Liver Detoxification
The Lunar New Year is approaching, and there's a traditional saying, "On the 28th of the 12th lunar month, clean up the mess." The number 28 (二八) is chosen for its auspicious homophone "easy to prosper" (易發), symbolizing getting rid of the old and welcoming the new. After a year, not only has our home accumulated a lot of dirt, but our body has also accumulated many toxins. It's time to give our body a thorough cleanse.
Spring belongs to wood, corresponding to the liver. The liver is the main organ for detoxification and dispersion in the body, responsible for metabolism, secretion, detoxification, and regulating qi and blood. Therefore, a healthy liver can help the body detoxify and self-regulate, keeping the body in relative balance, improving physical function, and reducing the lethargy often experienced in spring.
To cleanse the liver in spring, you can prepare 5 grams each of dandelion and honeysuckle. After washing the ingredients, put them into a thermos cup, add hot water, and steep for 10 minutes before drinking. This tea can clear liver heat and help fight viruses, but it is not suitable for those with a weak spleen and stomach.
Dandelion tastes bitter and sweet, is cold in nature, and enters the liver and stomach meridians. It can clear heat and detoxify, reduce swelling, and disperse nodules, making it particularly effective for relieving mouth ulcers and sore throats. Honeysuckle tastes sweet, is cold in nature, and enters the lung, stomach, and heart meridians. It can clear heat and detoxify, soothe the throat, and dispel wind-heat.
The prerequisite for nourishing the liver is rest. The "Huangdi Neijing" (The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine) once mentioned: "Therefore, when a person lies down, blood returns to the liver, and the liver receives blood to enable vision." The liver meridian operates from 11 PM to 1 AM. Lying down and resting during this time can help blood flow to the liver, which is beneficial for dispersion. Modern research also indicates that the blood flow to the liver is 40% higher when a person is lying down compared to standing up.
Rest is for the sake of a longer journey. You might as well take advantage of the long Lunar New Year holiday to rest more and nourish your liver.
Spring belongs to wood, corresponding to the liver. The liver is the main organ for detoxification and dispersion in the body, responsible for metabolism, secretion, detoxification, and regulating qi and blood. Therefore, a healthy liver can help the body detoxify and self-regulate, keeping the body in relative balance, improving physical function, and reducing the lethargy often experienced in spring.
To cleanse the liver in spring, you can prepare 5 grams each of dandelion and honeysuckle. After washing the ingredients, put them into a thermos cup, add hot water, and steep for 10 minutes before drinking. This tea can clear liver heat and help fight viruses, but it is not suitable for those with a weak spleen and stomach.
Dandelion tastes bitter and sweet, is cold in nature, and enters the liver and stomach meridians. It can clear heat and detoxify, reduce swelling, and disperse nodules, making it particularly effective for relieving mouth ulcers and sore throats. Honeysuckle tastes sweet, is cold in nature, and enters the lung, stomach, and heart meridians. It can clear heat and detoxify, soothe the throat, and dispel wind-heat.
The prerequisite for nourishing the liver is rest. The "Huangdi Neijing" (The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine) once mentioned: "Therefore, when a person lies down, blood returns to the liver, and the liver receives blood to enable vision." The liver meridian operates from 11 PM to 1 AM. Lying down and resting during this time can help blood flow to the liver, which is beneficial for dispersion. Modern research also indicates that the blood flow to the liver is 40% higher when a person is lying down compared to standing up.
Rest is for the sake of a longer journey. You might as well take advantage of the long Lunar New Year holiday to rest more and nourish your liver.