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The Wood Expands and Contracts: Navigating Drastic Weather Changes with Chinese Medicine


28 January 2026

The Wood Expands and Contracts: Navigating Drastic Weather Changes with Chinese Medicine

Does your body feel out of sorts during wild weather swings? One day it's blazing hot, the next it’s unseasonably cool, one day humid and one day windy and bone dry. Suddenly, you might feel stiff, achy, irritable, or like you're catching a cold. Classical Chinese Medicine has a beautiful way of explaining this, using the simple image of a piece of wood.

 

Think of Your Body Like Wood

 Imagine a plank of wood. When the air is hot and humid, the wood absorbs moisture and expands. When it’s suddenly cool and dry, the wood quickly contracts. This back-and-forth stress can cause the wood to warp or crack.

 In Chinese medicine, the Liver system is linked to the Wood element and shares this same nature. Just like wood, it’s meant to be flexible, allowing for smooth movement and adaptation. The Liver is responsible for the easy flow of energy (Qi) and blood throughout your body, especially to your tendons and muscles.

 When weather changes violently — like a 40°C day followed by a 25°C day—it’s like that stress on the wood. Your body struggles to adapt quickly. The "flexibility" of your Liver system gets challenged, which can lead to common issues:

·       Muscle stiffness or aches

·       Headaches

·       Irritability or frustration

·       Feeling "off" or susceptible to colds

·       Skin conditions

·       Poor sleep

·       Fatigue

·       Digestive disturbances

·       Respiratory issues

·       General tension

 Simple Ways to Support Your Body’s “Wood”

1. Food as Medicine

What you eat can help your body adapt.

 After a Sudden Hot Spell: Think cooling and light. Try chrysanthemum or peppermint tea, celery, or soybean sprouts.

For Sticky, Humid Days: Focus on foods that cut through dampness. Try barley soup, adzuki beans, or pumpkin. Go easy on dairy and rich, greasy foods.

  General Liver Support: Dark leafy greens (like kale or spinach) are excellent. A little sour flavour, like lemon in your water or a dash of vinegar, can also be helpful.

 

2. Daily Lifestyle Habits

 Layer Your Clothing: This is your first defence. Like wrapping a tree trunk, layers let your body adjust slowly without shock. A scarf on breezy days is especially helpful to protect your neck.

 Gentle Movement: Stretching, yoga, Tai Chi, or Qi Gong are perfect. They keep energy and blood moving to prevent stiffness, literally maintaining your body’s "pliancy."

 Manage Stress: The Liver is linked to planning and frustration. Regular routines, walks in nature, and meditation can help calm your system and build internal resilience.

 

3. How Acupuncture Can Help

Acupuncture is fantastic for helping your body reset and cope with change. It works by:

  •  Soothing the Liver system to ease tension and irritability.

  •  Releasing "Wind" to help with headaches or stiffness.

  •  Strengthening your body’s defences against external changes.

  •  Clearing dampness that makes you feel heavy or sluggish.

Think of it as a tune-up that helps your whole system adapt more smoothly.

4. The Role of Chinese Herbal Formulas

Chinese herbs are prescribed in combinations (formulas) tailored to your specific symptoms. For example:

 A formula might be used to gently push out a brewing cold after a weather shift.

 Another might ease stress-related tension and digestive upset that flares up during unstable periods.

 Others help clear the sluggishness of a damp, humid spell.

 *Always consult a qualified practitioner for an individualised prescription.

 Cultivating Your Inner Balance

 The core idea is simple: by supporting your body’s natural flexibility (its "Wood" nature), you can build resilience. You’re not just treating symptoms as they appear; you’re creating a stable inner climate that can better handle the storms—both meteorological and emotional—outside your door.

*You can safely self-medicate with adaptogenic herbs such as medicinal mushrooms – see below for information on adaptogens

What are adaptogens?

Adaptogens are natural substances that work like a smart regulator for the body. Instead of forcing a single effect, they help your systems—particularly stress response and immune function—adapt and find balance. Think of them as supporting your body's innate intelligence to dial up defence when needed, and gently calm activity when it's time to rest. These natural allies gently help our systems adapt to stress, support energy, and promote resilience from within. Among them, adaptogenic mushrooms like Reishi, Cordyceps, and Lion's Mane are particularly remarkable for their unique, time-honoured benefits. For those looking to explore this powerful category, the key is finding a source committed to purity and potency. That’s why I personally trust and use Mason's Mushrooms by Superfeast; their dedication to expertly extracted, single-origin mushrooms makes them a foundational part of my daily wellness ritual.

 Through mindful eating, protective habits, gentle movement, and with the support of acupuncture and herbs, you can help your body bend without breaking, no matter what the weather brings.

 


The Dancing Crane Acupuncture website, social media and newsletters, offers insights rooted in Classical Chinese Medicine and Holistic Health principles. This content is for educational purposes only and should not replace personalised medical advice or treatment. For tailored guidance, we recommend consulting a qualified natural healthcare practitioner or licensed medical professional.