Liver health tips from TCM
A liver-friendly lifestyle starts with a healthy diet and regular exercise routine. Here are some suggestions from TCM to get you started: Too much heavy, fatty or greasy food can increase the demands on your digestive system, and especially the liver and its detoxification processes so aim for a light, clean diet based on fresh seasonal produce, legumes and whole grains For the same reason, minimise your alcohol intake, and instead sip on caffeine-free herbal tea or filtered water In TCM, sour flavours are traditionally regarded as having soothing effects on the liver and stimulating benefits for stagnant liver Qi, so include tart- tasting fruit like lemons, grapefruit and Granny Smith apples in your diet, and add small amounts of vinegar and pickles to your meals
Pungent flavours are traditionally considered beneficial for liver function and for the regulation of Qi too, so sprinkle pepper on your food or cook with garlic, onion or horseradish Go easy on hot spices like chilli though - they can increase heat in the body and may trigger indigestion symptoms in some people On the other hand, foods traditionally regarded as having cooling benefits are great to include in your diet to support your liver when heat is present in the body – think celery, bean sprouts and plums, just for starters And finally, don’t be a couch potato! Exercising regularly is a great way to keep both your blood and your Qi flowing
According to TCM philosophy, liver stagnation is commonly associated with an excess of heat in the body, whichmay in turn interfere with the liver’s ability to properly perform its detoxification and purification functions. Baical skullcap is traditionally taken in TCM to disperse internal heat in the body, while also supporting the body’s natural detoxification processes. Citrus peel: Also known as chen pi, citrus peel is prepared from dried tangerine rind. In TCM, it’s traditionally taken to regulate the flow of Qi and maintain the natural detoxification functions of the liver. Citrus peel also promotes the secretion
and flow of bile, and relieves indigestion symptoms as well as excessive burping, a bloated belly, loss of appetite and uncomfortable feelings of fullness (based on its traditional use in TCM). Goji berries and schisandra: In TCM, schisandra berries are traditionally used to support the liver’s health, and goji berries are traditionally taken to strengthen it. Both herbs also have antioxidant properties to help reduce the formation of free radicals in the body. Erika Morvay is Technical Support team leader at Fusion ® Health. She has over a decade of experience in the natural health industry, and a particular passion for helping women look and feel their best.
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ISSUE 56 • 2019
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