This is the time of year when we are likely to give our liver a workout with all the extra food and alcohol that we consume during the festive season. Here are 3 signs that your liver is not happy:
- your eyes are not bright
- you are moody
- digestion issues
In terms of Chinese medicine, the liver is responsible for ensuring that everything is moving properly within the body. In Chinese this is called “shu xie”, literally meaning ‘to flow’ and ‘to let out’. If the liver is overloaded, these processes slow down and become sluggish.
What can we do?
- Lemon juice every morning – it works. But it must be every morning.
- Mint tea with fresh ginger – the liver loves it & it’s yum!
- Food is medicine – the liver is a Wood element organ that is associated with Spring so we should eat lightly to cleanse it. We want to eat foods that move the energy of the body outwards, in the same way that a plant and flower reaches upwards and outwards as it grows during Spring. Examples are onions, basil, turmeric, cardamon, fennel, ginger, mint, apple cider, vinegar, asparagus, citrus peel.
- Reduce your intake of foods high in saturated fats such as meats, cheese and creams.
- Acupuncture – it unblocks the channels to restore flow of energy throughout the body.
- Exercise – the liver loves movement to invigorate the Qi so move your body daily (for those of you who haven’t been to my new clinic in Cammeray – I am located at the premises of Jump Start Outdoor Training with a bunch of wonderful personal trainers! www.jumpstartoutdoor.com.au)
So, let’s enjoy ourselves during the festive season but also give our liver a thought and create an “inner Spring” full of vitality.