Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the liver is responsible for storing blood and regulating the flow of Qi in our body. It plays a vital role in detoxification. If the liver is not functioning properly, toxins will accumulate in the body and cannot be eliminated in a timely manner. This can lead to hormonal imbalances and symptoms such as liver-stomach disharmony. Therefore, it is necessary to take care of the liver. Here are some dietary therapies that are beneficial for the liver.
Recipe 1: Duck Liver and Donkey-Hide Gelatin Congee
Wash the millet and put it in a clay pot. Add an appropriate amount of water and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes. In another pot, put the donkey-hide gelatin and boil it with water over medium heat until completely dissolved. Add the gelatin to the millet congee and mix well. Add the duck liver paste, stir well, and then add scallions and ginger. Continue to simmer over low heat until the millet becomes soft. Add salt and monosodium glutamate, and mix well. This congee nourishes the liver, replenishes blood, and relieves dizziness, especially suitable for premenstrual dizziness caused by liver blood deficiency.
Recipe 2: Honey-Soaked Garlic
The combination of the minerals and sugars in honey and the nutrients in garlic can enhance liver function. Garlic is a spicy and stimulating food that can irritate the gastric mucosa and cause dryness in the mouth. Honey, on the other hand, has the effect of invigorating the spleen, harmonizing the stomach, and nourishing Yin. Therefore, eating garlic soaked in honey can compensate for the shortcomings of garlic and better protect the gastric mucosa. It is best to consume honey-soaked garlic after dinner. Patients with liver and kidney diseases should avoid consumption during the treatment period.
Recipe 3: Gastrodia and Black Fungus Soup
Wash the Gastrodia elata seedlings and black fungus. Slice the tomatoes and chop the ginger. Tear the black fungus into small pieces. Heat a little oil in a pot and stir-fry the ginger until fragrant. Add the tomatoes and stir-fry. After the tomatoes release their red oil, add the black fungus and stir-fry for a while. Add a bowl of broth, or plain water if you don't have broth. Add salt and pepper. Add a small amount of soy sauce for freshness. Cook for 1-2 minutes after the water boils. Finally, add the Gastrodia elata seedlings and turn off the heat when the color changes. Drizzle a few drops of sesame oil. If you like sour soup, you can add a little vinegar. Gastrodia elata seedlings can clear heat, detoxify, nourish the liver, clear fat, and promote blood circulation and metabolism. Gastrodia and black fungus soup has the effect of nourishing and protecting the liver.
Recipe 4: Jujube Water
Jujubes are rich in amino acids, which are beneficial for protein synthesis and can prevent symptoms of low protein. Drinking jujube water can nourish the liver and detoxify. Studies have found that daily consumption of jujube water for one week can enhance serum protein in people with poor liver function and achieve the therapeutic effect of liver protection.
Recipe 5: Goji Berry Tea
Goji berries are a great health food that nourishes the liver and improves eyesight, especially suitable for office workers. Irregular lifestyles can affect liver function, and people with strong liver fire can drink goji berry tea with about 10 grams of goji berries every day to nourish the liver Yin and repair liver cells. This is a very simple health care method, and the key is to persist.
Recipe 6: Lemon Water
Water helps speed up metabolism and eliminate impurities and toxins from the body, reducing the burden on the liver. Drinking a glass of warm water first thing in the morning can awaken the body's functions. Dr. Peter Kramer, an American liver disease expert, suggests adding lemon to the water. The acidity of lemon can stimulate the liver to produce bile, which is beneficial for detoxification. Drink 8-10 cups a day, about 300ml each time.
