Springtime, Liver time!

Spring is here! Just like the budding leaves and excited, chirping birds. We also have this bubbling energy in the springtime like the rest of Mother Nature. In Traditional Chinese medicine, Spring is related to the Liver organ. The liver is in charge of regulating the movement of energy in the body. When we get pent-up energy, it’s called liver stagnation. We often can feel angry, frustrated, stressed, and depressed when our body and mental state gets stuck.

Now that we are 7 weeks deep in physical distancing, our Liver Spring energy might be extra stagnated this year. We can experience headaches, migraines and physical tension often more in the neck and shoulders. Women might feel like their PMS is worse right now, feeling extra moody, with breast pain and cramps before their cycle starts. Men might feel like they have extra energy to burn and may explode if they don’t expend it. 

Here are some of the best ways to cure your liver stagnation:

• Exercise! Move, run, jump. We all need to move our bodies to get balanced. Think about running outside and letting yourself be free. If you cannot go play outside to burn some energy, my favorite FREE workout app Nike Training. Stretching and yoga is also part of getting your body moving and a great way to move the energy and relieve tension daily.

 

• Nurtured by Nature. Go walk outside. A simple walk can help calm your nerves, get clarity and feed your body. Always have a window open for some fresh air. 


 

• Allergies. Yes even the liver is related to your allergies. The liver’s function is to cleanse the blood and if this process is compromised, the more susceptible allergies will be this time of year.

 

• Eat your greens. Liver is associated with the color green. All green vegetables can nourish and cleanse the liver. You can also think about adding spirulina, seaweed and green tea to your diet for an extra boost. Sour taste is also related and helps the liver, so add some lemon to your water, sauerkraut and kumbucha to your diet.

 

• Liver cleanse? When people think of the liver, often we think of liver cleanse. Spring is the time to do it if needed. Try to reduce alcohol consumption (maybe just keep it to the weekends, this will also help to reduce the anxiety and help with sleep quality), reduce meat and increase water intake. Eat all the green cooked veggies to detoxify your liver and colon.

 

• Routine. The liver acts as an army general of the body. The liver loves routine and order. Start your day with 2 cups of warm water to kick start your metabolism before you get moving. Try making time for yourself in your daily routine , meditation, exercise and regular, relaxing meal times to increase digestive function.

 

• Sleep. Getting a good night’s sleep is the most important way to regenerate every cell in your body and to help calm your nervous system to boost your mood and immune system. Try to go to bed early (by 10pm) and try not to eat within 3 hours of bed time. 1am to 3am is Liver time, the most important time a night to be sleeping to cleanse your blood and balance your hormones.

Yours in health,

Dr. Dom