Tips for Spring

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Spring, when the new growth starts to appear on trees and other plants, is said the be the Wood time of the year, i.e. Spring is governed by the Wood Element (as opposed to Fire, Earth, Metal and Water). Each Element is also linked to a major organ system and in TCM this is the Liver and Gallbladder. Spring is therefore one of the best times to address Liver issues and to ensure that your liver and gallbladder is in optimal health. Now is the time to address this and also to assist the shift in metabolism from the quiet, slow winter mode to the more expansive and active summer mode.
This is a good time to help your detoxification and elimination systems to 'Spring clean' your body.  Most detoxification programmes focus on:
1) Opening the four channels of elimination (Lung, Skin, Intestines, Kidneys)
2) Ensuring healthy liver and gallbladder function and bile production and flow
3) Ensuring the appropriate flow and distribution of blood and lymph
Many medical systems address this in different ways. 
I usually suggest
1)Triphala - an ancient Ayurvedic cleansing formula - for removing wastes from the body through the digestive tract (it also helps the liver)
2) lots of hot mild spice tea (chai) especially fresh ginger to fire up the metabolism and digestive processes
3) Take herbs such as Urtica urens (Stinging Nettle) for helping the blood and kidneys; Taraxacum (Dandelion) for helping the liver, gallbladder and kidneys and/or Arctium lappa (Burdock) which helps the lungs, skin, kidneys and liver! 
This is a good time to take herbal bitters such as Sweden Bitters (which contains our local Aloe ferox), as bitters are cooling and not suitable for general winter use, but best for Spring and Summer and bitter substances help the flow of bile and digestion.
In addition, exercise, yoga breathing exercises, steam baths and lymphatic drainage massage will help complete a transformation to summer!