According to traditional Chinese medicine, spring is the best season to nourish the liver. In spring, everything comes back to life and the liver becomes active, just like plants and trees. If the liver is not properly regulated during this time, it can lead to imbalances in the body's qi and blood, causing diseases. Therefore, it is important to nourish the liver in spring to stay healthy.
1. Daily Liver Exercise
Rub the Da Dun acupoint: Sit cross-legged and use your left thumb to press on the Da Dun acupoint on your right foot (about 2mm from the edge of the big toe, near the second toe). Rotate your thumb left and right for 15 times each. Then, use your right hand to press on the Da Dun acupoint on your left foot using the same technique.
Press the Tai Chong acupoint: Sit cross-legged and use your left thumb to press on the Tai Chong acupoint on your right foot (between the first and second toe bones on the top of the foot). Press and slide along the gap between the bones for 20 times. Then, use your right hand to press on the Tai Chong acupoint on your left foot using the same technique.
Rub the San Yin Jiao acupoint: Sit cross-legged and use your left thumb to press on the San Yin Jiao acupoint on your right leg (3 inches above the inner ankle, along the posterior border of the tibia). Rotate your thumb left and right for 15 times each. Then, use your right hand to press on the San Yin Jiao acupoint on your left leg using the same technique.
2. Sleep Early and Take Afternoon Naps to Regulate the Liver
For office workers, the first step to nourish the liver is to sleep early, preferably before 11 PM. According to the theory of Zi Wu flow in traditional Chinese medicine, the liver and gallbladder are most active from 11 PM to 3 AM. There is a saying in traditional Chinese medicine that "when a person lies down, the blood returns to the liver." When a person lies down, the blood from all organs passes through the liver to complete the detoxification process. If people are still busy with work and study from 11 PM to 3 AM, it will keep other organs in a relatively excited state and prevent the blood from entering the liver for detoxification. As a result, the blood the next day will not be completely detoxified.
Secondly, it is important to rest appropriately. "Fatigue" is a distress signal from your body. The best way to nourish the liver is to take short breaks every day. When you feel tired from work, take a ten-minute break to stretch your eyes and relax your muscles. Take a nap during lunchtime and rest after dinner. Adjust your schedule to find time to rest and allow the liver to detoxify and eliminate fatigue.
3. Exercise Properly to Protect the Liver
Active physical exercise is an effective way to protect the liver. Exercise promotes gas exchange, accelerates blood circulation, and nourishes the liver with more oxygen and nutrients.
The liver meridian passes through the legs and feet, while the spleen, liver, and kidney meridians are located on the inside of the legs and feet. Therefore, focus on exercising the feet. Since the exercise intensity should not be too high in spring, walking is a suitable exercise. Under the spring sunshine, away from traffic and streets, contract and relax the large muscle groups in the legs, back, abdomen, and buttocks to enhance blood circulation and metabolism, providing better oxygen supply to the body. In addition, activities such as hiking, jogging, and tai chi are also helpful for liver nourishment. It is recommended to engage in outdoor activities regularly, breathe in the spring air, and promote the liver's functions of generating new energy and eliminating toxins.
4. Eat Light and Nourishing Foods to Nourish the Liver
In spring, excessive liver fire can cause disharmony between the liver and stomach, leading to symptoms such as red tongue with yellow coating, bitter taste, dry throat, and mouth sores. Therefore, it is advisable to eat light and avoid oily (deep-fried foods), raw and cold, and spicy foods. Eat foods that can clear heat, nourish the liver, tonify the spleen, and moisten the lungs, such as loquat, pear, coix seed, shepherd's purse, spinach, celery, chrysanthemum sprouts, lettuce, eggplant, water chestnut, cucumber, banana, and fresh pear.
5. Maintain a Positive Mood to Calm the Liver Fire
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the liver is closely related to emotions. Abnormal liver function can affect a person's mood, and vice versa. Therefore, maintaining a good mood is a good way to nourish the liver and blood.
When you are in a bad mood, try to find someone to talk to or find a way to vent your frustration. Don't keep it bottled up inside. According to relevant data, cancer and tumor patients are 2-4 times more likely to have difficulty venting their frustrations compared to other people. As the saying goes, "all diseases arise from Qi." Office workers who spend a lot of time sitting at a desk can place a potted plant, such as aloe vera, next to their computer to relax their eyes and calm the liver.
