The significance of liver governing dispersion to health preservation

The liver's control of dispersion is one of the core functions of the liver in traditional Chinese medicine theory. It means that liver qi has the function of dredging and regulating qi throughout the body, directly affecting emotions, digestion, and the movement of qi and blood. Paying attention to the liver's catharsis function in health care can help regulate emotions, improve metabolism, and prevent diseases. This article will focus on four aspects: emotional management, diet regulation, work and rest patterns, and exercise and health care, and explain how to achieve a healthy life by maintaining the liver's drainage function.

Emotional management: the key to soothing the liver and relieving depression

The liver governs dispersion and is closely related to emotions. Long-term depression and anger can easily lead to stagnation of liver qi, causing symptoms such as chest tightness and hypochondriac pain. Health care suggestions: 1) Keep a calm mind and relieve stress through meditation and deep breathing; 2) Cultivate hobbies, such as calligraphy, gardening and other soothing activities; 3) Talk appropriately to avoid emotional backlog. Zhang Jingyue, a physician in the Ming Dynasty, emphasized in "Jingyue Complete Book": "Anger hurts the liver, joy overcomes anger", indicating the importance of regulating emotions to the liver.

Dietary conditioning: Helps the liver qi to flourish

Improper diet will increase the burden on the liver. It is advisable to choose: 1) Green foods such as spinach and celery, which Chinese medicine believes "green enters the liver"; 2) Sour foods such as hawthorn and lemon, which can soften the liver and nourish the blood; 3) Avoid excessive greasy and spicy foods. Recommended dietary remedies: rose tea (soothes the liver and relieves depression), wolfberry chrysanthemum tea (clears the liver and improves eyesight). "The Yellow Emperor's Internal Classic" points out that "the five grains are nourishment and the five fruits are aids", emphasizing the protective effect of a balanced diet on the liver.

Work, rest and exercise: guarantee of catharsis function

Staying up late is most harmful to the liver. It is recommended to go to bed before 23:00, because the liver meridian is between 1 and 3 in the morning. Moderate exercise such as Tai Chi and walking can promote the circulation of Qi and prevent strenuous exercise from damaging liver blood. Can be combined with acupoint massage: Press Taichong point (between the first and second metatarsal bones on the back of the foot) for 3-5 minutes every day to help soothe the liver and regulate qi. "Yi Zong Jin Jian" of the Qing Dynasty records: "When you lie down, the blood returns to the liver", which illustrates the importance of adequate sleep for the maintenance of liver blood.

Comprehensive health advice and precautions

Maintaining the liver's catharsis function requires a multi-pronged approach: maintaining a good mood, a balanced diet, regular work and rest, moderate exercise, and avoiding excessive drinking and drug abuse. Traditional Chinese medicine conditioning products such as Xiaoyao Pills (soothing the liver and strengthening the spleen), Bupleurum Soothing Gan Powder, etc. can be used appropriately, but they need to be used under the guidance of a physician. Manufacturers include Beijing Tongrentang, Guangyuyuan, etc. The specific product ingredients and effects are as follows:

Cited sources: 1) Basic theory of "Huangdi Neijing"; 2) "Jingyue Complete Book" by Zhang Jingyue in the Ming Dynasty; 3) "Yizong Jinjian" by Wu Qian in the Qing Dynasty; 4) Modern Chinese Medicine Dictionary (2020 edition). Note: The products mentioned in the article must be used according to medical advice and are not recommended by advertisements.