Traditional Chinese medicine says that the liver is the "great general" of the human body, and only when the liver is good can it command the normal operation of other organs of the body. But people's livers are extremely fragile, and they may be deeply injured after drinking a glass of wine, staying up all night, or getting angry once. How to protect our "great general" and make it a key part of our health?
6 major liver protection methods in traditional Chinese medicine
1. Bathing hands
Method: Take the habitual position, eliminate distracting thoughts, calm the mind, do not listen to the ears, do not squint, keep the dantian, and rub the palms together from slow to fast.
Interpretation: Patients with chronic liver disease often have liver qi stagnation, blood stasis and obstruction, qi stagnation and blood stasis lead to yang qi can not reach the end of the four ends, so many people will have the symptoms of tepid hands and feet, limbs are afraid of cold, through high-five, bathing hands such actions, not only can regulate the whole body qi and blood operation, but also improve hand blood circulation, thereby reducing the local symptoms of the hands.
2. Prostrate
Method: Stand upright, clench empty fists with both hands, and gently knock on the top of the head with the tips of both fingers. When kowtowing, only the wrist joint can be moved, and the elbow joint cannot be greatly extended and flexed.
Tap both hands from the forehead to the middle and back, and then from the back occipital to the left and right parietal edges to the forehead. The number of knocks varies from person to person, and fatigue usually stops.
Interpretation: Hitting the head with moderate force can encourage the flow of qi and blood in the liver and gallbladder meridians, and at the same time can invigorate the yang energy of the body.
3. Comb your hair
Method: Comb your hair with a wooden comb for 3-5 minutes 1 time a day. Comb through the hair first, then reverse the comb, then comb again. When combing, the force should be even and appropriate, and do not use too much force to prevent the scalp from being scratched.
Interpretation: Combing hair can not only stimulate local blood circulation, but also stimulate the acupuncture points of the liver and gallbladder meridians, regulate liver qi and benefit liver and blood. For patients with chronic liver disease accompanied by migraine, dizziness, tinnitus and other symptoms, it is especially effective to kowtow and comb their hair.
4. Bend over and expand your chest
Method: Feet are naturally separated, hands are crossed at the waist, first left and right side bends 30 times, then leans forward and backwards 30 times, and then expands the chest left and right with both arms several times.
Interpretation: Through the action of the waist on the active side, it can play a role in dredging the qi and blood of the liver and gallbladder meridians, and the chest expansion exercise can help the lungs to inhale clear air and exhale turbid air by fully stretching the chest, which is conducive to the smooth flow of liver and gallbladder qi.
5. Rub your ears
Method: There are many acupuncture points on the auricle, use the index finger, middle finger and ring finger of both hands to rub the auricle back and forth to stimulate the various acupuncture points distributed on the auricle. The number of times depends on each person's situation, usually about 20 times.
Interpretation: The liver and gallbladder are the inside and outside of each other, and patients with chronic liver disease often have manifestations of liver and gallbladder dampness and heat, such as flank distension and pain, abdominal distension and anorexia, short urine, etc., which stimulate the auricular acupuncture points and can relieve the liver and gallbladder dampness and heat.
6. Take a walk
Practice: Walking refers to informal, idle, and leisurely pacing.
Interpretation: When walking, qi and blood are spread around the body, which can significantly improve the situation of qi and blood stagnation, and at the same time, bathing in the sun or raising your eyes to look far away when walking, can nourish the liver and eyes, and regulate the mood.
Eat some "good food" in the eyes of the liver
1.茼蒿
Artemisia chrysanthemum has a sweet, pungent and flat taste, and has the functions of promoting liver qi, eliminating appetite and facilitating the intestines. Artemisia chrysanthemum contains more carotene, calcium, flavonoids and phenolic acid active ingredients, which help to nourish the liver, protect the liver, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.
2. White radish
White radish can alleviate symptoms such as cough and phlegm caused by vigorous liver fire, and has the effect of soothing the liver and regulating qi and replenishing liver blood. Whether the white radish is eaten raw or cooked, the tonic effect on the liver is very good, and it is recommended to stew it into radish soup with meat or pork ribs, which has better nutrient absorption.
3. 韭菜
Leeks contain special ingredients such as volatile essential oils and sulfides, which can exude a unique fragrance, which helps to regulate liver qi, increase appetite and enhance digestive function.
In addition to these 3 vegetables, it is also recommended that the average person consume 100 grams of animal liver per week and a small handful of nuts every day to help the repair and regeneration of liver cells.
Of course, regular diet, work and rest, and rational use of drugs are the basis for liver protection. If liver problems are suspected, you should see a doctor promptly.
From now on, get rid of the bad habits that hurt the liver and practice the diet and methods of liver protection!
Copyright Notice
This article is selected from China Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, recommended and published by Yunnan Traditional Chinese Medicine editor, and the copyright belongs to the original author.