Liver Care - TCM Tips | Nourishing Foods | Daily Maintenance

The liver is a vital organ in the human body. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, its functions extend far beyond the detoxification and metabolism roles ascribed to it in Western medicine. The TCM concept of the liver is broader, encompassing the regulation of qi (vital energy), blood circulation, and emotional balance. Similar to a logistics company, the liver is responsible for transporting essential substances such as qi, blood, and fluids to various parts of the body. When liver function is impaired, it can disrupt the flow of qi and blood, leading to a range of health problems.

According to the classic TCM text, the Su Wen, after food is digested and absorbed, its essence is transported to the liver, where it is transformed into blood to nourish the entire body. The liver itself also requires adequate blood supply to maintain its normal physiological functions. Therefore, the liver's ability to store blood is essential for its overall health. Moreover, the liver is highly susceptible to emotional influences. Prolonged periods of anxiety, depression, and other negative emotions can lead to liver qi stagnation, disrupting the flow of qi and blood, and consequently causing various diseases. Additionally, liver health is closely related to diet and sleep. Unhealthy eating habits and insufficient sleep can increase the burden on the liver.

In today's fast-paced lifestyle, irregular eating habits, and high-stress levels, the liver is often subjected to damage. Once liver function is compromised, the body may exhibit various symptoms, such as fatigue, loss of appetite, and yellowing of the skin. These seemingly minor issues may signal underlying liver problems. Therefore, nurturing and protecting the liver is not only essential for preventing liver diseases but also for maintaining overall health.

At Kang Won Herbalist, our philosophy, as upheld by Mr. L, is to internally adjust while taking the pulse and listen to the body's signals, enabling us to understand the messages your body is sending us. Through this approach, we not only listen to the body's signals, but we can also assist you in addressing health issues and psychological conditions, providing a more precise diagnosis and tailored treatment plan for you.

Our traditional Chinese medicine practitioners possess extensive professional knowledge and experience, specializing in complex cases of cough, skin eczema, dizziness, gastric problems, and infertility. They can accurately diagnose patients' symptoms and the root causes of their illnesses, creating personalized traditional Chinese medicine treatment plans. These may include herbal therapies, acupuncture, dietary recommendations, and comprehensive adjustments, all designed to alleviate symptoms, promote recovery, and enhance quality of life.

Nurturing the Liver Through TCM

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) states that 'when one lies down, blood returns to the liver.' When we sleep, the liver receives sufficient nourishment and rest, similar to charging a battery. The liver meridian corresponds to the time between 1 and 3 AM, which is the optimal time for the liver to replenish Qi and energy. Getting a good night's sleep during this period can maximize the liver's ability to repair and detoxify. Many people believe that a poor liver requires direct supplementation. , However, instead of overworking the liver with supplements, TCM actually advocates nourishing the spleen and kidneys which will indirectly nourish the liver.

Spleen deficiency: coix seed, yam, and gorgon nuts can be beneficial, along with herbal formulas like ginseng-based spleen tonic pills.
Kidney deficiency: goji berries, black sesame seeds, and herbal formulas like Liuwei Dihuang Wan can be helpful.
Excessive liver fire: chrysanthemum tea, green tea, and formulas like Bupleurum & Peony Tablets (Danzhi Xiaoyao Wan) can be beneficial.

TCM also states that the liver stores blood and nourishes the eyes. Therefore, nourishing the liver and protecting the eyes are interconnected. Two simple exercises can help nourish the liver:

Resting your eyes: Closing the eyes can effectively relieve eye fatigue and nourish the liver. Especially after your meal, resting your eyes for 20 minutes can help with digestion and also let your liver rest.
Heel raises: Doing heel raises can promote blood circulation, especially in the legs and lower body, and can also strengthen the body and improve leg shape.

Symptoms of a Poor Liver

From a TCM perspective, there are different symptoms associated with liver problems —— skin discolourations, body odours, sleep disturbances, and other general symptoms. If you experience any of the following symptoms, it's a sign that your liver health may be compromised. To prevent liver problems, it's important to maintain good liver health even before symptoms appear.

Skin Discoloration

Dark complexion: Stagnation of liver qi can lead to poor blood circulation, resulting in a dull, dark complexion, lack of skin elasticity, dryness, and even a sallow appearance.
Severe dark circles: Dark circles around the eyes are often a sign of liver problems.
Black lines or spots on nails: These can indicate circulatory problems and may be associated with tumours, necrosis, or liver disease.
Dark purple lips: A dark purple or black hue to the lips suggests stagnation of liver qi and blood. In women, this can be linked to menstrual irregularities such as dysmenorrhea or amenorrhea.

Body Odors

Bad breath: Morning breath that is dry, bitter, or foul-smelling can indicate poor circulation of liver qi. A musty or foul odour on the breath may suggest weakened liver detoxification function and bacterial growth.
Strong body odour: When the liver is unable to effectively metabolize toxins, it can lead to excessive sweating as the body attempts to cool down, resulting in a stronger body odour.

Sleep Disturbances

Insomnia and vivid dreams: Stagnation of liver Qi, kidney Yin deficiency, or liver fire can disrupt sleep patterns. Liver disease patients often experience difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings, and vivid dreams. In severe cases, insomnia can lead to neurasthenia.
Nighttime teeth grinding: Excess liver fire can cause involuntary teeth grinding, talking in sleep, or even sleepwalking.
Excessive daytime sleepiness: Chronic liver disease patients often experience excessive daytime sleepiness, which can be attributed to the effects of the liver virus on sleep patterns.

Other Symptoms

Digestive issues: The liver plays a crucial role in digestion. Liver problems can lead to symptoms like loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting.
Mood swings: In TCM, the liver is associated with emotions. Liver qi stagnation can cause irritability, frustration, and depression.
Fatigue and weakness: The liver is involved in energy metabolism. Liver dysfunction can lead to insufficient energy supply, causing fatigue and weakness.
Skin problems: The liver is involved in protein synthesis and bile secretion. Liver diseases can cause jaundice, itching, and pigmentation.
Endocrine disorders: The liver is involved in hormone metabolism. Liver disease can lead to menstrual irregularities, acne, and other endocrine disorders.
Bleeding tendencies: The liver synthesizes clotting factors. Liver disease can impair blood clotting, leading to easy bleeding.
Decreased immunity: The liver is an important immune organ. Liver disease can weaken the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections.
Decreased alcohol tolerance: The liver is the primary organ for alcohol metabolism. Liver dysfunction can reduce alcohol tolerance.

Kang Won TCM tips：

*From a TCM perspective, the liver and gallbladder start their detoxification process around 1 AM. Therefore, the colour of your first urine in the morning can provide clues about your liver's health.

Tea-colored urine: This may indicate liver problems due to obstructed bile ducts, leading to abnormal bilirubin metabolism.
Coffee-colored urine: This is often a sign of severe liver damage.

Diets for Nourishing Your Liver

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views the liver as a vital organ that is closely connected to the gallbladder and eyes. It is responsible for storing blood and ensuring the smooth flow of qi (vital energy). Therefore, nourishing the liver is crucial for overall health. Here are some of the foods suggested by Kang Won TCM Practitioner on nourishing your liver:

Everyday Foods

Fruits: Citrus fruits (oranges, grapefruit), apples, bananas, papaya, blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, peaches, tomatoes, and dates.
Vegetables: Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage), seaweed, foods rich in triterpenes (bitter melon, shiitake mushrooms), foods rich in sulfur compounds (onions, garlic), shepherd's purse, yam, eggplant, lettuce, spinach, celery, and chives.
Nuts: Walnuts, almonds, peanuts, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, and cashews.
Beans: Soybeans, black beans, and peas.
Grains: Brown rice, oats, barley, and red rice.
Others: Olive oil, deep-sea fish, mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, enoki mushrooms, black fungus, tofu, green tea, and coffee (in moderation).

Foods with Special Benefits

Fermented foods: Vinegar, kimchi, tofu, pickles, and miso can improve gut health and reduce the burden on the liver.
High-quality protein: Meat (preferably white meat), fish, eggs, dairy products, and soy products provide essential amino acids for tissue repair.
Liver (in moderation): Rich in various nutrients, it can provide the necessary nutrients for liver repair.

Dietary Recommendations

Balanced diet: Ensure a balanced intake of proteins, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibre.
Dietary diversity: Consume a variety of fruits and vegetables to obtain a wider range of nutrients.
Portion control: Be mindful of portion sizes, especially for foods like coffee and nuts.
Healthy cooking methods: Steam or boil foods to preserve nutrients and reduce the metabolic burden on the liver.
Regular check-ups: Schedule regular liver function tests for early detection of any problems.

Daily Habits for Liver Health

Nurturing liver health requires consistent effort and attention to daily habits. By adjusting our sleep schedules, diet, and emotional state, we can help our livers function optimally and maintain overall well-being. Here are some key points to remember:

Adjust Your Sleep Schedule

Regular sleep: The liver detoxifies between 1 AM and 3 AM, so ensuring sufficient sleep during this time is crucial for liver repair.
Avoid late nights: Chronic sleep deprivation disrupts the liver's biological clock and increases its workload.

Manage Your Emotions

Positive outlook: Emotional ups and downs can lead to liver qi stagnation, affecting liver health.
Relaxation techniques: Practices like yoga and meditation can help reduce stress and promote relaxation.

Maintain a Healthy Diet

Balanced nutrition: Consume plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, especially those beneficial for liver health.
Limit fatty foods: Greasy foods can overburden the liver.
Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps the liver detoxify.
Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol: These substances are harmful to the liver.

Regular Bowel Movements

Dietary fibre: Include plenty of fibre-rich foods like whole grains, vegetables, and fruits to promote regular bowel movements.
Establish a routine: Develop a consistent bowel movement schedule to prevent constipation and toxin buildup.

Medication Precautions

Follow medical advice: Always take medications as prescribed.
Avoid over-the-counter overuse: Excessive use of pain relievers can damage the liver.

Regular Excercise

Finding suitable exercise: Such as swimming, jogging, tachi, yoga, etc.
Regular exercise: Can improve blood circulation and liver function. Aim for at least 3 sessions per week.

Additional Tips

Traditional Chinese Medicine: Consider consulting a TCM practitioner for treatments like acupuncture and massage.
Regular check-ups: Schedule regular liver function tests for early detection of any issues.

Kontea Recommendation Products

Liver Nourishing Paste

Effects: Nourish the liver, support detoxification from alcohol, remove excess dampness for optimal gallbladder function
Suitable for:People who work long hours, with irregular sleep pattern, consume alcohol regularly, smoke, or have a diet high in greasy and salty food.
Important Notice:Ensure adequate sleep, avoid overworking, quit smoking and alcohol, consume a balanced diet, and maintain a relaxed mindset for optimal liver health.

Vitality Herbal Paste

Effects:Increases vitality and detoxes. Protects the liver, decreases stress, improves blood circulation, Improves allergic constitution, prevents fatigue, improves vitality and Strengthen Immune System.
Suitable for:Commonly recommended for children or the elderly, bad appetite, bloating, stomach pains, frequent fever, sinus, sweating, and fatigue. Enuresis in children, bad digestion, diarrhea, stool with undigested food scraps.

Liver Cleanser Herbal Tea

Effects:Dandelion is a good herb for detox and reduction of swelling, which is commonly used to relieve symptoms caused by toxins in the body due to excessive heat. Mulberry leaf, on the other hand, is effective for common colds, cleansing of the lungs and the liver. The liver-cleaning drink is good for improving diseases caused by excessive body heat.
Suitable for:Hot tempers, chest tightness, migraines.

Hangover Tea

Effects: Chestnut mushroom has unique medicinal properties that clears heat, balances the kidney, promotes clear vision, and promotes smooth urinary flow. Longan has been considered a great medicinal food for a long time, and red dates are sweet and warming and can treat diarrhoea and increase appetite.
Suitable for: Moodiness, lack of appetite, stomach discomfort. Also great for people who defecate easily.

Wolfberry Soup

Effects: Straining the eye also strains the liver. When it comes to protecting the eyes, the best is prinsepia, and next is wolfberry. Prinsepia can dissipate internal, remove dampness, and is kind to the liver. Wolfberries promotes clear vision, perks up the mood, nourishes the liver, and allows down ageing.
Suitable for:People who are experiencing poor vision and eyesight. Great for people who looks at electronic devices for long periods at a time.

Kang Won Herbalist

Kang Won TCM Practitioner also recommends seeking medical attention as soon as rheumatic symptoms begin to appear. Early consultation allows us to provide you with suitable treatment and prevention plans based on your symptoms and underlying causes.

Our TCM Practitioner specializes in diagnosing and treating various internal health issues in the internal medicine field. We are dedicated to balancing the body's energy flow to alleviate internal problems and improve overall health. Therefore, if you have any concerns about rheumatic diseases, we welcome you to consult with us in person to learn more.

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Liver Care - TCM Tips | Nourishing Foods | Daily Maintenance