In ancient Chinese Medicine, the spring season corresponds to the Liver and the birth of new ideas and visions. As we move fully into spring, the Liver qi needs to be able to move smoothly and without restraint, so we can bring forth our visions into reality. In our modern age, so many peoples’ Livers are encumbered by the toxic impacts of modern life- chemicals, exhaust, smoke, processed foods, excessive EMF exposure and the like, that the Liver becomes stagnant and overburdened, unable to flow the qi smoothly. The new energy and ideas that should emerge with the springtime cannot be expressed if stagnation and toxins are overburdening the Liver. Thus, gentle cleansing at the start of Spring is an important way to help enhance Liver function.
Many of us imagine that more drastic measures are required to cleanse ourselves such as coffee enemas, gall bladder flushes involving drinking pints of olive oil on an empty stomach, purgatives and fasts. However, these more excessive cleansing measures are often quite depleting to our system. As a result of the modern lifestyle coupled with a nutrient poor diet, most of us are not only stagnant,we are also deficient. Excessive cleansing can exhaust the qi and thus may not be appropriate in cases of deficiency. One teacher once told me there is no need to cleanse any organ, only provide it with the proper nourishment it needs, and that organ will cleanse and restore itself.
In Chinese Medicine, we understand each organ as having a “soul” or intelligence of its own, beyond mere physiology, that ensures the health and function of that organ. Drastic and harsh cleansing of an organ “insults” and over acts on that organs’ intelligence…we send a message to that organ that we don’t believe in its ability to do its own job. Extreme cleanses override the natural beauty and wisdom of the Liver and force it through harsh and depleting regimens in a “mind over matter” kind of way. Over time, this kind of approach can derange the qi.
In the 5 element system, The Liver corresponds to the Wood element and is controlled by Metal (corresponding to the Lungs), which is the element most concerned with purity. If we overcontrol our Wood and drive ourselves to purify it in an out of balance and overly rigid way, our Hun and Po (visionary and physical-body souls) fall out of harmony. Instead of being able to reach to the heavens to express our highest potential, the Wood element is stunted and cut down by the harsh sword of Metal.
While an out of balance Metal element is overly rigid and fanatical about purity, an in balance Metal actually does have something of value to offer us in our Spring cleansing process. Just like the minerals in the soil, Metal brings quality to Wood. Metal is the child of Earth, representing the finer, more rarified nourishment available from trace minerals and micronutrients. A plant deprived of minerals will appear unhealthy, perhaps with discolored foliage or irregular growth, whereas a flourishing plant with plenty of minerals will appear vibrant, flexible and healthy.
In this way, Metal brings quality to Wood to express its true potential. Metal can help Wood determine and know what is truly of value, and what needs to be detoxified. This can relate directly to the detoxification pathways of the Liver, which require certain minerals such as Selenium, Copper, Zinc, and Manganese in order to properly function, and thus activate the Livers own innate intelligence around purification and detoxification. From a Chinese medicine perspective, minerals also help to build the blood. Healthy blood helps to “soften” the Liver and assist it in maintaining the smooth flow of qi. A brittle, blood deficient Liver will be too rigid to spread the qi smoothly.
Thus, at the beginning of spring, a nutrient and mineral rich diet is important- we can find that in foods such as Nettle, Chlorella, Dark leafy greens- particularly Brassicas such as Kale and Collards, chickweed, dandelion leaf, parsley, and arugula. Dark leafy greens also have strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and many help to increase the production of glutathione, the master antioxidant produced by the Liver during phase 2 detoxification. Brassicas and chlorella in particular also enhance the body’s ability to detoxify dioxins and other cancer causing molecules.
So, if you’re wondering how you might support your Liver by doing a little spring cleaning, you might begin simply, by making sure your are including plenty of these foods in your diet, along with some sour foods (sour is the flavor of the Liver in Chinese Medicine). This could include Apple Cider Vinegar- time honored remedy for Liver inflammation, fermented foods like sauerkraut, kefir and miso, and citrus like lemon. In addition, simply avoiding some of the foods that put the most stress on the Liver such as sugar, refined sugar and white flours/white rice, processed foods, alcohol and caffeine, rancid low quality vegetable oils such as sunflower oil, corn oil, and canola oil, and non-organic fruits and veggies which have been sprayed, will do wonders in unburdening the Liver and helping it to detoxify naturally. Once the diet is in order, then your herbalist can work with you to prescribe herbs that specifically support Liver detox… some of the key players might include Bupluerem- particularly good for pent up emotions with ribside pain, distention, and bloating. Dandelion Root- moves the bile and promotes bowel movements , Burdock Root- excellent blood purifier useful for all sorts Liver related skin conditions and damp heat rashes like eczema , Milk Thistle- repairs damaged liver cells and promotes all phases of Liver detox, Schisandra- particularly good for repairing chemical/environmental damage to the Liver, Artichoke Leaf- for sluggish gallbladder and poor fat digestion, and Turmeric- anti-inflammatory which slows down phase 1 detox and enhances phase 2 detox, thus helping an overburdened Liver pick up the slack. These are just a few possibilities in the realm of Liver support.
It is important to remember that of all the organs, the Liver may possibly be the most sensitive to herbs- due to a phenomena called hepatic first pass, most any herb or medicine we consume is always directly processed by the Liver before entering the main bloodstream and being carried to the rest of the body. Furthermore, everyone’s Liver has a unique profile of Liver detox enzymes, part of this is genetic, part of this is determined by diet. Due to the differences in Liver enzyme profiles, different people will respond differently to the same herbs. So, get to know your Liver well, and do not hesitate to seek the advice of a trained herbalist.
May your spring unfold with peace and ease!
The statements here are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. all rights reserved, copyright 2019
