The Liver is an amazing organ serving as the “commanding general of the body” with its many functions support Women’s Health! Today, we will introduce the basic role of the Liver, where it is located, and basic whole food nutrition & herbal medicine can be used to provide optimal support to the Liver’s, natural detoxing ability.
Where is the Liver located? The Liver is located on the right side of the body just tucked under the rib cage. Find the point of where your ribs meet and on the right side the Liver resides with the Gallbladder nestled right in the middle of the Liver.
Why is the Liver is Important? The Liver places a crucial role in our energy levels, hormonal balancing, ability to properly detox the body, maintain metabolism and hold a steady healthy body weight, maintain healthy cholesterol levels, supports women’s reproductive health, and plays a role in emotions such as Anger, Frustration, Rage, and Depression.
In TCM, Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Liver is the main organ of detoxification. The Liver filters the blood along with everything we eat, drink, and ingest such as medications and/or supplements. The Liver helps filter what is needed and get rid of waste and toxins. How? The Liver will filter out waste products from the blood that runs through it. The Liver will produce bile (stored in the Gall Bladder) and release the bile to be pooped out. So if you are not pooping 1-2 times per day with ease (sit-squat-n-go); then, the waste are sitting within the intestines and toxins can recirculate back into the body. It is really true if you do not poop regularly; you will feel like poop. Healthy bowel movements include easy to release, solid in form with not food (except corn), mucus, or blood present, brown, and banana shaped. If you are not looking after your daily BM, then, you are missing an important piece in understanding your Liver and digestive health!
The Liver supports Women’s Health by providing ample and healthy blood to the Uterus to be nourished, filters out the extra hormones, and provides the energy and vitality. The emotion of Anger is related and stored in the Liver because the hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline are filtered out by the Liver when no longer needed. If the Liver is congested, or moving slowing, these hormones related to the Anger emotion can build up within the body.
How do you know when your Liver is out of balance? Here are some physical and emotional symptoms: headaches, teeth grinding, eye issues (especially the right eye), feeling hot all the time, PMS, Fibroids, prostate inflammation, irritability, anger, impatience, hip pain, thyroid issues, toenail discoloration (especially yellow and large toes), waking up between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. and feeling restless, an overall feeling of being stuck in one’s life and more (1)
How can one show their Liver some love?
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Tips on Eating:
Stop eating 2-3 hours before bedtime. Digestion slows down at the night time. Eating late at night causes Liver stagnation and congestion, not allowing time for the body to repair itself.
Stop eating when 80% full. How can one tell if they are full? Listen for the “Liver Sigh”. During eating, when the Stomach stretches to the Liver it will release air causing a “sigh”. Slow down while eating, once you sigh, stop eating because you are reaching your stomach capacity.
Lighter foods instead of heavy: Eating lighter based foods help support digestion and Liver health in Spring. Salads, stir-frys, raw vegetables dipped in hummus or dressing.
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Whole Food Nutrition:
Sour foods nourish the Liver. First thing in the morning, squeeze half a lemon to 8-oz of room temperature water. This can help flush the toxins from your body by getting your LIver to wake up and it helps get the digestive track ready for breakfast. Other sour foods: Lemon, Lime, bitter greens, arugula, vinegar, apple cidar vinegar
Sweetness with the Sour: Vegetables in sweet flavor alongside pungent and sour flavors help us “create a spring within”. Foods with more sweet to them include: complex carbs including grains, legumes, seeds (sprouted), young beets, carrots, starchy vegetables. Natural Sweeteners such as stevia powder, licorice root (avoid if High blood pressure), honey (in moderation), dates.
Ginger Root: is a warming food nourishing to the blood, improves circulation, and antibiotic to support cleansing toxins and boosting the immune system. Ginger tea, fresh grated root, ginger powder all work in tea, oatmeal, or soups!
Turmeric is pungent in flavor supporting the liver by decongesting, clearing heat (usually known as inflammation) from the body, and improves blood and qi (energy) flow. Turmeric must be used with a healthy fat source to increase absorption. Thai & Indian dishes have turmeric and coconut mixes. Other healthy fat options to take with Turmeric includes avocados, coconut milk, olive oil.
Beans: Mung and black beans (especially) will help expel dampness and clear heat (decrease inflammation). Black bean soup, black bean burgers are a favorite go to for the spring time.
Arichokes: Consuming artichokes can help clear liver heat and has cynarin to help bile production and urination.
Dark Leafy greens: kale, collards, bok choy, nappa cabbage, watercress, mustard greens, leek, daikon tops, carrot tops, radish greens, turnip tops, dandelion greens, lettuces,and others. They all have an upward energy about them. Eat more leafy greens in spring and summer! Lighter meals help support the Liver!
Culinary: Basil, Parsley, Mint, Peppermint, Sage, onion, bay leaf, marjoram, cumin, fennel, dill, black pepper, rosemary, lemon balm, mustard greens
Enjoy Honey/mint tea
Dandelion Root & Leaf Tea: Helps detox the liver and replaces the minerals
Milk Thistle: fresh seeds, ground in blender as needed, helps detox the Liver and great to add in smoothies
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Emotional Well-being:
Practice self-compassion: there are many self-compassion meditations on Youtube. Having more self-compassion decreases the stress and pressure one builds up. Self-compassion helps process anger, shame, and frustration. If these emotions go unexpressed; usually we turn these emotions towards ourselves. This effects the Liver and Women’s Reproductive Health till the unexpressed emotions and underlying false beliefs are addressed.
