Spring + Liver Health

"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished." - Lao Tzu, Chinese Taoist philosopher

Spring is considered a time of renewal for the seasons, mind, body, and emotions. Associated with the spring season and Wood element is the liver, an organ closely connected with the flow of qi in the body. The liver is responsible for bodily functions like detoxification, bile formation and secretion, digestion and metabolism, protein metabolism, regulating hormones, and various other important functions. Liver stagnation can cause problems like neck and shoulder tension, chest tightness, teeth grinding, eye issues (especially in right eye), feeling hot all the time, fibroids, prostate inflammation, hip pain, toenail discoloration, waking up between 1 and 3 am, digestive symptoms, PMS, migraines, poor sleep, irritability, impatience or frustration, anger, or feelings of being stuck in one’s life.

Spring is an ideal time to detox your liver to support your overall health and emotions. The word detox can imply that extreme measures need to be taken, but taking this kind of action is actually hard on the body and can cause negative detox symptoms. Practices like scalp massage and combing, daily movements like walking, qi gong or yoga, eating in season, addressing stored emotions, and castor oil packs are all holistic practices that encourage good liver blood movement and relieve stagnation symptoms. The idea is to support your liver in gentle ways that flow with the slow transition to spring. For severe cases of liver illness, seek professional help to be prescribed the best course of treatment.

Scalp Massage and Combing

Scalp massage is an ancient TCM and Ayurvedic practice that involves using a wood comb or brush to gently massage the scalp. Because there are 60 acupressure points and many meridians along the scalp, this practice relaxes the mind, increases blood and oxygen flow, opens blocked channels in the head, increases qi flow, and encourages hair growth. The gallbladder meridian curves behind the ear and down the neck. An imbalance of the gallbladder meridian can result in poor quality of sleep, lack of confidence, and pain in the rib area. Because the functions of the liver and gallbladder are closely related, an imbalance of the gallbladder can affect the liver. Scalp massage is a gentle way to open energy flow along the meridian and bring the body closer to well being. The best tool to use is a wood comb, because according to the Chinese theory of the 5 Elements, wood regulates earth, which is the element associated with skin. Wood is also gentle enough to effectively activate acupoints without scraping the skin.

Gentle Exercise

Exercises like yoga, qi gong, and walking can relieve liver stagnation by increasing blood flow, improving circulation, reducing stress, and regulating blood sugar. In TCM, it is not about how hard or long you workout, but is about consistency. Working out regularly moves qi energy throughout the body, unblocks anything stagnant, and restores proper energy flow to the body. Liver qi stagnation can be caused by a sedentary lifestyle, stress, or a lack of blood flow, but working out 4-5 times a week can increase energy and blood flow in the body. Symptoms of over exerting yourself in a workout include fatigue, headaches, inability to focus, or lightheadedness, and signal that your workout is not as beneficial as it could be. Yoga, qi gong, and walking are all gentle workouts that reap all the benefits of a workout without the negative side effects. Slow and gentle movements aid the body without over exerting it.

Eating in Season

Eating in season and liver friendly foods is an effective way to support your liver while detoxing. Avoiding foods that inflame the liver, while supplying it with foods that the liver can easily process will allow the liver to function at a higher level, instead of being overworked. Along with eating fruits, vegetables, and grains that are in season, there are certain flavors and foods that suit the wood element, and support the liver. Pungent tastes like ginger, peppers, clove, garlic, clove, and allspice increase heat and digestive action in the liver. Bitter and sour foods like green tea, lemon, bitter leafy greens, zucchini, guava, pomegranate, green papaya, green apple, and herbs like parsley, dill, and mint purge the liver and increase the flow of bile to help with cleansing and elimination. Seasonal foods like artichoke, eggplant, dark leafy greens, celery, green onion, cilantro, tangerine, rhubarb, kiwi, eggs, chicken, shrimp, and brown rice will be easier for your body to digest, allowing the liver a break from working too hard. Avoid alcohol and spicy foods in excess.

Processing Emotions

Every organ has an emotion associated with it, and anger, frustration, and impatience are associated with the liver and gallbladder. These emotions can be the trigger or symptom of an imbalance in the liver, and while the emotions themselves are not inherently problematic, the repression or inward expression of these emotions can have negative somatic results. When approached with compassion, curiosity, and patience, processing feelings of anger or frustration can have an upward momentum, allowing for growth and acceptance. Because spring is the time of upward growth and expansion, it is the perfect time to address any stored emotions that might be liver qi. Ways to process emotions include lifestyle changes, movement, social connection, speaking your truth, creativity, relaxation, and rest.

Castor Oil Packs

Castor oil is a vegetable oil pressed from castor beans, and has many medicinal uses, like castor oil packs. The use of castor oil packs to aid in liver detox is an ancient practice that helps support optimized liver function, improve detoxification and hormonal balance, and to reduce inflammation in the liver. A component of castor oil, ricinoleic acid, is known to help the body rid itself of excess toxins. It is recommended to use a castor oil pack 1-2 times/week to help support the liver if dealing with hormonal imbalance, detoxification issues, or fatty liver. When treating the liver, place the pack directly over the liver, on the right side just below the rib. Often used overnight, castor oil packs are beneficial during the hours of 1-3 am, which is considered the time when the liver is most actively detoxing and is highly active. Waking up during this time might signal that your body is ready to detox and needs extra support.

Allow your body to relax into the changing season by making small changes to your routine to support your body gently. Stimulate acupressure points and the gallbladder meridian through massage, add movement to your day, eat foods that are anti-inflammatory and encourage liver detoxification, process any stored emotions, and use castor oil packs to aid in liver detoxification at night. Gentle changes can have a significant and positive impact.

Resources

Fries, Hannah. “Your Liver, Your Emotions and the Flow of Qi”. Retrieved from https://mydaolabs.com/blogs/the-way/what-is-liver-qi-stagnation.

Kramer, Warren. “Love Your Liver: Lessons From Chinese Medicine (TCM)”. Retrieved from https://nutritionstudies.org/love-liver-lessons-chinese-medicine-tcm/.

Mischke, Michelle. “Love Your Liver: An Ayurvedic Guide to Fostering Liver Health”. Retrieved from https://www.banyanbotanicals.com/info/ayurvedic-living/living-ayurveda/health-guides/love-your-liver/.

Stills, Sharon. “How to add a castor oil pack to your liver detox”. Retrieved from https://www.womenshealthnetwork.com/detoxification/how-to-add-a-castor-oil-pack-to-your-liver-detox/.

“Are Your Workouts Working Against You”. Retrieved from https://www.herbandohm.com/blog-posts/are-your-workouts-working-against-you.

“Eat with the Seasons: Spring”. Retrieved from https://fiveseasonstcm.com/blogs/traditional-chinese-medicine-101/eat-with-the-seasons-spring.

“Functional Medicine and TCM Liver Detox”. Retrieved from https://healingpoints-acu.com/functional-medicine-and-tcm-liver-detox/.

“How To Detox your Liver and be Ready for Spring with Traditional Chinese Medicine”. Retrieved from https://www.academyhealingnutrition.uk/blog/how-to-detox-your-liver-and-be-ready-for-spring-with-traditional-chinese-medicine.

“Love your liver – cleanse your body”. Retrieved from https://www.8branches.com/articles/love-liver-cleanse-body/.

“Scalp Massage 101: The Easiest Guide to Massage Scalp at Home”. Retrieved from https://magnifissance.com/selfcare/rituals/easiest-scalp-massage-at-home/.

“Understanding Chinese Medicine: Liver Qi Stagnation”. Retrieved from https://www.holdenacupuncture.com/liver-qi-stagnation/.

Mindful Holiday Eating

The holiday season is upon us! A common tradition to celebrate includes feasting on rich foods and decadent sweets. What a perfect opportunity to really enjoy this abundance!

Here is a quick reference for using mindfulness to make your holiday dinner a unique experience and not just a delicious meal.  

Mindful Eating Exercise

1. Gratitude. Look at everything in front of you. Acknowledge your abundance. (Where did it come from? How long did it take to prepare? Who prepared this meal? How much money was spent to share such a bountiful meal?) Take a moment to be truly and genuinely grateful for all of it.

2. Less is more. Do not fill your plate. If you take heaping portions you may be eating to get full, when you really only need to eat until you no longer feel hungry. Try the different foods and get more of those things you really like if you are still hungry.

3. Slow down. Spend more time chewing, smelling, tasting, and talking with those around you. Get the most out of this special feast by making it last.

4. Breathe. It may sound silly to add this step, but it is pretty common to get so caught up in the  excitement of the holiday that you forget to really take those deep, satisfying breaths.  Take a few moments during the meal to take a nice slow deep belly breath with a slow peaceful exhalation.  Your digestion will be better and your body will be more relaxed.

5.  Savor. How does it smell? Is that a hint of cinnamon? When is the last time you enjoyed this food? Enjoy the taste, smell, and texture for as long as possible.  

Happy Holidays!

Beat Summer Heat Syndrome

Even on the best of days, our bodies are working against the external effects of the environment to maintain the internal balance between hot and cool. In TCM, there are 6 environmental factors that contribute to illness when the body is unable to adapt to environmental changes, and two of them are called pathogenic summer heat, or summer heat syndrome, and pathogenic dampness. There are many symptoms of summer heat syndrome and dampness, and they can be treated by various cooling foods and beverages, and by various heat reducing exercises.

Summer heat syndrome and dampness, relating to yang, occurs between the Summer and Autumn solstice, and can be caused by either extreme temperatures, or the body’s inability to adjust to temperature changes. Summer heat and dampness symptoms, associated with yang, include:

• Nausea/diarrhea

• Confusion/dysphoria

• Fever/dizziness

• Lethargy

• Sweating

• Reddish complexion

• Thirst, especially for cold beverages

• Whole body heaviness or heaviness of the arms and legs

While these symptoms are uncomfortable, they should not be confused with symptoms of heat stroke, which is to be taken more seriously. If you are experiencing a temperature of 104 degrees and a rapid heart rate, seek medical help, as heat stroke can be life threatening.

Cooling Foods

In summer, we crave cooling foods and instinctually are disinterested in greasy or heavy foods. Avoid foods like deep-fried foods, chocolate, durian, jackfruit, coconut meat, and cherries. There are also certain herbs and spices to avoid, as they create too much heat. These include cayenne, chili peppers, and mustard seed. Replace salts with electrolytes and drink plenty of water. Avoid sugary beverages, alcohol, and caffeinated beverages. Below are foods recognized by TCM as being cooling on hot days:

• Watermelon: Contains vitamins, simple sugars, and water to help cool the body. Eat close to the rind, as it contains diuretics that help alleviate symptoms of dampness.

• Cucumber: Since cucumbers are mostly water, they are great for cooling the body. Add to water with a slice of lemon or to a salad.

• Mint: Can alleviate heat in the head and chest. It is best consumed cold.

• Blueberries: Clears heat and expel dampness.

• Hibiscus: Known to be cooling, and hydrating when enjoyed in a beverage. Try Rishi Tea & Botanicals Blueberry Hibiscus Rooibos tea, and enjoy either how or cool.

• Mung Beans: Regulates body temperature, clears toxins, balances the skin and organs, and tonifies Qi. Enjoy cooked in a soup, or raw on a salad.

• Lettuce: Most leafy greens and veggies are good for cooling the body due to the high quantity of water.

• Water Chestnuts: Contain high levels of water and are best enjoyed in stir frys with other veggies.

• Hot Tea: Though this sounds contradictory, a cup of warm liquid actually helps cool the body because the heat causes the body to sweat, and the sweat evaporation cools the body. Cold beverages lowers body temperature, but then the stomach works harder to digest, heating the body back up and causing dehydration. Recipe for Mint and Chrysanthemum tea below.

Exercises to Avoid Excess Heat

Exercise is important, but over exertion in the heat contributes to depletion of Qi, and can stimulate summer heat syndrome. The best exercises for working out in the heat are ones that do not raise heart rate or cause excessive sweating. These exercises include yoga, tai chi, and qigong. Remember to drink plenty of water and if exercising outside, find a shaded area to keep the body as cool as possible. Being, exercising, and playing in water (think: swimming) is also very beneficial to cool the body during the summer.

Beverage Recipes and Mocktails

Mint Chrysanthemum Tea

• 1 handful of dried mint

• 1 handful of friend chrysanthemum flowers

Preparation:

• Add herbs to 3 quarts of water ad bring to a boil.

• Reduce heat to a simmer for 15 minutes.

• Add honey to taste, strain, and refrigerate.

• Drink cool or at room temperature.

Rishi Tea’s Saltea Watermelon Mocktail

• 1.5 oz tequila blanco- leave this ingredient out to make a mocktail

• 1.5 oz Rishi Tea & Botanicals Moonlight Jasmine Watermelon Juice

• 3 dash rhubarb bitters

• Grapefruit Quince Sparkling Botanical

• Lime wedge

Preparation:

• In shaker, combine tequila (optional), Moonlight Jasmine Watermelon Juice, rhubarb bitters, and ice, and shake for 10 seconds.

• Strain into salt-rimmed glass with fresh ice and fill with Grapefruit Quince Sparkling Botanicals.

• Garnish with lime wedge.

Rishi Tea & Botanicals Moonlight Jasmine Watermelon Juice

• Brew 5g Moonlight Jasmine Tea, and add strained watermelon juice.

• Let infuse for a couple hours.

• Add to sparkling water and garnish with a lime wedge for a simple mocktail.

Relief with Acupuncture

Acupuncture can help alleviate symptoms of summer heat syndrome by regulating body temperature and decreasing inflammation. Acupuncture can also help ease any digestive issues caused by overheating, and bring the body back into homeostasis.

The best way to beat the heat is to drink plenty of water, stay shaded, do not overexert, and consume foods and beverages that are cooling. Watermelon and blueberries, mint, and other water dense foods will hydrate and cool the body and reduce dampness. To avoid dehydration brought on by alcohol consumption, try a mocktail with cooling ingredients like mint and watermelon. Listen to your body; if your heart rate increases and you begin sweating excessively, you may be experiencing heat stroke and should reach out to your health care provider.

References

“Eat with the Seasons: Summer”. Retrieved from https://fiveseasonstcm.com/blogs/traditional-chinese-medicine-101/eat-with-the-seasons-summer?_pos=3&_sid=2c0ab877c&_ss=r.

“Saltea Watermelon”. Retrieved from https://journal.rishi-tea.com/saltea-watermelon/.

Camire, Alison. “Combat Summer Heat and Humidity with Traditional Chinese Medicine”. Retrieved from https://www.northshoreacupunctureandnaturalmedicine.com/north-shore-acupuncture-blog/foods-summerheat.

“TCM for Summer Heat”. Retrieved from https://myartofwellness.com/health-well-news/tcm-for-summer-heat/.

“What is ‘Summer Heat’?” Retrieved from https://fiveseasonstcm.com/blogs/traditional-chinese-medicine-101/what-is-summer-heat#:~:text=Summer%2Dheat%20disperses%20and%20elevates,thirst%20and%20reddish%2Fscanty%20urine.

Gonzalez, Kris. “Late Summer & The Earth Element”. Retrieved from https://www.thewayofyin.com/blog/late-summer-and-the-earth-element?rq=summer%20heat%20.

Gonzalez, Kris. “Summer Living & Chinese Medicine”. Retrieved from https://www.thewayofyin.com/blog/summerlivingchinesemedicine?rq=summer%20heat%20.

Nowakowski, Rachel. “Summer Heat Syndrome: Five Ways to Stay Cool!” Retrieved from https://daoisttraditions.edu/stay-cool/.