Thinking of some healthy ways to support your liver this holiday season? In Traditional Chinese Medicine theory the liver is in charge of the smooth flow of Qi. Doesn’t that sound nice? Imagine having the smoothest flow… how easy things would be. When the liver is taxed Qi can become stagnated and Liver Qi stagnation manifests in tight shoulders (which bring on neck pain), sore red eyes, belching, upset stomach, irritability and maybe even anger.

The full list of Liver Qi Stagnation symptoms is as follows:

• Depression

• Mood swings

• Sighing

• Hiccups

• Frustrated easily

• Inappropriate anger

• Sensation of a lump in throat

• Difficulty swallowing

• Bitter taste in mouth

• Excessive sleep

• Constipation

• Abdominal pain and discomfort

• Stomachache that improves after massage

• Stomachache that worsens with anger

• PMS with irritability or swollen breasts

• Irregular or painful periods

• Poor appetite

• Churning sensation in stomach

Ok, so you might have some of the symptoms, or you might have ALOT of these symptoms. In my practice I have found acupuncture, diet and herbal therapy extremely helpful in resolving these issues. If you are finding yourself in need of some smoother flow of liver qi, I would suggest incorporating some of the following into your diet: basil, bay leaves, beets, black pepper, cabbage, garlic, ginger, leeks, peaches, scallions and rosemary. Foods and drinks to avoid: alcohol, spicy food, vinegar, tomatoes, coffee, fried foods, red meat, and sugar.

The keyword for those with stagnant Liver Qi is RELAX. Find ways to enjoy your life and take it easy. Exercising is great as long as your don’t overdo it, watching funny movies, deep breathing sessions and releasing your emotions are essential and help the Qi flow freely, easing tension-related health conditions. You may want to consider meditation or tai chi. Acupuncture on a regular basis is extremely valuable for those who suffer from Liver Qi stagnation. If you are dealing with difficult life issues, seeing a therapist or joining a self-help group is recommended. If you feel irritable and need to yell, let it out! It’s better for your health than it is to let it get pent up.

If your liver is needing some extra love, I would suggest taking a few supplements that help it detoxify such as milk thistle, dandelion root, and NAC. You can find high quality supplements recommended by me at my Fullscript account.