The liver is an important organ in the human body, playing a decisive role. What specific functions does it have? Let’s start with a story about life and death. People have observed that when babies are born, their thumbs are always tucked in their palms, protected by the other four fingers in a fist-like posture. Similarly, when a person dies, their palms are open, as in the expression “letting go of the world.”
These phenomena are closely related to the liver. Traditional medicine believes that the liver houses the soul, with liver qi being likened to lamp oil – when the oil is sufficient, the vitality of life is strong. When a baby is born, with the fontanel on the head still open, the soul is unstable. The base of the ring finger corresponds to the liver’s acupoint, and when making a fist, the thumb can press this area, stabilizing the soul. Thus, a strong grip in children indicates strong liver qi. When a person dies, the weakened liver qi leads the soul to depart, no longer needing to be anchored in a fist.
Therefore, a healthy liver signifies strong vitality. While many strive for longevity, liver health is often overlooked. Especially among men, liver issues are more common. Apart from genetic and congenital factors, men’s behaviors play a significant role in liver health.
Men’s poor liver health may be attributed to five factors:
1. Environmental pollution: Living in cities exposes individuals to pollutants like car emissions, dust, and contaminated air and water sources, burdening the liver’s detoxification process.
2. Alcohol abuse and social drinking: Men tend to socialize more than women, often involving smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, which gradually damages liver cells and tissue.
3. Overwork and lack of sleep: Prolonged work hours, overwork, and insufficient sleep hinder the liver’s self-repair, akin to a vehicle without maintenance losing longevity.
4. Consumption of foods and beverages with excessive additives: Men’s strong flavor preferences lead them to consume more processed beverages with additives, further burdening the liver’s detox function.
5. Excessive screen time: Long hours spent on smartphones and computers strain the eyes, which rely on nourishment from liver blood; thus, eye damage equals liver strain.
How many of these factors apply to you? Hopefully none. In traditional medicine, poor liver health includes both liver diseases and suboptimal liver function. How can individuals with poor liver health regulate it? Here, I recommend a book on liver health for further insights.
Additionally, here are three natural ingredients that promote liver function and detoxification for better health:
– Goji berries: Nourish and benefit the liver, enhance blood production, tonify the kidneys, and improve detoxification.
– Red dates: Aside from their blood-nourishing properties, red dates support liver health and detoxification when boiled in a soup with Tremella and honey, promoting liver health and aiding sleep.
– Hair moss: Resembling hair, hair moss is a type of fungus highly valued for its medicinal benefits, supporting liver health, lowering blood pressure, and aiding in healing injuries, including post-surgery recovery for liver patients.
Note: The images are sourced from the internet.
