The Liver and Women's Health

[Guest guest]

The Liver and Women's Health

by David Briscoe

 

© 2001

 

At least ninety per cent of those who come to me for macrobiotic education are

women. Over the last twenty years I have been inspired by the strength and

dedication of so many of these women who have created vibrant and transformed

lives by applying macrobiotic thinking and lifestyle principles.

 

Many times women have come to me with questions about very specific female

health issues. Prodded by their questions and needs, my understanding of women's

health has been expanded beyond the standard macrobiotic recommendations.

Although this information has always been useful, I found that some women were

in need of more tools and knowledge than what was provided in the basic

macrobiotic information on women's health .

 

Over time I could see many common patterns in the health problems of women, and

I began to come to the conclusion that the liver is a major factor in a majority

of these conditions. Much to my surprise and interest, I discovered that this

view has also been part of the gynecological theories of traditional energy

medicine.

 

The Liver of energy medicine is a different concept altogether than the liver in

the Western medical understanding, although it includes the organ known in the

West. In energy medicine, the Liver is understood as realm of energetics

throughout the organism that controls and effects aspects of bodily activity

much beyond the Western medical viewpoint of the liver.

 

Energy medicine is based on the concept of qi (ki), the vital energy that

circulates through the body in an orderly process and is responsible for all

functions and transformations within the body, including the formation and

circulation of blood, digestion and assimilation of food and air, and the

creation and destruction of cells. In short, energy medicine views the body as a

manifestation of qi, and when qi flows and interacts properly, physical and

mental health is a natural occurance. When qi circualtion becomes excessive,

deficient, stuck, or out of control, various health problems arise.

 

A condition known as Liver Qi Stagnation is found to cause many symptoms

including many female health problems. Menstrual pain, PMS, breast cysts and

tumors, endometriosis, and many other female health problems have their roots in

Liver Qi Stagnation. Many women who have remedied this condition have seen their

health improve dramatically. In energy medicine, the Liver is known to control

the free flow of qi throughout the body, and especially in the organs located in

the pelvis.

 

The Liver and the Uterus are interrelated in energy medicine theory, for both

have the responsibilty of storing blood. Additionally, the Liver meridian, the

channel through which Liver qi flows, surfaces at the inside corner of each of

the big toes, travels up the inside of both legs, enters the pelvic area where

it wraps the uterus, and then travels up the front of the body to the eyes.

 

When Liver Qi becomes excessive or stuck, the entire lower abdomen will be

affected including the vagina, ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes, and large

intestine. All meridians which pass through the lower abdomen will also be

affected, including the Stomach and Spleen meridians and the Conception

meridian. This affects the flow of qi through all of these meridians,

contributing to various symptoms such as breast cysts, thyroid dysfunction,

vocal disturbances, heart trouble, and emotional instability.

 

The Liver is the organ most suceptible to excess and fullnes of qi, and this

fullness contributes to the often uncontrollable cravings for sugar that many

women experience in times of stress and emotional lability, or preceding the

onset of menstruation when the Liver tends to become especially full.

 

An excessive condition of the Liver will cause a weakening of the Spleen and

with this comes the increased craving for sugar.

Many women crave coffee and chocolate because the caffeine contained in them

temporarily disperses stagnant qi, but ingesting these substances does not get

to the root of the problem.

 

Since the Liver is the organ most susceptible to emotional upset and stress, it

is important for women to address these factors in their lives. More than

anything else, emotional lability and stress contribute to the stagnation of qi,

especially Liver qi. Today's woman often finds herself entangled in a web of

contradictory desires and social demands. On one hand there is the pressure of

contemporary society to be independent, self-sufficient, and career oriented,

and on the other hand there are demands from partners, family, and or children

for her to be there for them. These demands often place today's woman in a

tug-of-war emotionally that makes daily challenges to her emotional well-being.

 

I will now briefly outline what I believe to be the most practical ways a woman

can take action to relieve Liver Qi Stagnation. Almost every woman can benefit

from these practices no matter if she is clearly experiencing Liver Qi

Stagnation or not.

 

1 . Daily Deep Relaxation. Everyday practice some kind of mental/physical deep

relaxation for 20 minutes straight. There are many audio tapes on the market for

this purpose. I highly recommend the relaxation techniques from Chinese qigong

practice.

 

2. Aerobic Exercise. Non-impact aerobic exercise done regularly can provide

ventilation for Liver Qi Stagnation. Find a program or videotapes that appeal to

you and stay with it.

 

3. Abdominal Massage Daily. Gentle abdominal massage (also known as " hara

massage " ) can be a real help for many minor female problems and for health in

general.

 

4. Dietary Adjustments. A daily diet based on whole grains and vegetables as the

principle foods is the most helpful in my experience. Animal fats and animal

protein contribute greatly to liver stagnation. Fried and oily foods can be

reduced or eliminated. This includes nuts, oily seeds like sunflower seeds, and

nut and seed butters. Cheese, yogurt, milk and eggs contribute greatly to liver

stagnation. Indian and Mexican spices do not help. Basically, an intelligently

applied macrobiotic approach to eating is the very best, especially when it

includes an emphasis on lightly cooked leafy vegetables and sea vegetables added

to the regular macrobiotic dietary approach.

 

5. The Life That You Want. Most importantly of all is creating a life that you

truly are happy living. Without this, all diets and exercises are only of

minimal value. Each one must discover a life that provides happiness and true

pleasure and go for it with gusto.

 

(If you are interested in learning more about Liver Qi Stagnation and women's

health in general, please join us for the live online course, Women's Health

Today and Tomorrow, beginning in September.)

 

http://www.macroamerica.com/women%27shealth.html

_________________

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjoguest

DietaryTipsForHBP

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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