Free and easy

Author

Artemisia O'bi
August 08, 2023

When I started studying Chinese medicine, I learned about the emotional associations for different organs in the body, which sparked an ongoing fascination with the Liver.

Maybe because the Liver associations are connected to some of my biggest struggles.

The Liver holds an emotional association and affinity with anger in this medicine. When there is free, ongoing expression of emotion, the Liver can more effectively perform its role of regulating the movement of Qi (life force; energy) in the body. However, when expression is repressed or constrained - when anger is pent up, especially over longer durations - the Liver also can become constrained and the Liver Qi can stagnate. When this happens, we can feel irritable, easily annoyed, frustrated, depressed, and lacking in motivation or hope. It also can be more difficult to regulate our emotions. We may feel resentment and have more frequent mood swings when the Liver Qi is stagnant. Menstrual cycles can become irregular and painful.

Alongside this association with anger, Chinese medicine also considers the Liver to be the organ in the body where the Hun - the Ethereal Soul - is housed. (In this medicine, we refer to what are called the “Five Shen” or the “Five Spirits'“. The Hun is one of these five. Each spirit has different functions and associations.) The Hun provides inspiration and intuition and helps us act on our more rational thoughts out in the world. In other words, the Hun needs to be able to move freely and easily in order for our intuitive, subconscious activity to interface harmoniously with our conscious thinking and rational cognition.

I find these parts of the medicine so interesting, even if a bit esoteric, and we can use these teachings to help us understand how we can support emotional balance and harmony within ourselves by looking at our health holistically.

Simply put, it is so important that we engage with life in ways that support the Liver.

From the perspective of Chinese medicine, the Liver likes:

  • Bitter greens and dark leafy greens

  • Legumes and grains

  • Smooth, flowing movement (e.g. yoga, stretching, tai chi, qi gong)

  • Routine and flow (e.g. waking up and going to sleep at the same times each day, regular meal time, etc. - this is not the same as rigidity)

  • Earlier dinner times (not eating a full meal soon before bed)

  • Going to sleep before 11pm

  • Creative expression

  • Emotional expression

The Liver is strained by:

  • Caffeine

  • Chocolate

  • Hot, spicy foods

  • Alcohol

  • Fried and fatty foods

  • Stress

  • Excessive activity (e.g. overwork, too much strenuous exercise, excessive sex)

  • Lack of gentle, flowing movement

When we look at these (non-exhaustive) lists, it is easy to see why Liver Qi stagnation is so common. Many of our modern, day-to-day life flows do not support the free and easy movement of the Liver Qi. Chinese medicine shows us how our physical and emotional bodies are really not separate - the relationship is bidirectional: when we are challenged in our physical health, our emotional health suffers, and when we struggle emotionally, we often experience physical consequences.

Herbal therapies can help to support the Liver. For example, one common formula called Free and Easy Wanderer (Xiao Yao San), helps to directly promote the smooth flow of Liver Qi. The main herb in the formula is bupleurum, a cool, bitter herb that has an affinity for the Liver and Gallbladder. There are many other herbs in the Chinese and Western materia medicas that can provide direct support for the Liver, but I always talk with clients about the importance of incorporating these herbs with changes in lifestyle. It’s ok to start small, maybe with one small change like drinking less coffee or making a solid attempt at a regular bedtime. Chinese medicine helps us better understand how some of these repetitive pieces of health advice (which, yes, we’ve probably all heard many times) are rooted in ancient teachings that arise from centuries of deep, careful observation.

Warmly,

Artemisia

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