We cannot isolate any one organ in the body and focus on it alone because everything is interconnected. However, there is one specific organ that impacts so much of the physical and emotional health. In Chinese medicine, the health of the liver is considered representative of the health of the entire body and springtime is the season to pay special attention to it.
How can you tell if your liver needs attention? Among its many functions, the liver is responsible for the conversion of foods into life sustaining substances and the transformation of toxins into harmless chemicals for elimination. But that is not all. The liver plays a major role in metabolic regulation, transforming macronutrients into energy supporting nutrients. It also stores extra blood and glycogen to be released on demand. It manufactures bile that aids in the digestion of fats. It is responsible for detoxifying the body. The liver is responsible for processing medications, chemicals, and hormones to be neutralized or eliminated. This organ is also related to emotional stability, especially in Chinese medicine.
When the liver is compromised it starts to manifest symptoms. These include but are not limited to: fatigue, depression, mood swings, PMS, digestive problems, high cholesterol, pain, allergies, acne, skin disorders, blood sugar imbalances, headaches, hormonal imbalances, high blood pressure, nausea, bloating, constipation, difficulty losing or gaining weight, weakened immune system, and brain fog.
The food you eat along with your dietary habits have a huge influence on your health and your liver. Your diet can either be supportive or detrimental to your liver. Everything you put into your mouth has to be processed through your liver. A major task of the liver is to detoxify substances that move through your system. Managing your diet can go a long way to supporting your liver health. Conditions such as cancer, hormonal imbalances, depression, anxiety, immune health, poor digestion, skin conditions and more are treated by enhancing liver health.
This applies to emotions as well. Anger, frustration, criticism, and other negative emotions over time impact the health and function of your liver. Keeping a positive mindset and emotional reactions in check benefit the liver. Practicing stress management is also important. Stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol must be processed through the liver to be neutralized and eliminated. Too many stress chemicals in the body can end up being stored in the liver and will contribute to emotional imbalances such as depression and anger, later turning into stress related diseases like cancer and heart disease.
The good news is that the liver is also very forgiving. It can regenerate itself with proper self-care. Doing a liver cleanse at least twice a year is extremely beneficial as it takes the toxic load off the liver and allows it to regenerate. There are many ways to do a liver cleanse. It is important to work with someone who is trained in detoxifying the body to find the right cleansing path for you.
There are also other basic things you can do to support your liver function on a daily basis:
- Drink plenty of water – half your weight in ounces.
- Start your day with a cup of hot water and fresh lemon.
- Increase your intake of fresh vegetables, especially bitter greens.
- Add essential fatty acids to your diet.
- Limit your sugar intake.
- Avoid overeating.
- Get regular exercise, 20-30 minutes a day is ideal.
- Improve the quality of your emotions – increasing joy, compassion, peace, and love.
- Support your digestion with digestive enzymes.
- Use herbs that support liver function.
If you are experiencing any symptoms of a compromised liver, please reach out for help. Over time, if you do not address the symptoms, they can contribute to cancer, PMS, heart disease, migraines, hormonal imbalances, allergies, fatigue, immune dysfunction, and chronic pain. If you have a lifetime of toxins accumulating in your liver, know that they will not clean out completely in a single cleanse or even in a week, but it is a great start. Liver cleansing is most often practiced in the spring, but it can be done at other times of the year as well. And while a liver cleanse may not solve all your problems, it is a huge step in reducing the burden on the liver and improving the overall health of your body.
If you want to learn how to cleanse your liver and improve your health, reach out to me here:
