Liver Health In Traditional Medicine

How to nourish the liver in daily life? The liver is extremely fragile, and many young people’s unhealthy habits today often harm the liver. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the liver has the functions of “governing dispersion, governing tendons, and storing blood,” indicating that the liver is closely related to the smooth flow of qi and blood, emotional regulation, and the activity of tendons and bones.

Four things that harm the liver! How many are you guilty of?

Irregular sleep schedule

Staying up late is a common problem for modern people and is also the most harmful habit to the liver and gallbladder. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the best time for liver and gallbladder health is during the Zi-Chou hours (23:001:00; 1:003:00). Therefore, it is best to go to bed before 11:00 PM so that the liver and gallbladder can replenish blood during their peak hours.

Anger damages the liver

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that “anger damages the liver.” When a person is angry, the qi rises against its normal direction, and blood follows the movement of qi, thus harming the liver. Since the liver prefers to disperse and expand, if anger is not released in time, suppressed anger can lead to liver qi stagnation.

Prolonged screen time harms liver blood

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the liver is associated with vision, and the function of vision depends entirely on the nourishment of liver blood. Many modern people work in front of computers all day, and after work, they keep using their phones. Excessive screen time will inevitably deplete liver blood, leading to symptoms such as dryness, irritation, and redness of the eyes.

Uncontrolled diet

With the improvement of living standards, there are more and more food enthusiasts around us. Long-term consumption of high-fat, high-protein foods, combined with drinking habits, makes various metabolic diseases very likely to occur, such as hyperuricemia, fatty liver, and obesity.

Tips from Traditional Chinese Medicine: Nourishing the Liver in Daily Life

Pay attention to rest and reduce consumption

If suffering from liver disease, liver function will decline day by day. If rest is not taken seriously, liver cells will be difficult to repair, which may lead to aggravation of the condition or even chronicity. Whether suffering from liver disease or not, if rest is not taken seriously, the burden on the liver will definitely increase. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to rest and balance work and rest.

Cultivate one’s moral character and avoid depression and anger

Maintaining a calm mood, peaceful emotions, and smooth emotional regulation are essential for liver health. Patients with liver disease should remind themselves to let go. Family members should also provide caring and attentive care to avoid stimuli that may cause emotional fluctuations, which may induce symptoms such as insomnia, rib pain, epigastric pain, and loss of appetite in patients.

Control diet for a healthy lifestyle

Do not overeat at each meal, maintain seven-tenths fullness. Avoid eating too many foods containing preservatives and pigments, as this will increase the detoxification burden on the liver.

Exercise appropriately to promote liver qi flow

Moderate exercise can promote smooth qi circulation, smooth liver qi, and a happy mood. Activities such as walking, jogging, Tai Chi, and practicing the Eight Section Brocade are suitable for a wide range of people, and everyone can give them a try.

Tap the liver meridian to eliminate toxins

The liver meridian, also known as the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian, has 14 acupoints on each side (a total of 28 acupoints on both sides). Every morning after waking up, you can use your hands to tap along the inside of the thigh along the position of the inner seam of your pants. If a certain area feels particularly painful, it indicates the accumulation of toxins in that area, and it can be tapped more often.

Tips from Traditional Chinese Medicine: Herbal Diet Therapy for Liver Nourishment

The traditional Chinese herbs for nourishing the liver are mostly commonly seen dietary medicinal materials in daily life.

Goji berries

Goji berries have the functions of nourishing the liver and immune regulation. They taste sweet and can nourish the liver and kidneys, and improve liver and eyesight.

Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza)

Danshen can improve microcirculation in the liver, reduce blood viscosity, promote blood circulation, improve the ischemic and hypoxic state of the liver, and have a certain effect on nourishing the liver.

Cassia seed

Cassia seed is cold in nature and has the effects of clearing the liver and improving eyesight, as well as moisturizing the intestines. It can improve symptoms such as swollen and painful eyes, redness, and excessive tearing, and prevent weakening of vision.

Note: Use with caution for symptoms of yang deficiency such as diarrhea and aversion to cold.

Mulberry leaf

Mulberry leaf has the effects of dispelling wind and heat, clearing the lungs and moistening dryness, and clearing the liver and improving eyesight. It also has the therapeutic effects of dispelling wind and heat colds, lung heat coughs, dizziness, headache, red eyes, and blurred vision.

Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle has a broad-spectrum antibacterial and heat-clearing and detoxifying effects, and it is used to treat symptoms such as colds, headaches, red eyes, and deafness. Brewing honeysuckle and chrysanthemum together as tea also has a good effect on clearing heat and improving eyesight.

Incorporating these tips from traditional Chinese medicine into your daily routine can greatly contribute to liver health and overall well-being. By paying attention to lifestyle factors such as sleep, emotional balance, diet, exercise, and incorporating herbal remedies, you can support your liver’s vital functions and promote longevity. Remember, small changes in daily habits can make a significant difference in your liver health over time. Here’s to nurturing your liver for a healthier and happier life!