Growing with our Grief: Acupuncture and Working Through Grief
- firelilyacu
- Mar 7, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Dec 8, 2025
In Chinese medicine there are organ systems that connect to meridians, or energetic pathways, that cross the body in a series of acupuncture points. Keeping those systems in balance brings the body back into harmony and wellness. Each organ system is related to a specific emotion. We will discuss how grieving can affect your organ systems, and how to bring the body back into balance using acupressure and breath work. We will also explore some easy to find Chinese herbs and create a custom loose-leaf tea blend that will calm the nervous system and relax your body. If you are interested in experiencing acupuncture you are welcome to book a visit to see me in my clinic in Denver at firelilyacu.com.
Acupuncture naturally triggers the body into entering the parasympathetic “rest and digest state.” When we enter the parasympathetic state we can be free to digest food, sleep, rest, and recover. Our natural healing processes kick in. The opposite is the sympathetic response or the “fight or flight state.” Our ancestors may have been running from predators, but the stress of daily life can force us to stay in a sympathetic response. Grief can make us feel especially unsafe and vulnerable, making it difficult to reach the parasympathetic state. It can cause chronic inflammation, anxiety, insomnia, digestive disturbances, and hormonal imbalances.
Yin and Yang are important concepts in Chinese medicine. The Yin energy is restorative, feminine, and fertile. It is dark like soil and from it emerges the Yang. Yang energy is vibrant, masculine, and bright. These energies flow into one another and always contain each other in an eternal dance. With Yin and Yang in balance we are balanced in all aspects of our bodies, our hormone systems, digestion, sleep, and emotions.
Qi is the vital life force that circulates our body through the channels. Qi is the force that moves Blood and holds the Mind & Spirit. When Qi flow is blocked there can be pain, emotional instability, and hormonal imbalances. Acupuncture and herbs can help move stagnant Qi and restore deficiency to bring harmony to the biological systems of the body. To understand this vital energy we will do a Tai Chi exercise that connects you to your Qi and to each chakra.
The Five Yin Organs & Acupressure Points
Emotions affect our bodies in very tangible ways. In Chinese Medicine each of the Yin Organs is connected to a specific emotional response. Our raw emotions can create disharmony when they reach an extreme or are not fully expressed. This means that we can see how your predominant emotional state will impact your body and conversely, if we see a particular disharmony in an organ system we know what emotions will surface. Once we see the pattern we can use Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine to bring the body back into harmony. These are the five Yin Organs and their related emotions, acupressure points, and foods that can support the system. We will also look at how grief affects each organ system specifically.
Spleen - Worry: Overthinking and worry weaken the Spleen, leading to digestive disturbances and fatigue. For example, you may feel nauseous before a speaking in public, have loose stools with anxiety, or feel low energy from ruminating about a stressful situation. Grieving can cause us to get stuck in circular thinking which further drains the Spleen. When the Spleen system is in balance we are more open and trusting, with a sharp intellect, lots of energy, and healthy digestive system.
Foods to support the Spleen: sweet potatoes, rice, oats
Acupressure Point: Spleen 3, Stomach 36
Liver - Anger: Stress, the ever-present state in our society, stagnates the Liver system. Grief can put us into a fight or flight state and bring up a lot of anger as we process our emotions. You may feel irritation, frustration, or even rage, which blocks the free flow of energy and blood circulation in our bodies. When the Liver is blocked we may experience rib pain, headaches, angry outbursts, or hormonal irregularities. When the Liver is in balance we are kind, generous, and creative.
Foods to support the Liver: leafy greens, sprouts, citrus fruits
Acupressure Point: Liver 3, Liver 8
• Kidney - Fear: Kidneys are at the root chakra and govern our feelings of safety, security, and connectedness. When the Kidneys are in disharmony we may experience urinary disturbances, low back pain, knee pain, sexual dysfunction, tinnitus, infertility, and the predominant emotion is fear. Grief can put us in a fear state and negatively affect the Kidney system. When the Kidneys are balanced we are calm, secure, and vibrant.
Foods to support the Kidney: walnuts, miso, mushrooms
Acupressure Point: Kidney 3, Kidney 1
• Lung - Grief: Depression and sadness can deplete the Lung system and lead to shortness of breath, low immunity, chronic cough, sinus congestion, and excess sweating. Grief is the primary emotion of the Lungs and when we are feeling down it can create an emotional numbness which makes it difficult to connect to others and further depletes our immune systems. When the Lungs are balanced we are courageous and focused with the ability to find deep connection with others.
Foods to support the Lung: pears, ginger, radish
Acupressure Point: Lung 1, Lung 9
• Heart - Overjoy: Overjoy is joy that has crossed into mania and anxiety. You may experience heart palpitations, insomnia, vivid dreams, a heavy or tight chest, or panic attacks. The Heart is the emperor of the mind and spirit, so it can be sensitive to any of the organ disharmonies, especially grief. When the Spirit is disturbed it is difficult to maintain close relationships with our loved ones and ourselves. When the Heart is in balance we are loving and happy, with an expansive mind and spirit.
Foods to support the Heart: dark chocolate, beets, adzuki beans
Acupressure Point: Heart 7, Pericardium 6
In my practice I find that balancing the emotions is necessary to treat any health condition. Pain, insomnia, digestive issues, sexual health, you name it. Balancing the emotional body balances the physical one.
Blending an Herbal Tea for Emotional Wellbeing
Flowers are known to be calming and grounding in many cultures. There are many flowers in the Chinese herbal pharmacy that can be blended mindfully to soothe the nervous system and calm the mind and body. We will balance the light floral tones with licorice root and green tea. Here are the benefits of each herb we will blend today:
Rose - Mei Gui Hua: This herb is uplifting and used as a natural antidepressant. It calms and lifts the Spirit, clears Heat and inflammation, and moves Qi and Blood to regulate the organs and restore emotional wellbeing.
Jasmine - Mo Li Hua: This flower balances the emotions, lifts the Spirit, calms digestion and detoxifies the blood. It is great to alleviate body aches and regulates Qi flow in the body. Jasmine cultivates purity, spiritual awakening, and love.
Chrysanthemum - Ju Hua: This herb clears Heat and calms the Spirit and alleviates anxiety. This flower is amazing at clearing red, teary eyes and brightening the vision.
Jade Cloud Green Tea - Lu Cha: Green tea detoxifies the body and cools the Liver, while quenching thirst. It is full of antioxidants that are anti-aging properties that help the mind stay focused and clear with productive energy.
Licorice Root - Gan Cao: This root promotes longevity, balances blood sugar while adding a sweet flavor to the tea. It tonifies Qi and calms anxiety while detoxifying the Blood.
Honey - Feng Mi: This herb is a Qi and Yin tonic that detoxifies while replenishing moisture. It boosts the immune system while lifting the Spirit.
Dr. Sakshi Mears is a Licensed Acupuncturist and Doctor of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine. She has been in private practice since 2017 and currently has a clinic in the Wash Park neighborhood of Denver on Old South Gaylord Street. Sakshi specializes in holistic wellness and can treat any health condition using a combination of therapies including acupuncture, herbal medicine, cupping, moxibustion, bodywork, CBD, and natural supplements. Patients come in for emotional wellness, pain, migraines, digestive disorders, fertility, hormonal regulation, menopausal symptoms, allergies, immune system support, and much more. Sakshi is also a yoga teacher specializing in hot yoga and prenatal yoga and has owned a tea shop and apothecary for many years. Learn more about Dr. Mears at firelilyacu.com.