To The Point
Spring is almost upon us. It is the time of the Wood element which is ruled by the liver and gallbladder. The liver is the organ that neutralizes poisons in our bodies… but did you know that liver also helps to neutralize emotional poisons? Liver is most active during Spring-time. All nature is being renewed. A new cycle of life begins. This affects our livers, causing most adults, especially in the western busy world to have overburdened livers. Overburdened liver is also called “over-heated” liver. As heat moves upward, it causes problems in the head section: dry skin, dry hair, hair loss, migraines, headaches, high blood pressure, and very often also indigestion. Emotional problems that occur due to congested liver are: irritation, anger, mood swings etc.
Huge number of diseases have their roots in an unhealthy liver. Most people who have developed heart problems, have had an extended period of overburdening their livers. People in the western culture are constantly so busy, not taking enough time to be calm and be at peace emotionally. Too many ambitions harm liver. Great desire for power, wealth, fame, money and also emotions of anger, hate and lack of forgiveness all cause stress. This puts too great a pressure on the liver. We need to take one day a week for rest. Not taking time for emotional and physical rest is the cause of many health problems.
Our bodies are not designed to work 7 days a week, which is something we often do. It might not be our paid job but we have other “important” to-do items that we leave for Sundays. But the truth is, our bodies were designed to have at least one day a week for resting – physical and emotional rest and spiritual recuperation. If we do not take this quiet time, our livers get seriously damaged, causing a myriad of health problems.
Although it is not possible to heal the liver only with food and supplements (without resting), there are things we can do to calm and heal our livers. An important thing to remember is to eat the lightest foods in Spring. Our bodies are in need of a good Spring-cleaning, so we need to feed our bodies with light foods that are easy to digest.
We have to cut out (hopefully for forever) all white flour products, white sugar products, unhealthy fats, and alcohol. We can substitute white flour with corn four or other whole flours. If you must have the sweet taste, white sugar can be substituted with unrefined raw sugar, honey, molasses, agave nectar or rice syrup. Unhealthy fats can be replaced with pure butter, extra virgin olive oil or other cold pressed (preferably certified organic) oils. We should reduce the consumption of meat, cheese, eggs, and salt.
Very important Spring-time supplements are seaweeds. We can find good seaweed products like Spirulina, Chlorella, Wild Blue-Green and others from our local health food stores. Seaweeds, being yin and cooling, help heal the liver. One of the very best supplements available on the market is our certified organic In-Liven probiotic with 13 bacteria, seaweed and many green nutrients that are so vital for our body’s well being. Omega-3-fatty acids should become a part of our Spring diet. Unrefined goat milk and lamb milk are very beneficial. Spring foods that help calm the liver are rice, buckwheat, sprouts, beans, lentils, seeds, fresh vegetables, especially leafy green vegetables and fresh fruits, especially apricots. Herbs that are beneficial are: basil, balm, cardamon, ginger, black pepper, mints, laurel, horseradish and especially dandelion.
A good cleanser for the body is comprised of 1 tablespoonful of apple cider vinegar or brown rice vinegar and 1 tablespoonful of raw honey, mixed in 1 glass of water. Drink it before a meal.
Fresh air, clean water and exercise are also great tonics for Spring. Go and enjoy the Spring and I wish You all a beautiful Spring and a calm liver!
~ David