How emotions can be connected to the liver

Have you felt moody or short-tempered lately? Or maybe you are experiencing irritability or anger? According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) all these emotions can be connected to the liver

There is much to learn from the wisdom of TCM, like the principle that mental and physical well-being are deeply connected. For example, excessive irritability and anger can affect the liver and result in multiple ailments, including menstrual pain, headache, redness of the face and eyes, dizziness, and dry mouth. On the other hand, liver imbalances can result in stormy moods.

Our liver is seen as  responsible for the regulation of emotions, nourishment through digestion and absorption, and maintaining blood circulation and detoxification. 

When there is stagnation (the liver system doesn’t flow freely as it should) we can show the symptoms I mentioned already as well as muscular pain, PMS, pain along the ribs, etc.

What can we do to support the liver?

1- Incorporate sour taste: Sour is the flavour that helps to reduce stagnation in the liver. Introduce the following foods to your diet regularly = sauerkraut, sour plum, lemon, granny smith apples, dandelion roots, grapefruits. 

2- Reduce liver loaders: Sugar, alcohol, processed foods, trans fats, toxic chemicals and toxic beauty products.

3- Sleep and meditate: To optimize liver function we need to rest and sleep before 11:00 pm so we can help the liver replenishment activities starting at that time. Also, learning to meditate and practice breath-work even for 10 minutes a day will allow more flow through this organ.

4- Incorporate liver support supplementation and herbs: Use restorative formulas such as HEPA PLUS which contains pure and filler free ingredients such as broccoli, turmeric, Milk Thistle, green tea, NAC and Alpha-Lipoic Acid to support the detoxification pathways happening in the liver 24/7 

5- Emphasize the consumption of leafy greens: Kale, bok choy, watercress, spinach, asparagus, leeks, lettuce and others. If your body doesn’t agree with raw veggies, just sauté them slightly so you will help the digestive system process and absorb the nutrients.

You don’t need to do all of the above at once. Just start by picking one area to focus on and add more changes as you go. You will see the impact on your health and remember that by taking care of your liver, you can experience better digestion, more energy, better mood and balanced sex hormones.

Thanks for reading!