes-from-an-acupuncturist-march-2025/" pubDate: "2025-03-28T13:01:39.000Z" updatedDate: "2025-03-28T13:01:39.000Z" author: Kim Tran description: "As Spring arrives, the Wood element brings growth but also potential frustration. Learn how to care for your Liver with cooling foods, movement, and a visit to the 'Bloei & Groei' community gardens." categories: [blog] --- ![Acupuncture by Kim newsletter image](../../../assets/images/blog/substack/31898865-bcd8-4b83-bdcd-fafc3934eff2_600x200-07a374aa57.jpeg) 🌼 🌱 As we are currently entering Spring, we are entering a season that is characterized by **rebirth**, **renewal**, and **upward energy**. It’s connected to the **Wood element** and in Traditional Chinese and East Asian Medicine (TCM) the organs **Liver** and **Gallbladder**. Just as trees and plants begin to bloom and grow, our bodies also experience a moving energy during this time. Maybe you have to urge to change things up a little bit, to create or maybe there’s some frustration? It’s important to take extra care for our Liver and Gallbladder during this time of the year. ### Spring in TCM: Liver & Wood The Liver is considered as the General manager of the Zang Fu organ system. It’s responsible for the smooth flow of **Qi (vital energy)** and **Blood**, and it plays a key role in regulating emotions, especially **anger** and **frustration**. If you’ve been feeling more irritable, restless, or emotionally charged lately, it might not just be the changing weather—it could be your Liver asking for attention. The **Wood element** embodies the energy of spring. It’s all about **expansion**, **flexibility**, and **new beginnings**. Like a tree: its roots grow deep, while its branches reach upward and outward. ### TCM tips ![Acupuncture by Kim newsletter image](../../../assets/images/blog/substack/47c36c1b-b332-4707-847c-1de6eb3a7812_198x512-b2f3d4a046.jpeg) In spring, we want to give our Liver and the wood element some extra care. The Liver meridian runs from your big toe up untill the chest. The TCM liver is an important organ when we look at the Five Spirits, it contains the soul. And it is connected to stress. Activities that we encourage that help your Liver Qi and Liver health are: **Move your body**: Stretch, exercise, and get outside to align with the upward energy of the season. The Liver meridian runs through your legs, stretching and softening your muscles and tendons prevent cramps and help with blood circulation. **Cooling foods for TCM liver**: Add more beans and **green** vegetables to your meals. Chrysanthemum tea and rose tea are cooling. **Manage stress**: Try to take it slow, to balance the wood element. When in stressful situations, take a step back. Set intentions on what you have achieved so far and what you want to cultivate. Practice mindfulness and meditation and focus on the here and now. And enjoy the outdoors when you can to fully immerse into spring and the wood element. ![Acupuncture by Kim newsletter image](../../../assets/images/blog/substack/95953a65-8b41-49dd-a1f8-f9dfed15526b_1920x1280-6b0741dd5f.jpeg) ### Bloei & Groei A way to connect to nature is by going to parcs, communities gardens or maybe just taking care of your indoor plant. But my favorite ones are the ones outdoors activities. Such as going to community gardens. It is something one of my dear clients has introduced me to and which I do need to share with you. At the **Healing Gardens** of Bloei & Groei they create a safe, soothing environment where you can slow down, open your heart and listen again to what you feel deep inside. It is a place that invites you to embrace your emotions, without judgement. It is the space to discover what really lives in you, to find yourself (again) and to give your desires space. Together with a Garden and Bloom Coach and in the warmth of like-minded women, you’ll be doing more than just gardening. **They’ll start the Healing Gardens in April! **[Sign up and become part of our Bloei & Groei Community!](https://bloeiengroei.congressus.site/mijn-stichting-bloei-groei/word-lid/personalia) ![Acupuncture by Kim newsletter image](../../../assets/images/blog/substack/28c1223b-c399-42a8-968b-517545645d34_600x200-5e03d2fe9c.jpeg) ### Now available via Treatwell One of the new additions to the clinic is Treatwell. A booking platform to book wellness sessions and treatments. You may notice an email from Treatwell to request for a review. Feel free to leave a positive review and **help more people experience the positive effects of acupuncture**. I hope you find this newsletter helpful. If you have any **questions**, **feedback** or want to say anything, please don't hesitate[ to reach out to me via email](mailto:info@acupuncturebykim.nl?subject=newsletter\&body=hi). Acupuncture by Kim is meant to be an evolving space created together with you and for you 🙏😊 Take care and hope to see you soon ☯️ X Kim Book your session Thanks for reading Acupuncture by Kim! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.