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?!
