Seasonal support for our livers

As mentioned in my last post spring time is on the Wood element. The Liver and Gallbladder meridians relate to the Wood element so here is some seasonal support for our livers.

Our livers work incredibly hard performing over 500 (known) duties to ensure the proper functioning of the overall system. One of its primary roles is that of detoxification. A lot of our energy is allocated towards detoxifying the body. If your liver is overloaded with toxins, much of the body’s energy will be focusing on detoxification, leaving less energy for other body processes resulting in low energy levels.

It’s also especially important to give your liver extra support if you are taking any pharmaceutical medications, as this all gets processed through your liver. To reduce further stress on your liver avoid alcohol, fast food, deep-fried foods, processed foods, high sugar foods and high (unhealthy) fat foods. Minimize your consumption of smoked, cured and salted foods. By eating organic foods you’ll also reduce exposure to agricultural chemicals.

There are plenty of foods that support the liver. These tend to fall into two groups. First are those that promote the detoxification process of the liver. Second are those that are high in antioxidants and therefore protect the liver while it’s carrying out its detoxification processes.

Here are some examples:

Garlic and onions, cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage), beetroot, apples, artichoke, whole grains, walnuts and olive oil. Bitter leafy salad greens (dandelion, chicory, endive, rocket).

High anti-oxidant fruits such as prunes, raisons, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, plums, oranges, pink grapefruit, cantaloupe, apples and pears.

Drinking green tea, lemon or lime in water.

Supportive herbs and spices include turmeric, cinnamon, liquorice, Milk thistle (not for use if pregnant or breast feeding) and parsley.

Why not consider incorporating some of these into your diet over the coming weeks and give your liver a bit more love 🙂