Health Preservation for Liver Qi Stagnation
Health Preservation
For health preservation regarding liver qi stagnation, the focus is primarily on the following aspects: regulating qi, relieving stagnation, and nourishing the liver and spleen.
PART 01
Dietary Health Preservation
The liver governs the smooth flow of qi and is crucial for the proper functioning of the spleen and stomach. The essential qi required by the liver must be obtained from diet. Therefore, the first step in liver protection is a balanced diet.
1. Maintain a balanced diet with a mix of meat, vegetables, and mushrooms, and consume plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables while minimizing spicy foods.
2. Include foods high in dietary fiber, such as bamboo shoots, celery, leeks, sweet potatoes, eggplants, yams, corn, oats, enoki mushrooms, and tea tree mushrooms. High-fiber foods help maintain regular bowel movements and promote bile secretion and excretion, which is an important measure to enhance liver function.
3. Eat at regular intervals and in appropriate portions; avoid binge eating or skipping meals. Irregular eating habits can lead to abnormal secretion of digestive juices, disrupting the liver’s function.
4. Control fat and alcohol intake to prevent fatty liver and other issues. Medical research indicates that a healthy person weighing 60 kg can metabolize only 60 grams of alcohol daily; excessive drinking can lead to liver damage, protein and B vitamin deficiencies, alcohol poisoning, fatty liver, cirrhosis, and even life-threatening conditions.
PART 02
Emotional Health Preservation
The liver is associated with the emotion of anger. The liver thrives on smooth flow and is harmed by repression and depression. Therefore, feelings of depression and rage can easily damage the liver, leading to pathological changes such as liver qi stagnation, liver qi rebellion, or liver fire, which are commonly associated with hypertension and coronary heart disease.
Learning to control excessive emotions and channel negative feelings while maintaining a cheerful disposition is beneficial for liver health. Individuals who are tolerant and composed are not only well-liked and respected but also more likely to achieve success in their careers, and importantly, their health is safeguarded through emotional management. However, this is easier said than done, especially in modern society where the pace of life is fast, work pressure is high, and competition is fierce, constantly facing various uncertainties, particularly regarding housing, healthcare, education, and retirement issues, making it challenging to remain calm!
When faced with unpleasant situations that cause liver qi stagnation, and you feel like “your lungs are about to explode with anger,” you can try the “Hush Technique”: facing evergreen trees, make a “hush” sound while slowly and deeply exhaling negative energy, repeating this six times until your mood improves.
The previous section on “Exercise and Health” introduced a breathing technique called the Six Sounds, which uses different sounds and mouth shapes, along with varying pressure on the lips, teeth, throat, and tongue, to stimulate the organs, meridians, and the flow of qi and blood. The Hush Technique is one of these methods that can help soothe liver qi, alleviating symptoms such as chest and rib distension, poor appetite, dry eyes, and dizziness.
The Hush Technique shared earlier is a simplified method for immediate emotional relief. For regular health maintenance, the complete steps are as follows:
1. Preparation: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, head straight, chest slightly out, back straight, relax the waist and hips, knees slightly bent, and breathe naturally.
2. Breathing Method: Use abdominal breathing, exhaling first, then inhaling, while saying the word “hush” during exhalation, tightening the anus and shifting weight to the heels.
3. Adjust Breathing: After reading each word six times, take a moment to adjust your breathing and return to a natural state.
If interested, you can search online for videos to observe and learn. This is just a brief overview. The previously reviewed “Emotional Health Preservation” methods are all beneficial for liver health. There are many paths to Rome; the key is to take action.
PART 03
Daily Routine Health Preservation
The main focus is on preventing pathogenic factors from invading and causing infectious hepatitis. Preventing hepatitis is a proactive measure for liver protection. Pay attention to the following points:
1. Ensure food hygiene, avoiding unclean water, poultry, and seafood to block dietary transmission routes.
2. Avoid unnecessary injections and blood transfusions, using disposable syringes to prevent infectious diseases.
3. Follow medical advice and use medications scientifically: Most drugs are metabolized by the liver, and some sedatives, antipyretics, and anti-rheumatic drugs can be hepatotoxic, so long-term use of chemical drugs should be avoided.
4. Spring is a good time for liver health. The spring season is associated with the rise of energy and is a peak time for mental illnesses and liver diseases, so special attention should be paid to liver health in spring. Ensure adequate sleep, avoid staying up late, and take naps to nourish the liver and blood; avoid mental stimulation to prevent liver qi stagnation.
PART 04
Exercise Health Preservation
The liver’s physiological function of regulating the flow of qi is related to the smooth circulation of qi throughout the body. The significance of exercise lies in promoting blood circulation, enhancing metabolism, and ensuring the smooth flow of qi and blood, providing the liver with sufficient oxygen and nutrients.
Activities such as walking, hiking, playing ball, or doing calisthenics are all beneficial. Ideally, choose activities that are gentle, expansive, and slow, aligning with the liver’s characteristics of smooth flow. Traditional health practices such as Ba Duan Jin, Tai Chi, Wu Qin Xi, and Yi Jin Jing are particularly effective for strengthening the liver and body.
Additionally, regularly stimulating the gallbladder and liver meridians helps maintain their smooth flow. Individuals who are easily irritable, anxious, or prone to negative emotions should massage the Tai Chong (Liver 3) point on the back of the foot for 3-5 minutes daily. Initially, it may be painful due to stagnation, but with continued massage, it will improve, and your mood will lighten.
PART 05
Microbial Health Preservation
Individuals with liver qi stagnation may benefit from: An Hui Shu Mu brand Ganoderma lucidum spore and goji berry capsule, An Hui brand lion’s mane mushroom and shiitake mushroom capsule, Mei Bao Mian brand Kang Mian capsule, An Hui brand Xi Yang Hong capsule. For those with excess liver fire, consider Li Chi brand Ganoderma lucidum spore, goji berry, and lion’s mane mushroom capsule, An Hui brand Hui Shen capsule. For fatty liver and obesity, options include Hai Er Si brand safflower fat-clearing capsule and Ke Qing Ting Ting pressed candy.
To Be Continued, More Exciting Next Week
