Spring is officially upon us, and it is a wonderful time for cleansing and renewal. Spring is associated with the wood element, which governs the liver and the gallbladder. This is the best time of year to focus on balancing and cleansing the liver/gallbladder through acupuncture, herbs, and diet.
What Are Some Signs Of Liver/Gallbladder Imbalance?
- Emotional stress/ tendency toward anger, irritability
- Pain/tightness/stiffness in the body
- Hormonal Imbalances
- Headaches
- Eye issues (red, itchy, dry)
- Allergies (including skin conditions)
- Menstrual issues (cramps, irregular periods, painful periods, PMS)
- Digestion problems such as bloating, poor appetite, gastritis
The liver acts as the powerhouse filter for our body. It filters our blood so toxins do not accumulate in our system. While this robust organ can certainly take a chemical beating, unhealthy lifestyle choices can result in fat accumulation and fibrosis. When the liver accumulates too much fat (more extreme cases known as fatty liver), or the tissue begins to become fibrotic, it cannot function at its optimal level. This can result in the accumulation of toxins which can lead to a whole host of issues. Luckily, the liver is known for its ability to regenerate, and a little TLC in the form of diet, herbs, and acupuncture can help it to do so.
In Oriental Medicine the liver is said to store the blood and regulate the volume of blood in circulation. It also maintains the smooth flow of qi (or energy) in the body. While liver imbalance can result in a variety of diagnosis in Oriental Medicine, two very common patterns are known as liver qi stagnation and liver blood stasis. The lack of movement of qi and/or blood can systemically impact the body resulting in symptoms such as musculoskeletal pain, headaches, moodiness, premenstrual symptoms such as breast distention/pain, irregular periods, painful periods, dark complexion, and pain in the liver/gallbladder region (or along the liver/gallbladder acupuncture channels). The liver can often easily impact the digestion so supporting the liver can also eliminate things such as gas, bloating, and even constipation.
And don’t forget about the gallbladder. This little organ is the liver’s partner in crime. It helps the liver to maintain the free flow of qi, and it aides in the digestion of fat by storing and secreting bile. Keeping the gallbladder healthy and clear of stones/sediment is important to optimizing biliary function and fat metabolism.
Read the rest of the article over on Montoya Medicine: http://www.montoyamed.com/blog/2015/spring-into-a-healthier-liver
About The Author:
JoAnna Montoya, L.Ac., Dipl.O.M. is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist as well as a nationally recognized diplomat of Oriental Medicine. She currently practices in Los Angeles, CA. JoAnna earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from UCLA and her Master of Traditional Oriental Medicine from Emperors College. Prior to entering acupuncture school, she completed a yearlong pre-medical internship at UCLA Medical Center with a focus on women’s health. While studying at Emperor’s College she interned at Providence St.Joseph’s Disney Family Cancer Center where she provided acupuncture care for multi-stage cancer patients. She has spent over a decade dedicated to education and patient care in both Eastern and Western medical settings, and she works to share her knowledge with others to help them improve their health and overall wellness. You can find her and her health/wellness blog at www.montoyamed.com.