Moving with the Seasons ~ A Guide to Thrive in Spring

As we shed the dark, cold, patient stillness of the Winter months we emerge into the rising energy of Spring. The days lengthen, the temperature warms, and nature glides gracefully into this new season ~ a time of rebirth, sudden expansion, and rapid growth.

In traditional healing modalities, particularly the Five Elements theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, spring is the season of the wood element. Wood governs the liver and gallbladder, the muscles and tendons, the eyes and vision, and the qualities of growth, expansion, and upward energy ~ everything that reaches toward light. Just as the outer world moves, so does the inner. We're called to release the stagnation of Winter and draw on the internal resources we've accumulated to bloom, expand, and rise, meeting the potential and possibility that this new season offers.

With the warmer days, bursting flower buds, busy bees, and the pulsing energy all around, these are some of the practices (and medicinal mushrooms, of course) we're mindful of to align ourselves with the qualities of Spring, supporting our physical, emotional, and spiritual harmony in order to thrive.

Nourish ~ Feeding the Ground

Wood needs a foundation, and the gut is where every subsequent renewal begins.

What we eat has a great impact on our energy, mood and bodily functions. Some foods are warming and restorative, while others are cooling and cleansing. As we shift from Winter to Spring, we look to add in lighter stimulating foods like brothy soups, vitamin-rich tender greens, and loads of herbs and spices. Seeing a rainbow of fresh veggies in the fridge always gets us in the mood to create something delicious. The different colours in fruits, vegetables, and herbs tell us they are brimming with incredibly beneficial phytonutrients that are so deeply nourishing.

As an extra layer add on:

• Polyphenol and antioxidant-rich berries and herbs and spices such as sage, rosemary and cinnamon.
• Cleansing foods such as lemon, dandelion or bitter leafy greens, beetroot and ginger.
• Probiotic-rich foods like cultured vegetables and apple cider vinegar.
• Prebiotic-rich foods to help lay the groundwork for a healthy microbiome like seaweed, garlic, seeds like flax, and Turkey Tail.

Turkey Tail is one of our foundational mushrooms for this season. Its beta-d-glucans and prebiotic nature feed the microbiome that everything else builds on ~ quietly supporting the ecosystem inside as the world outside wakes up.

Renewal ~ Supporting the Liver

Wood governs the liver, the organ that carries out the metabolic and emotional processing this season asks of us.

As our bodies emerge from a somewhat dormant Winter state, our detox pathways are primed to do some deep cleaning, shedding the stagnation accumulated over the cooler months and preparing us for the high-energy days of Summer.

We tune into this season of renewal and look to ways to support our liver, kidneys and lymphatic system, bringing about a better energetic flow. While Spring often sees the rise in chatter about 'detoxing trends,' our body is actually detoxing all of the time and the liver is a big part of that process. Everything we eat, breathe and absorb is processed by the liver. The skin and the liver work together to remove waste from the body, so often if there is an imbalance showing up externally ~ rashes, dull complexion, acne ~ the origin can be traced to the liver.

Rather than 'detoxing,' we like to think about offering gentle support to the liver ~ working in more light, green and vitamin-rich foods, teas like dandelion root or nettle, and from a medicinal mushroom perspective, we look to Reishi. Reishi has been shown to upregulate liver enzymes used to process and eliminate harmful substances from the body[1].

A Note on Allergies:

Reishi is also a trusted ally for anyone suffering from seasonal allergies. As a supreme immunomodulator, studies have demonstrated Reishi’s capacity to provide an anti-inflammatory and antiallergic action to help soothe the symptoms of allergies[2]. 

Bloom ~ Softness for the Transition

Spring's rising energy is a beautiful thing, but it can also feel depleting if the body doesn't have the moisture and softness to meet it. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, this is where yin comes in ~ the cooling, hydrating, restorative aspect that allows the yang of spring to rise without burning out.

Tremella is our yin bridge from Winter into Spring. Its polysaccharides hold up to 500 times their weight in water, drawing hydration through the layers of the skin and quietly supporting the moisture the body needs as we shift from winter's dryness into spring's warmth. Beyond skin, Tremella nurtures the nervous system through this transition ~ the yin that steadies the yang.

We've explored Tremella and the science behind it in depth in our Tremella journal entry if you want to go deeper.

Move ~ Tendons, Breath, Expansion

Wood governs the body's springs ~ the tendons, the muscles. And as we always say, nature leaves us clues, Spring calls us outside, into movement.

As nature puts on a show with the colours, sounds and scent of Spring in full bloom, it's the perfect time to remind our bodies that stagnant patterns can shift. It's the perfect time to get outside, tune into our bodies and look for ways to increase our movement and release stuck energy ~ walking, running, yoga, surfing, whatever it is that calls you the most.

And from a medicinal mushroom perspective, we reach for Cordyceps. Considered by ancient herbalists to awaken core energy, Cordyceps is a potent adaptogen used to support physical strength and performance ~ a beautiful mushroom to have as a companion as the body wakes into spring's movement.

Dry Body Brushing:

Dry body brushing is a beautiful complement to this. An invigorating way to rejuvenate the skin by removing dead skin cells and also mobilising the fluid beneath the skin's surface to promote lymphatic flow and increase blood circulation. The best time to dry brush is just before a shower with a natural stiff-bristled brush.

And from a medicinal mushroom perspective, we reach for Cordyceps. Considered by ancient herbalists to awaken core energy, Cordyceps is a potent adaptogen used to support physical strength and performance ~ a beautiful mushroom to have as a companion as the body wakes into spring's movement.

Envision ~ Planning and Clarity

Wood governs the eyes and vision ~ literally and metaphorically. Spring is when the plans made in winter's stillness begin to take shape.

Reflecting the surging expansion, new life and growth of the natural world, Spring can be a great time to draw on this rising energy, taking the time to ideate and plan, and bring about focused action on desires and dreams. Developing a journaling practice can help bring structure and clarity to any intentions and goals, and provide a framework to allow them to manifest.

To tap into a space of creativity we draw on Lion's Mane, a mushroom coveted for its ability to support a greater state of mental flow, focus, sharp memory recall, motivation and mood[3].

Creating literal space to allow new ideas and opportunities to come through can also be a cathartic and rewarding practice ~ it's not called Spring Cleaning for nothing. Taking the time to declutter, reorganise and rehome what no longer serves you clears the mind, creates fresh energy in your home, and makes space for the new.

If you have any practices or rituals you use in the transition from Winter to glorious Spring, we’d love to hear them! Drop as a comment below, or a note at hello@inneratlas.com.au.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can medicinal mushrooms support body and mind in Spring?

Spring is the season of the wood element in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and wood governs the liver, muscles, vision, and the body's capacity for growth and expansion. Medicinal mushrooms that support these systems are natural companions this season ~ Reishi for the liver, Cordyceps for movement and energy, Turkey Tail for the microbiome, Lion's Mane for mental clarity, and Tremella for the yin softness that carries the body through the seasonal transition.

Which mushroom is best for seasonal allergies?

Reishi is the mushroom we recommend if you or someone in your family is experiencing spring allergies. As an immunomodulator, Reishi has been shown to provide anti-inflammatory and antiallergic action to help soothe the symptoms of allergies. It also can help to support the liver, which plays a role in processing histamines and inflammatory markers ~ so the same mushroom does two jobs in this season.

Can I take multiple mushrooms together?

Yes. Many medicinal mushrooms work in synergy with each other. Many in our community build a small ritual with two or three mushrooms across the day ~ perhaps Cordyceps in the morning for energy or a Dawn Blend, Lion's Mane before focused work, and Reishi in the evening to wind down. We always recommend to start with the one mushroom you feel most drawn to, take it consistently for two to four weeks, observe any changes, and add any additional mushrooms from there.

Is Reishi safe to take daily?

Reishi has been consumed daily as a traditional Chinese tonic for thousands of years, and is generally well-received in healthy adults. As with any adaptogen, if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or on medication, we recommend checking with your healthcare practitioner before adding it to your daily routine.

Tara Seymour is the founder of Inner Atlas, an Australian medicinal mushroom brand founded in 2019.

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