Metal: The Alchemist

We all carry each of the Five Elements of TCM (also known as the Five Phases) inside us, and we each have gifts and ways of being in the world that correspond to them. Often, we resonant with one phase far beyond the others. Within each of us there is a particular phase around which the others spin, the source from which our deepest impulses come forth. This could be considered our Type. I love getting at least a loose assessment of someone's type as it helps to reveal their true nature and inform us about our strengths and weaknesses. It helps to know what to pursue more of and what to avoid in the quest for more balance and self-growth. It's also fun. The fundamental archetypes of the phases are:

Fire -- The Wizard
Earth -- The Peacemaker
Metal -- The Alchemist
Water -- The Philosopher
Wood -- The Pioneer

(from Between Heaven and Earth, by Harriet Beinfield, LAc and Efrem Korngold, LAc)

Autumn is Metal season, so I wanted to go more in depth into the Metal archetype for you to learn more about this beautiful phase. The Metal archetype persona is refined, serene, tidy, meticulous, inspired, principled, and reveres beauty and ritual. She can bring together many elements with ease and turn them into something beautiful and extraordinary. The Alchemists are gifted at bringing the magical to the mundane. She is observant, efficient, organized, and holds herself and others to high standards. She seeks the perfection of form and function. Many designers, artists, religious and spiritual leaders, systems engineers, managers, architects and healers are Metal types at their core. Metal tends to love helping people. They love sharing order, knowledge, structure and the “right” way to do something, and they can be highly disciplined and focused as well. Sometimes, when Metal is imbalanced, we can be judgmental, highly opinionated, rigid, self-righteous, overly analytical, or emotionally distant and detached. There could be a challenge with releasing control or emotions with ease. To balance an abundance of Metal there needs to be social involvement, passion, spontaneity and a little bit of letting loose. All of this will help the Metal type relax and connect more deeply with people in their lives.

The Lungs and Large Intestine are organs associated with Metal, and the emotion is grief or melancholy. Breath work, earthing and time spent in nature, good elimination of the bowels, and emotional releasing are all wonderful ways to nourish Metal and keep the energy of these organs healthy. Flexibility - of the mental and physical kind - can also be key in helping Metal types stay grounded and balanced.

Spring Health: Aligning with Nature

I’m talking about spring health this week in collaboration with Neu Skin Austin - check out her post about how to nourish your skin this spring as well! Spring means Growth, Flexibility, Green, Upward and Outward motion, Movement, Expansion, Newness, Emergence, Cleansing, Renewal. We can tune in to connect with ourselves & the world by any of these actions. The LIver and Gall Bladder are associated with springtime in TCM. Doing a food or energetic cleanse is always optimal at this time. Using therapeutic foods that promote gentle detoxification like burdock root, dandelion, wheat grass, beet and beet greens; or chlorophyll rich foods like any fresh green herbs/ micro greens/ spirulina that promote cleansing but also renewal is wonderful. Sour flavors are also key - lemon, lime, apple cider vinegar, fermented and pickled vegetables. Moving your body with yoga, walking, time outdoors, rock climbing… anything you enjoy! Spend time considering your goals for spiritual and professional growth or change. Spring is a great time to start something new while we are surrounded by the expansive energy and growth happening around us. Spring is also an ideal time to consider changing or leaving anything that is no longer serving you - whether it be an exhausting job, relationship, old habit, or addiction. The Liver embodies a refined assertiveness that is timely, skillful, strategic and forceful, yet remains flexible. When this organ is out of balance we tend to see anger and frustration arise. You may also ask yourself, how could I be more flexible with myself and with others?

Most people have seen spirulina used in smoothies to add a superfood boost to their day, but I wanted to share 2 other ways (besides taking a capsule) you can use spirulina in your kitchen. This is an ideal superfood for spring. Besides mother’s milk, spirulina is the highest source of GLA-rich oils we can consume. These oils are very light for the body and increase metabolism and fat burn-off, similar to flaxseed oil. Spirulina reduces heat signs in the body and can be a key factor in building good blood quality (as in anemia), it is also very easily digestible - suitable for all body types as it is nurturing yet also offers cleansing action due to the high chlorophyll content. A super-green food for a super-green season, & a must-have in your pantry!

Spirulina Gomasio

1 Tbsp black sesame seeds

½ Tbsp white sesame seeds

1 tsp course sea salt

1 tsp dulse flakes

1 tsp spirulina powder 

Mix all components in to a small container and store in the fridge for several weeks. Use as a spice topping liberally on anything from rice bowls, veggies, salads, porridge, soups or popcorn :) 

Spirulina Salad Dressing

3 Tbsp sesame tahini

Juice 1 lemon

2 garlic cloves

1 tsp spirulina powder (or start at ½ if you’re not used to the taste)

2 pitted dates

½ cup water

¼ tsp salt

Mix all ingredients in a blender until smooth, using more or less water depending on the consistency you like. Great on salad greens, grilled veggies, grain bowls, or as a dip. 

Summer: Season of the Heart

When I think of June I always think of the beginning of long, hot summer days balanced out by a LOT of swimming in Deep Eddy or our neighborhood pools. Summer means we are moving out of Wood (Spring) and into the Fire phase of Chinese Medicine. In fact, the Summer Solstice was upon us this week on June 21st - the longest day of sunlight in the year! 

Summertime means warmth, light, activity, elation, and socializing. In Chinese medicine, summer is also the season of the heart organ, and during this season we should strive to balance the heart organ system with our food, actions, and intention.

The heart is seen as the emperor of the body, governing the blood and blood vessels, and storing our Spirit. It acts as a leader for the body and maintains order of thought and intention. If there is no order, chaos will occur and you may have anxiety, insomnia, inappropriate behavior, discomfort around people, heart palpitations, panic attacks, or stuttering. Just as blood pumped from the heart communicates with our cells, bringing them oxygen and nutrients, our heart is also responsible for social communication and thrives on love and warmth from people.

To keep the heart in balance during the hot summer months use the following foods: salads, fruits, beets, carrots, cucumbers, cabbage, melons, brown rice, tofu, celery, sesame, slightly bitter greens, or longan fruit. Eat less red meat, fats, and extremely spicy foods. Stay connected with family and friends. Balance the fire and activity of summer with enough rest and time in the water! Water balances Fire. Meditation is also a valuable tool for quieting the busy Fire-type mind.