Spring Cleaning Starts With Your Liver
Spring has sprung. As you clear through old clothing and items in the attic or garage, shaking off the general
heaviness of winter, it’s also the perfect time to move any stagnation of energy in the liver. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), spring is liver time and it’s the perfect time to support its many complex functions.
What to expect if we support the liver well?
Allergies improve
Sleep better and through the night
Clearer skin
Smooth digestion
Energy and mood improves
Hormones are in better balance
Here are some of my favourite ways to support liver function:
Avoid over-consumption of alcohol
The liver is a detoxing organ. Alcohol increases the demand on the liver and can slow its function, especially in large amounts. If you’ve avoided that hangover, your liver is free to do other things for you!
Castor oil
This is Grandma’s oldest remedy! And I’m not talking about taking it internally. Castor oil is a fantastic way to improve circulation when used topically over joints, muscles AND over the liver. An easy way to do this is rub a thick layer of castor oil over the lower ribs on the right side (where the liver is), cover with an old towel and apply a hot water bottle for about 20-30 minutes a few times per week. This draws circulation to the area and flushes the liver, improving digestion and detoxing the body of anything that is in excess.
Lemon water
Generally this is a great way to start the day, particularly hot water and lemon because this allows priming of the digestive tract for the day. I love it also before EVERY meal because this sends a signal to the gut and the brain that digestion is needed and liver function is best when the gut is not backed up, but flowing freely.
Organic fresh fruits and veggies, particularly cruciferous
Eat your broccoli, eat your cabbage, eat your kale, eat your cauliflower, eat your brussel sprouts, eat your bok choy, etc. Cruciferous vegetables provide the liver detox pathways with essential phytochemicals to help clear waste from the body. Organic is important because, like alcohol and some medications, pesticides and herbicides wreak havoc on the gut and burden the kidneys and the liver, because they need these organs to show them the way out.
Stress reduction
This is always a good idea. According to TCM, stress, anger and frustration cause and are a sign of Liver Qi (energy) stagnation, which in turn contributes to irritability, muscle tension, hormone imbalances and other health concerns. Think of a traffic jam in the city. We want the energy flowing freely through the whole body and not stuck unhappily in one place.
Get the blood flowing
Getting the blood flowing through the whole body gets it moving through the liver. Get a good sweat going everyday to prevent stagnation of energy and help things flow. Things like yoga, tai chi and Qigong can help move the Liver Qi gently and powerfully.
Liver supportive herbs such as turmeric, milk thistle and dandelion root
Talk to your naturopathic or herbal healthcare practitioner about some of my favourite herbs, and others that may be right for you. Herbs such as these support the liver detox pathways in regulating inflammation and clearing toxins from the body.
TLC
Always my favourite prescription!
Particularly for supporting the liver, here are a few ideas to give your liver some tender loving care:
Abdominal massage can be very powerful because it can help move waste out of the body more effectively and help bring essential circulation to the organs
Acupuncture is very effective for moving Liver Qi
Meditation (remember in “Eat, Pray Love”, when she’s told by the guru to meditate and smile to her liver :). Do that.
Laughter and joyful activities
A joyful spring to you and your families, and lots of smiles to your liver!
Dr. Natalie Rahr practices in Vancouver BC. Contact her at info@drnatalierahr.com or 778-858-7247
