Violence: It's more than TV and Video Games

Physically, the liver is the largest gland;  it is the producer of bile which is critical to proper fat breakdown, it degrades toxins including drugs, alcohol, hormones and any unused materials.   Between meals it breaks down stored glycogen to maintain energy levels.  The liver is one of the major blood cleaning centers of the body.   Toxicity of blood, and of food we eat, as well as diets high in saturated fat increase the workload on the liver, contributing to liver stress and scarring.  

 I’d like to share the organ network (meridians) and the physical, emotional, spiritual components of each.   Today I’m highlighting the Liver channel, as it reflects so much of the ills our society is dealing with now: 

But in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the liver is the ‘General of the Blood,’ and the General of the Blood is responsible for the smooth, even flow of blood and qi throughout the body, especially in maintaining normal  Spleen and Stomach functions.  Because the stomach receives the food, and the spleen is responsible for the separation of the 'impure food essence' from the 'pure food essence,' all of which happens optimally only when the liver is working smoothly, the smooth function of the liver keeps our food processing center in top working order.  

That is only one aspect of the liver's responsibilities.   The smooth flow of qi is also responsible for the lubrication of tendons and ligaments, as well as the flexibility of joints in general.  Arthritis and joint pain are associated with an imbalance of liver function.

In TCM, our emotional/spiritual health is indelibly connected to our physical functions.  The liver is also the seat of the Hun, or Non-Corporeal Soul, which, when in balance, fosters benevolence and human kindness and healthy self-worth.  But when the liver is out of balance and the Hun is disturbed, anger, belligerence, hatred and low self-esteem can be the result.   The emotional component of the General of the Blood is organization, planning and strategy.  When there is congestion in the liver, rather than efficient planning, a person is often angry, or indecisive or both.

Look at the far-reaching implications of a country of people with congested livers:  belligerence, anger, hatred, and an impaired ability to feel physical or spiritual suffering in themselves or others.  Then add difficulty in planning and organizing their lives – does any of this sound like the news?!

  

Our normal American diet of fried and processed foods, generally deficient in fruits and vegetables, is a recipe for disaster for our livers - and our society.

And that's why - Healing the energetics of our bodies is so much more important than addressing the symptoms - if the root problem can be corrected, then the symptom will go away.

 
Try acupressure today!

Next:  Self-help Acupressure Points & Foods to support healthy liver function,

Look at the far-reaching implications of a country of people with congested livers:  belligerence, anger, hatred, and an impaired ability to feel physical or spiritual suffering in themselves or others, then add difficulty in planning and organizing their lives - does any of this sound like the evening news?!