The role of the Liver system in Chinese Medicine. What does it do and how can we support it? Dr. Cassandra Gray explains:

The liver is a crucial organ system that manages many important functions in our bodies. It is seen as the main support for keeping everything in the body moving and working smoothly. An ideal state of health includes an unobstructed flow of blood, lymph, and qi, which is supported by a healthy liver system. In Chinese medicine, any blockage of qi, movement or productivity is considered an eventual cause of disease if it is allowed to continue as a long-term state of being. Imbalance is easily observed in signs and symptoms both physically and emotionally and is especially prevalent in pain conditions, injuries and chronic stress.

The liver is also deeply involved in supporting healthy regular menstrual cycles, pregnancy and detoxification. Emotional health and naturally recovering from stronger emotions is also the livers wheel house. If your liver qi is flowing smoothly, you can move in and out of different states of emotion with more ease. The residual effects of stress leaves your body more quickly and you are able to find your center. Stress is a major cause of liver qi stagnation and can be noted when you feel frustration, stuck/pent up energy, or a tendency to sigh, groan or complain. Not getting a chance to wind down and release this stagnant energy is typically the beginning of how stress builds up and begins to affect your health negatively. Finding ways to open up your liver qi in your day to day life is an important part of long term health. What are some ways you can keep your qi flowing and your liver system happy?

Acupuncture and Herbs:

Acupuncture is one of the best ways to move and balance qi. It is a great way to support your whole body by opening the pathways to meridian systems directly and leading to resilient health. This is also one of the main reasons it is such a strong preventative health measure. Treatments once a month are a great way to keep your stress levels down, reduce your state of energetic and physical stagnation and help you feel better overall. Needling in acupuncture supports activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, builds and tonifies depletion and reconnects systems that have inadvertently disconnected due to compensation from stress. Chinese herbal remedies have a special category just to treat stuck liver qi. These herbs have been found to relieve depression, pain and frustration. They work to support the liver organ and energetics from overload.

Exercise:

Exercise moves energy, and increases circulation naturally. It is extremely healthy to move your body as it helps detoxification, replenishment and improves strength of all body tissue leading to a healthy body and mind. Exercise also activates the mind and calms it down at the same time. It is well known for producing reduced stress, anxiety and mood swings by supporting healthy brain chemistry. It can also improve sleep and helps to balance your circadian rhythms. Exercise, when done in healthy moderation and in supportive ways that your body can manage is an excellent way to support your liver system. Exercise that is especially good with working with meridians and qi flow are yoga, tai qi, walking, dancing and cardio. Balance this with weights and muscle engagement for best results. Anything can be done in excess so know your body and listen to your needs.

Qi Gong:

Qi gong is another ancient energy practice. Its focus is to feel qi and move it through your body actively and intentionally. It is like doing acupuncture for yourself but requires mental focus and practice to become efficient. There are great free online videos on the web for curious readers. I also suggest Mantak Chia for a masterful introduction. He has several books on both Qi gong and Tai chi that are excellent.

Massage Therapy and Osteopathy:

Massage therapy and physical body alignment through osteopathy are great ways to relieve stagnation in the muscles and structural tissue thereby relieving “stuckness” in the meridians as a result. They also can activate the parasympathetic nervous system to help you access natural rest and relaxation response. If you have an injury that is causing qi stagnation locally you want to free that up gently as your healing process moves along to decrease healing time and increase comfort levels. Combining acupuncture with massage or osteopathy can be an wonderful combination for health, injury recovery and emotional stress.

Healthy Diet:

When we eat well we digest better and this leads to efficient transportation of qi nutrients and energy. This is a critical support for our bodies to manage good function and liver system health. Stagnation in the stomach, intestines and middle jiao (stomach/spleen) can lead to emotional upset, discomfort, pain and general fatigue which stops the flow of qi and stagnates the whole system. It is important to support your cells with proper nutrition for health detox, function and ability to regenerate and transfer energy to the right places at the right times of need. My rule of thumb is to suggest clean sources of food as much as possible to reduce the toxic load on your liver and body. Organic foods tend to have higher nutrient quality and lower pesticide residue. It is hard to find absolutely clean sources of most foods these days but every little bit helps your body handle what it needs to do easier. Remove foods you know aggravate your system (especially processed anything), increase vegetable intake and make sure you are getting enough amino acids for muscle and brain health. Don’t forget to include healthy fats and reduce sugar intake if you have a sweet tooth and listen to your bodies feedback. Be present when you eat and make changes when it’s not working for you. Dietary needs change throughout life and phases so be open to being adaptable.

Laughing:

Laugh! Laugh more and relax! This can be an intentional daily practice. We are often too serious, too intense and take too much of our own time feeling sad or stressed. Everyone can take 5-10 minutes a day focusing on fun, laughter and lighten their hearts for some reason. We all have something we love or love to do. If I’m getting too serious I will find comedy or silly animal videos to shift my mood. This is an easy way to move qi and reset your balance simply by stopping the stress button intentionally. Balanced laughter in Chinese medicine is considered both calming and stimulating so it opens qi flow in the body naturally. You don’t have to always get help from others to make a change in your health. In fact, your focus and intent will always carry the most power to bring you the things you need. Enjoy your life and know you can shift it yourself. Have some fun!

Following your heart:

When you choose whats right for you a lot of internal stress just lifts away like magic. Don’t forget the importance of aligning your life and actions with what rings true to you. Natural states of happiness lead to healthy flowing qi and life force. Stuck liver qi is seen as a major cause of depression. Lack of flow, satisfaction, forward movement in life and personal fulfillment are all forms of qi stasis. This can be changed when you make actions that move this energy and help lift the energetic, mental and physical “stuckness”. In TCM the liver is also synonymous with the ethereal soul and your direction or purpose. That which gives you purpose, that which aligns with what you know to be right for you as a soul and when you have meaning in your life with your heart as your guide you naturally have good health. Satisfying your ethereal soul keeps your life force alive, moving and healthy. Don’t forget to listen to your spiritual tugs, and the light subtle guidance of your soul in your life. This is not just an unnecessary extra that you can live without in a serious adult life but an essential part of your longevity and path in life. Yes, it can take enormous courage to do this sometimes but in the end it is you and only you that has the power to make the changes that you truly desire. Chinese medicine recognizes the importance of your deeper happiness with you physical health and state of mind. We are not separate from our environment or our emotions.

Every part of us and each other is connected.