🎧 Lichun 立春 and bitters

Lichun signifies the beginning of spring 立春 and following a specific diet and lifestyle rituals to take in renewal supporting health and balance - Learn how you too can add 立春 for a happier gut.

Jordon Cabin Property, Madison North Carolina circa 1700

This week we are exploring Lichun, what that has to do with digestive bitters, the best digestive bitters and the difference between digestive and aromatic bitters. For my upgraded members, scroll down to your audio [🎧👇]for this week’s post. And, now, on to this week’s adventure.

Spending time in Madison, I kept passing by this little wooden home on a hilltop and of course the adventurous curiosity got the best of me. I drove up the grassy lane ever so gently thinking of how awful this must have been in a horse and buggy. It was a cold and blustery day, but no amount of spring’s chill could stop me.

In my mind's eye, I conjured images of a bygone era, where a family, warmed by the hearth, might have emerged to greet a neighbor in the afterglow of Sunday service. This dwelling, known as the Jordon Cabin property, bore witness to eras long past, its weathered facade holding tales untold within its humble walls.

This tiny home’s front and back door were locked, darn it! As I peered through the aged glass panes, I glimpsed a solitary room with a fireplace casting shadows upon the timeworn floor. My gaze then wandered to a window revealing a winding stair in the corner ascending to the attic, shrouded in mystery and whispers of generations past.

I sat a while and settled in to the whispering wind hoping it would share the secrets of its past. No one knows for sure when the home was built. Town gossip has it dating back to the 1700’s. Through the annals of time, it has cradled numerous families within its modest embrace, a testament to resilience and familial bonds that transcended the passage of years.

As I was reading through the history of this simple log home overlooking the thriving tobacco town of Madison, I realised, where is the bathroom? The kitchen? Or running water for that matter.

It struck me with a sense of wonder and gratitude, pondering how large families and generations had once thrived within these walls, without the comforts we often take for granted in the present day. The warming thought, looking back upon the past suddenly had me feeling grateful for the moderns of today.

Madison Historic District and Properties Commission acquired the cabin in 1998 and have worked diligently to restore the property to its mid l9th century condition.  The property is located at 211 East Decatur Street, Madison North Carolina.

Lichun 立春

Lichun, marking the “beginning of spring”, 立春 (pronounced lee chunn) in East Asian cultures, holds significant importance. In China, it heralds the transition towards the vibrant yang energy of spring, prompting adherence to specific dietary and lifestyle rituals conducive to rejuvenation and balance. Amidst anticipation for spring's bounty, commercial detox programs and supplements are notably absent - a refreshing departure, wouldn't you agree?

In the Chinese lunisolar calendar, Lichun denotes the commencement of the spring solar period, its timing varying annually based on the sun and moon's movements. Though typically observed in April, this year, festivities grace February. Detailed insights can be found in the China Travel Guide.

Embedded within each Chinese calendar year are unique features: zodiac signs, 12 or 13 months, with 29 or 30 days each, resulting in leap months and lunar years. Centuries of tradition have seen China celebrate Lichun, embracing its essence of renewal and optimism. Embarking on a season of rejuvenation, people sow seeds, observe nature's cues, and offer blessings for [🎧👇]

a prosperous harvest. Symbolizing rebirth and renewal, Lichun fosters spiritual connections and new beginnings, believed to usher in luck and good fortune.

Regional customs flavor the celebration of spring. In the North, anticipation mounts for fresh produce like Chinese toon leaves, while southerners embark on quests for bamboo shoots, heralding a return to wholesome eating after winter's scarcity. Traditional practices, such as 'biting into spring' with savory pancakes, convey hopes for a fruitful year ahead.

In the realm of beverages, teas named after seasons reflect spring's essence, offering warmth and vitality. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) underscores holistic approaches, emphasizing seasonal foods, herbs, and mind-body practices. It is believed stagnant liver qi (pronounced “chee”) can lead to anger, depression, neck tension and headaches. As spring rejuvenates the liver's qi energy, a diet rich in green vegetables and sour foods aids in liver stimulation, averting stagnation and associated ailments.

In North America, spring, means Spring. However, for health enthusiasts, it means a detoxification process, which I talked about heavily in last weeks post Detox or Drainage Which is better.

We can however, incorporate some Chinese practices, especially bitters. Bitters are an excellent way to get your qi liver flowing. It helps with digestion stagnation and can alleviate gas, bloating and constipation. You can make your own bitters or purchase ready made for quick convenience.

Bitters are available just about anywhere. However, you can also get them through your Free FullScript account. I have added the SKUs to make it easier for you to find the right bitters for you. If you need any help picking out the right one, or have problems ordering through FullScript, you can either message me or call me (623) 203.5223 or email me (hellokarenlangston@gmail.com) — be sure to add your name, email and phone number and I can not only set up an account for you if need one, I can also send you the three recommendations below for your choosing, so its easier for you to just click and have it shipped right to you. Either copy the name below and paste into the Fullscript search box or copy and paste the SKU number.

NatureWorks Swedish Bitters™ SKU NW1-10020100

This bitter formula dates back to the 15th century. It comes in an alcohol or non alcohol base with variations of herbs;

• aloe extracts

• angelica root (Angelica archangelica)

• camphor (Cinnamomum camphora)

• carline thistle root (Carlina acaulis)

• manna (Fraxinus ornus)

• myrrh

• rhubarb root (Rheum palmatum)

• saffron

• senna (Senna alexandrina)

• theriac venetian (theriac) (a mixture of many herbs and other substances)

• zedoary root (Curcuma zedoaria)

This is my favorite bitter formula, however, it is not good if you suffer from diarrhea. Do not use if pregnant or nursing, if nausea or vomiting is present. Do not use there is abdominal pain, liver disorder, IBD or taking medications or tranquilizers. Be sure to check with your qualified health care professional before use.

Floradix (Under Gaia Herbs/Professional Solutions), Gallexier Gallexier® Herbal Bitters Liquid Herbal Supplement
SKU: GAI-90J07085

This bitter alcohol formula is still produced from the same formulation produced by Salus Haus (Salus) in Bruckmühl, Germany in 1916. Ingredients include Proprietary blend (aqueous extract from artichoke leaf, dandelion leaf, gentian root, turmeric root, yarrow aerial parts, ginger rhizome, chamomile flower, bitter fennel seed, bitter orange peel, blessed thistle aerial parts, cardamom seed, bog bean leaf).

Flora Swedish Bitters Non-Alcohol SKU: FLO949-68192

Maria's Swedish Bitters, developed by Austrian herbalist Maria Treben, is a natural tonic that blends traditional herbs that have been used for generations to fill the bitter void and ease digestion. Her proprietary Blend includes; aqueous extracts of angelica root, zedoary root, cape aloe leaf, manna sap, rhubarb (Rheum palmatum) root, senna leaf, myrrh resin, carline thistle root, camphor wood, valerian root, cinnamon bark, cardamom seed, saffron flower. Do not use if you suffer from diarrhea, are pregnant or nursing, if nausea or vomiting is present. Do not use there is abdominal pain, liver disorder, IBD or taking medications or tranquilizers. Be sure to check with your qualified health care professional before use.

Herbalist & Alchemist blends David Winston’s Original Bitters™ Bitters Compound SKU: HE5-BTC4

Filled with extracts of dandelion root (Taraxacum officinale), Artichoke leaf (Cynara scolymus), Gentian root (Gentiana lutea), Angelica root (Angelica archangelica), Orange Peel (Citrus spp.), and Peppermint herb (Mentha x piperita) in an alcohol base. Do not use and be sure to consult with your qualified health care practitioner if you hyperchlorhydria, gastric ulcers, gastritis or GERD.

Why would you want to use bitters?

Adding digestive bitters about 5-10 minutes before your meals, increases digestive excretions through out the digestive system from your mouth to your bum! It gets the saliva and bile flowing, which helps with breaking down fats, lessening feelings of fullness, gas, and promoting good bowel movements. There is nothing more satisfying than a good poop!

What about Bitters for an Alcoholic drink?

Let me take you on a journey to a cozy evening at a splendid bar, brimming with the promise of a delightful dinner and a delight dinner it was indeed. Amidst the ambiance, I marveled at the array of bitters adorning the bar, only to be taken aback upon closer inspection. Some bore labels revealing a dubious concoction of sugar, food dyes, and less-than-desirable additives. While a few commendable options exist, often, these bar bitters—commonly aromatic—are designed to elevate cocktails rather than assist digestion, complicating matters further as they bear the name "bitters." Allow me to clarify:

Digestive bitters are herbal preparations primarily used to sinvigorate digestion by stimulating the production of digestive enzymes and bile, facilitating the breakdown of food. In contrast, aromatic bitters, predominantly alcohol-based infusions of botanicals, lend nuanced flavors to libations and culinary delights, prioritizing tantalizing taste bud excitement over digestive aid.

Spring Bitters

Spring's abundance of liver-stimulating foods further highlightes nature's synchronicity.  Guess what? Bitters are ripe for the picking at your nearest farmers market or grocers, as they abound in spring - coincidence? I think not!

Top spring bitters include;

• Artichoke

• Arugula

• Asparagus -white

• Brussels sprouts

• Broccoli

• Chicory

• Dandelion

• Endive

• Eggplant

• Grapefruit

• Kale

• Ginger

• Radicchio

• Lemon

• Lime

Here is a little extra tip. Freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice into water is a wonderful way to start your day. It kick starts digestion and helps keeps your digestive juices flowing. The best way to consume is with either cold or room temperature water. If you add lemon juice to hot or boiling water, you loose out on the vitamin C.

Lichun beckons a season of health and vitality, urging adoption of habits promoting resilience. Engaging in nature, cultural activities, and family reunions fosters holistic well-being, aligning mind and body with nature's rejuvenating offerings. As spring unfolds its treasures, are you ready to embrace a year of rejuvenation abundance and vitality?

Get your gut in check and feel proud about what you deposit into the loo! Have a great week!

~Karen

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*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. *These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

*The opinions in this post and audio are those of the author based on personal experience only and are not intended as medical or psychological advice. If you are experiencing symptoms that require professional treatment,  please contact a licened medical practitioner.