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The Liver & Springtime

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), spring is the season associated with the liver. It is also linked with windy weather, the color green, the emotion anger, the wood element, and sour taste.  In TCM, the liver has a tremendous role and many of its functions are similar to those described in western medicine.  Essentially, the liver stores blood, maintains the free flow of the qi and blood throughout the body, opens into the eyes, and relates to the tendons and nails.  If this organ is injured or does not function properly, the result may be: mood swings, depression, PMS, digestive disturbances, blurry vision or other visual impairments, headaches, hypertension, insomnia just to name a few.  Most patients have a syndrome that involves the liver in some way.

So, what can injure the liver, aside from obvious things like alcohol, certain drugs and viruses?  Rage and excessive anger can also damage the liver’s qi, or energy. In turn, if a person’s liver qi is already impaired, he or she may experience mood swings, depression or anger as a result. (By the way, everyone should be aware that many drugs are metabolized by the liver (including birth control).  Things like acetaminophen or Tylenol, if taken frequently or by a regular alcohol consumer, can be dangerous to the liver!)

What Can You Do To Help Your Liver?

1) Control Your Anger

Human emotions serve a purpose. Rage, however, has no place in your daily life and can make you ill in every sense of the word.  If you experience rage or frequent anger, now is the time to do something about it.  Being kind to your liver is a good place to start.  Recognize when you are feeling angry; then realize that if it persists, it will have an adverse effect on you (and possibly those around you) and try to let it go- for your own health!!!

2) Reduce Your Stress with Meditation or Yoga Practice

Any technique that helps you REDUCE STRESS is fantastic to do on a regular basis. I recommend meditation or yoga, but any other ritual (chanting, visualization, prayer, etc.) that works for you can be utilized, so long as you do it regularly. Daily practice will greatly reduce the effect stress has on your liver.

3) Eat Liver-Healthy Foods, Supplement if Necessary

There are many foods that are good for the liver. Some of them are:  green vegetables, fruits, raw vegetable juices, artichokes, dandelion, cabbage (and other cole crops), lemon, garlic, cayenne, almonds, pumpkin and sesame seeds.

The best diet for liver health is one that has little or no alcohol and is simple, such as steamed vegetables and whole grains.

Lemon juice (1/2 lemon) in a cup of hot water is beneficial to the liver.  If you drink fresh juices, try this combo: carrot, celery, parsley, ginger, cabbage. Milk thistle is a great herbal supplement to take because it is said to protect liver cells, act as an antioxidant, detoxify the liver, and promote liver cells regeneration. (The liver is a very unique organ in that it can regenerate itself even if it has been damaged.) Turmeric, schisandra, dandelion, mugwort, licorice, artichoke and other antioxidants are also helpful supplements.