Ancient Wisdom for Liver Health: Habits, Acupressure, and Herbal Teas
Preventative care of the liver is key as we often don’t know it’s not well until disease has progressed to an advanced stage.The liver is often called the “silent organ” because it has few nerve endings. By the time symptoms of liver discomfort appear, the condition has often progressed to a more advanced stage. Chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer are major health threats. Fortunately, there are many effective ways to support liver health, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, and targeted acupressure techniques.Liver-Nurturing Herbal TeasA diet high in sugar and fat can increase the risk of developing fatty liver disease. To help reduce fat accumulation and limit sugar intake, consider replacing sugary drinks with the following two herbal teas:1. Hawthorn, Cassia Seed, and Smoked Plum TeaThis tea, made with hawthorn, cassia seeds, and smoked plums, supports fat metabolism and helps reduce fat accumulation. Hawthorn aids in digesting greasy, fatty foods, while hawthorn and cassia seeds contribute to lowering cholesterol and improving blood lipid levels. Smoked plums help counteract greasiness, relieve constipation, and nourish the liver.Ingredients: 0.35 ounces (10 grams) hawthorn0.35 ounces (10 grams) cassia seeds2 smoked plumsPreparation: Place the ingredients into 34 fluid ounces (1000 milliliters) of water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Serve warm and enjoy.2. Kuan-Sin-YinKuan-Sin-Yin is a decoction brewed with seven traditional Chinese herbs, known for its ability to regulate blood sugar levels, support digestive health, and nourish the liver.Ingredients: 0.28 ounces (8 grams) Salvia root (Dan Shen)0.28 ounces (8 grams) White Atractylodes rhizome (Bai Zhu)0.28 ounces (8 grams) Astragalus root (Huang Qi)0.14 ounces (4 grams) each: Poria (Fu Ling), licorice root (Gan Cao), ligustrum fruit (Nu Zhen Zi), patchouli (Huo Xiang)Preparation: Place all ingredients into 34 fluid ounces of water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for five minutes. Serve warm and enjoy.This tea has a fragrant, sweet flavor and is suitable for daily enjoyment. It can also be cooked with chicken to create a nourishing chicken soup with added health benefits.Simple Daily Habits for Liver HealthLiver health is closely tied to daily habits. To protect the liver, avoid harmful behaviors such as overworking, staying up late, smoking, and drinking alcohol. Following a consistent routine and giving your body sufficient time to rest and detoxify are equally important. Here are some simple habits to help support liver health:Maintain a Regular Sleep ScheduleThe liver and gallbladder are vital organs for detoxification. During sleep, they work to repair and detoxify the body. According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), a large amount of qi (energy) and blood flows to the liver and gallbladder between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m., making this the ideal time for liver detoxification.Additionally, the liver and gallbladder are believed to have a strong connection to eye health, and going to bed before 11 p.m. helps the eyes rest and recover properly.Failing to sleep during this critical period deprives the liver of much-needed rest, increasing the risk of liver-related diseases.Give Your Eyes Regular BreaksIn TCM, the eyes are viewed as a reflection of liver health. Excessive eye strain, including prolonged use of computers, TVs, or smartphones, harms the eyes and depletes the liver’s energy.Related Stories10/19/2023To counter this, taking advantage of spare moments, such as during commutes, to rest your eyes by closing them and practicing deep, mindful breathing is recommended. This simple habit allows the eyes and liver to recover and recharge, supporting liver function and preserving eye health.Incorporate Walking Into Your Daily RoutineBrisk walking can boost metabolism and blood circulation and strengthen heart and lung function. Additionally, it helps burn both subcutaneous and visceral fat, improving fatty liver.A systematic review and meta-analysis involving 551 participants found that exercise significantly reduces liver fat in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Specifically, engaging in 150 minutes of brisk walking per week—just 22 minutes a day—can significantly improve NAFLD symptoms.The Link Between Emotional Well-Being and Liver HealthEmotions play a significant role in liver health. The ancient Chinese medical text “The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine (Huangdi Neijing)” notes that anger can harm the liver, and liver disorders can, in turn, lead to irritability. Maintaining emotional balance is therefore crucial—try to avoid constant stress, low moods, anxiety, irritability, or overreacting to minor issues. These negative emotions can cause liver qi stagnation and, over time, may lead to liver damage.Spending at least 30 minutes a day in quiet meditation is a simple way to calm the mind. Meditation helps restore balance to the nervou
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Preventative care of the liver is key as we often don’t know it’s not well until disease has progressed to an advanced stage.
The liver is often called the “silent organ” because it has few nerve endings. By the time symptoms of liver discomfort appear, the condition has often progressed to a more advanced stage. Chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer are major health threats. Fortunately, there are many effective ways to support liver health, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, and targeted acupressure techniques.
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Liver-Nurturing Herbal Teas
A diet high in sugar and fat can increase the risk of developing fatty liver disease. To help reduce fat accumulation and limit sugar intake, consider replacing sugary drinks with the following two herbal teas:1. Hawthorn, Cassia Seed, and Smoked Plum Tea
This tea, made with hawthorn, cassia seeds, and smoked plums, supports fat metabolism and helps reduce fat accumulation. Hawthorn aids in digesting greasy, fatty foods, while hawthorn and cassia seeds contribute to lowering cholesterol and improving blood lipid levels. Smoked plums help counteract greasiness, relieve constipation, and nourish the liver.- 0.35 ounces (10 grams) hawthorn
- 0.35 ounces (10 grams) cassia seeds
- 2 smoked plums
2. Kuan-Sin-Yin
Kuan-Sin-Yin is a decoction brewed with seven traditional Chinese herbs, known for its ability to regulate blood sugar levels, support digestive health, and nourish the liver.- 0.28 ounces (8 grams) Salvia root (Dan Shen)
- 0.28 ounces (8 grams) White Atractylodes rhizome (Bai Zhu)
- 0.28 ounces (8 grams) Astragalus root (Huang Qi)
- 0.14 ounces (4 grams) each: Poria (Fu Ling), licorice root (Gan Cao), ligustrum fruit (Nu Zhen Zi), patchouli (Huo Xiang)
Simple Daily Habits for Liver Health
Liver health is closely tied to daily habits. To protect the liver, avoid harmful behaviors such as overworking, staying up late, smoking, and drinking alcohol. Following a consistent routine and giving your body sufficient time to rest and detoxify are equally important. Here are some simple habits to help support liver health:Maintain a Regular Sleep Schedule
The liver and gallbladder are vital organs for detoxification. During sleep, they work to repair and detoxify the body. According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), a large amount of qi (energy) and blood flows to the liver and gallbladder between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m., making this the ideal time for liver detoxification.Additionally, the liver and gallbladder are believed to have a strong connection to eye health, and going to bed before 11 p.m. helps the eyes rest and recover properly.
Failing to sleep during this critical period deprives the liver of much-needed rest, increasing the risk of liver-related diseases.
Give Your Eyes Regular Breaks
In TCM, the eyes are viewed as a reflection of liver health. Excessive eye strain, including prolonged use of computers, TVs, or smartphones, harms the eyes and depletes the liver’s energy.To counter this, taking advantage of spare moments, such as during commutes, to rest your eyes by closing them and practicing deep, mindful breathing is recommended. This simple habit allows the eyes and liver to recover and recharge, supporting liver function and preserving eye health.
Incorporate Walking Into Your Daily Routine
Brisk walking can boost metabolism and blood circulation and strengthen heart and lung function. Additionally, it helps burn both subcutaneous and visceral fat, improving fatty liver.The Link Between Emotional Well-Being and Liver Health
Emotions play a significant role in liver health. The ancient Chinese medical text “The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine (Huangdi Neijing)” notes that anger can harm the liver, and liver disorders can, in turn, lead to irritability. Maintaining emotional balance is therefore crucial—try to avoid constant stress, low moods, anxiety, irritability, or overreacting to minor issues. These negative emotions can cause liver qi stagnation and, over time, may lead to liver damage.Supporting Liver Health with Acupressure
The liver plays a crucial role in the body’s immune system, and a decline in liver function can weaken immunity. By strengthening overall immunity, you can also help protect the liver. The Quchi (LI11) and Zusanli (ST36) acupoints are commonly used to enhance immunity, and massaging them regularly can benefit liver health.
Location of the Quchi acupoint. The Epoch Times
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Location of the Zusanli acupoint. The Epoch Times
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Pressing the Shenmen (HT7) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) acupoints has a calming effect on the mind and promotes sleep, which benefits liver health.
Note: Avoid stimulating the Sanyinjiao acupoint during pregnancy, as it may induce labor.
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Location of the Shenmen acupoint. The Epoch Times
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Location of the Sanyinjiao acupoint. The Epoch Times
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A Clinical Case Study
A liver cancer patient was admitted to a palliative care ward after becoming too weak to walk. According to TCM, conditions such as liver cancer, cirrhosis, fatty liver, and liver tumors are often linked to stagnant blood trapped in the liver.Drawing from treatment methods detailed in the ancient Chinese medical text “The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine (Huangdi Neijing),” I performed a needling procedure on the Dadun acupoint near the big toenail of his left foot. A small amount of blood, roughly the size of a soybean, was released. Following this, the patient’s symptoms showed noticeable improvement.
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Location of the Dadun acupoint. The Epoch Times
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This technique involves contralateral therapy, in which treatment is applied to the opposite side of the body—meaning the right side is treated when the left is affected, and vice versa. Since the liver is located on the right side of the body, I performed bloodletting by needling the Dadun acupoint on the patient’s left foot. However, it is important to note that needling and bloodletting should only be performed by a trained professional and must not be attempted without proper guidance.
Note: While some herbs mentioned in this article may be unfamiliar, they are generally available in health food and Asian grocery stores. It is important to note that treatment methods may vary depending on the individual. Please consult with a health care professional for a specific treatment plan.
