All the Liver Feels
Reading time :
bare roots : 3 minutes (680 words)
tips for healthy, happy liver below
In Chinese Medicine, organs are more than just their physical form and function. Each has their own individual characteristics and unique pathways throughout the body.
There is a saying in Chinese Medicine that says "in adults, treat the liver". It is even common within our culture for people to do liver cleanses or detoxes, further implying the need for more awareness around liver health.
Why is everyone so into their liver?
Let's look at it from a Chinese Medicine lens.
The body relies on the liver for two really important jobs; to ensure the smooth flow of qi, and to store blood.
Because we say "the mind (shen) is stored in the blood", the liver has a strong influence on the quality of emotional state. If our emotional life lacks smooth flow and qi becomes stagnant it can become characterized by frustration, moodiness, depression, irritability, and psychosocial tension.
Sound familiar?
There are several main factors that have a direct impact on the liver; exterior pathogens like wind or dampness, emotional states that lack free flow (anger, worry, sadness), a diet with imbalanced hot and warming foods, or blood loss of any kind. Each of these factors either create stagnation, heat, or both and in turn affect the experience of well-being.
But how are you supposed to know if your Liver is involved?
Have you ever felt a knot in your throat that comes during times of extreme emotional distress? Or have you felt abdominal distention or bloating around the rib-sides? Has it ever happened that you had an emotional outburst that felt entirely out of your control with an explosive-like quality to it? All of these are signs that your liver is experiencing an excess, is imbalanced and is lacking free flow.
Because women experience a menstrual cycle each month, liver blood deficiency is common. But wait.. Blood DEFICIENCY? Does that mean I don’t have enough blood?
No, not at all. Blood deficiency means that the blood isn't preforming all of its functions to its optimal capacity. Deficient liver blood will present as dry eyes, dry skin, dizziness, muscular cramps or weakness, pallor, ridgid nails, irregular heartbeat, and pale scant menstruation.
The blood "houses the shen", shen is often translated as 'mind' or 'spirit'. It is recognized as our capacity to extend and project outwards in the world, to look someone in the eye, form connections and relations around us.
When there is no home for the mind or spirit to settle (liver blood deficiency) it may result in symptoms such as insomnia, excessive dreaming, anxiety, a tendency to have too many projects, aims, dreams, and overall "scattered plans".
Throw a little qi stagnation on top of it, the shen will be 'homeless' and without free-flow, resulting in depression or aimlessness, the sticky-stuck kinds of feelings that feel like you aren't actually going anywhere.
A good way to support the aspects of your liver that crave freedom but also deep nourishment at a baseline level is to live out the desired natural expression of the liver intentionally.
Here are a few ideas to cultivate a healthier, happier Liver.
Try being a "happy wanderer". Take the time to allow yourself to explore - without agenda, without time limit (if possible), with no direction or expectations - go wander. Try to hold your experience with an open palm rather than a closed-tight fist, see what happens :)
Breathe. Find a method that works for you, ideally where the exhales are longer than your inhales. Do this with concious awareness for as long as you have time. This will help nudge your parasympathetic nervous system to take over, allowing for more relaxation (&free-flow!).
Drink enough water each day. Proper hydration supports healthy blood, which can then preform its duty of distributing oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. Healthy blood supports a healthy shen.
What experience in life are you holding in a tight fist? Is there anywhere you can loosen the grip? Holding experiences with an open palm can allow more space to free-flow, creating more opportunities for ease rather than restriction and blockage.