Spring and Liver
Spring…
New beginning.
Plants come out from the soil, sprout, and start to grow.
Animals and birds, (even us people!) also come out and enjoy
the warmer air and sun.
The air is full of fresh, light, outward and upward energy : )
The liver, one of the vital organs, is associated with this
season, according to Eastern philosphy.
Some main functions of this organ is :
1 filters toxins from blood (blood cleansing)
2 produces and transports bile
3 controls blood sugar level
4 converts carbs, fats and proteins into one another
5 manufactures hormones and enzymes
just to name a few!
In spring, the liver synchronizes with the season's unique
energy, and its functions are all enhanced.
Especially its "detox", "cleansing" function.
Naturally, excess nutrients such as fat as well as toxins that
have been accumulated during the cold season start to come
out.
And this cleansing/detoxifying process becomes in full bloom.
And we may experience some uncomfortable conditions such as
sneezing, running nose, fever, sore throat, dandruff, eye
mucus, hay fever, itchy eyes, or skin problems etc.
** Eyes are related to the liver. So any eye problems may be
related to liver problems, too.
Some people may have more sever reaction such as spring
colds and flu.
But all those are the body’s natural attempt to eliminate all the
excess from the body.
And the more excess (or toxins) you accumulate, in other words,
the more unnecessary foods you have been eating(or over
eating/drinking in general), the more severe the symptoms
become.
Not just physical discharge.
You may experience emotional discharge as well.
Anger, rage, frustration, impatience…
All are the signs that your liver may be overworking and trying
to eliminate the excess!
The liver’s other main functions include :
1 stores some nutrients (fat, amino acid, glucose etc)
2 fights against infections
For the happy Liver : ) ---Help the liver function well
So, especially in Spring, we don’t want to overwork this hard
working organ by adding extra jobs.
Anything heavy, such as Meat, eggs, poultry, dairy and other
fatty foods are all better minimized.
Also, alcohol, sugar, refined foods(white flour etc) and
drugs/medicines all overtax the liver, too.
In general, eating/drinking less is the best support for this organ.
*** fruits and the liver
When you take in sugar, it turns into glucose, and stored in the
liver (glycogen).
But it has a capacity (about 80g), and it will swell when the
sugar intake exceeds its capacity.
Fruits, whose main components is fructose(simple sugar) are
shown to cause the liver cells to swell!
Foods that nurture the liver
Dark leafy greens such as kale, collard, mustard or water cress
are especially good for liver.
When you go to farmer’s market, you will find fresh greens such
as sprouts, broccoli rabe, green onions, radish, radish greens
etc etc..
They are all good for the liver to do its job.
Nature gives us all we need!
Also, barley is a good grain for the liver.
Wakame, which you find in miso soup, is good among seaweeds.
Shitake mushroom and daikon radish also helps dissolve
accumulated animal fat from liver.
Gobo(burdock root) helps stimulate the flow of bile by improving
liver function, thus cleanse the blood.
Sour taste nurtures this organ, too, such as umeboshi plum or
sauerkraut or other naturally pickled veggies.
If you have been eating lots of animal foods, some citrus such
as lemon, lime or apples(sour), would help the liver to dissolve
the accumulated fat, too.
For cooking, use less salt or other seasonings, and quick &
simple methods such as steaming, quick sauté are ideal to
enhance liver’s “upward” energy.
Spring is a season of new start and hope, with light, uplifting
energy.
So, be light yourself, and in tune with the season : )
Spring…
New beginning.
Plants come out from the soil, sprout, and start to grow.
Animals and birds, (even us people!) also come out and enjoy
the warmer air and sun.
The air is full of fresh, light, outward and upward energy : )
The liver, one of the vital organs, is associated with this
season, according to Eastern philosphy.
Some main functions of this organ is :
1 filters toxins from blood (blood cleansing)
2 produces and transports bile
3 controls blood sugar level
4 converts carbs, fats and proteins into one another
5 manufactures hormones and enzymes
just to name a few!
In spring, the liver synchronizes with the season's unique
energy, and its functions are all enhanced.
Especially its "detox", "cleansing" function.
Naturally, excess nutrients such as fat as well as toxins that
have been accumulated during the cold season start to come
out.
And this cleansing/detoxifying process becomes in full bloom.
And we may experience some uncomfortable conditions such as
sneezing, running nose, fever, sore throat, dandruff, eye
mucus, hay fever, itchy eyes, or skin problems etc.
** Eyes are related to the liver. So any eye problems may be
related to liver problems, too.
Some people may have more sever reaction such as spring
colds and flu.
But all those are the body’s natural attempt to eliminate all the
excess from the body.
And the more excess (or toxins) you accumulate, in other words,
the more unnecessary foods you have been eating(or over
eating/drinking in general), the more severe the symptoms
become.
Not just physical discharge.
You may experience emotional discharge as well.
Anger, rage, frustration, impatience…
All are the signs that your liver may be overworking and trying
to eliminate the excess!
The liver’s other main functions include :
1 stores some nutrients (fat, amino acid, glucose etc)
2 fights against infections
For the happy Liver : ) ---Help the liver function well
So, especially in Spring, we don’t want to overwork this hard
working organ by adding extra jobs.
Anything heavy, such as Meat, eggs, poultry, dairy and other
fatty foods are all better minimized.
Also, alcohol, sugar, refined foods(white flour etc) and
drugs/medicines all overtax the liver, too.
In general, eating/drinking less is the best support for this organ.
*** fruits and the liver
When you take in sugar, it turns into glucose, and stored in the
liver (glycogen).
But it has a capacity (about 80g), and it will swell when the
sugar intake exceeds its capacity.
Fruits, whose main components is fructose(simple sugar) are
shown to cause the liver cells to swell!
Foods that nurture the liver
Dark leafy greens such as kale, collard, mustard or water cress
are especially good for liver.
When you go to farmer’s market, you will find fresh greens such
as sprouts, broccoli rabe, green onions, radish, radish greens
etc etc..
They are all good for the liver to do its job.
Nature gives us all we need!
Also, barley is a good grain for the liver.
Wakame, which you find in miso soup, is good among seaweeds.
Shitake mushroom and daikon radish also helps dissolve
accumulated animal fat from liver.
Gobo(burdock root) helps stimulate the flow of bile by improving
liver function, thus cleanse the blood.
Sour taste nurtures this organ, too, such as umeboshi plum or
sauerkraut or other naturally pickled veggies.
If you have been eating lots of animal foods, some citrus such
as lemon, lime or apples(sour), would help the liver to dissolve
the accumulated fat, too.
For cooking, use less salt or other seasonings, and quick &
simple methods such as steaming, quick sauté are ideal to
enhance liver’s “upward” energy.
Spring is a season of new start and hope, with light, uplifting
energy.
So, be light yourself, and in tune with the season : )
Home Remedy for Liver
Carrot-Daikon Drink
Helps dissolve fat
accumulated inside body,
especially liver.
Also good for healthy weight
loss : )
click here for recipe
Carrot-Daikon Drink
Helps dissolve fat
accumulated inside body,
especially liver.
Also good for healthy weight
loss : )
click here for recipe
For Eyes
Other than diet, green
color is nurturing for the
eyes. Walk in the woods/
park, or have some green
plants at your desk.
Other than diet, green
color is nurturing for the
eyes. Walk in the woods/
park, or have some green
plants at your desk.
For Harmonious
Relationship
In spring, suppressed emotions
tend to come out more easily.
Especially when the liver is
overworked, and the energy
flow is obstructed in the liver
meridian. its related emotion,
such as anger, rage,
frustration, impatience tend to
come to the surface more often.
Do not overwork your liver, and
nurture the organ by eating
light meal, or adding more
spring greens, daikon, gobo
etc and a little sour taste.
Smile to your liver, and have a
harmonious relationships with
your loved ones : )
Relationship
In spring, suppressed emotions
tend to come out more easily.
Especially when the liver is
overworked, and the energy
flow is obstructed in the liver
meridian. its related emotion,
such as anger, rage,
frustration, impatience tend to
come to the surface more often.
Do not overwork your liver, and
nurture the organ by eating
light meal, or adding more
spring greens, daikon, gobo
etc and a little sour taste.
Smile to your liver, and have a
harmonious relationships with
your loved ones : )
Whole Life with Jin
