Today, let’s hang in some Left Brain Wisdom and examine some ancient seasonal wisdom to give the liver a little TLC (our organs need a little love, too!)
In ancient Chinese medicine, each season is governed by two different interrelated organs in the body. Spring is governed by the liver and gallbladder. Today we’ll focus specifically on the liver.
The food we ingest can affect the liver one or two ways. It can: 1.) Block or congest the natural processes of the liver, or 2.) Support the natural flow of the liver.
Pathways of Elimination
The liver’s primary purpose is to convert fat-soluble toxins into water-soluble waste so your body can send them on their way via sweat, urine, and bowel movements. Yes, Spring is all about detoxification (Have you noticed this theme in the last few newsletters?)
We can support the bodies’ natural pathways of elimination nutritionally with key liver-friendly foods. Here are 4 of them…
1.) Daikon Radish
The daikon radish is a long, white, bitter root that you can grate right into your salad. In macrobiotics it is known as the “great fat dissolver,” supporting the breakdown of fat & mucus.
Use: Grate raw daikon radish right onto your salads or add chunks to soups, stir-frys, or baked roots
2.) Cilantro
The green leafy herb, contains a compound, linalool, that works to cleanse the liver. Cilantro is also known to help sweep heavy metals out of the body. It took me a while to really appreciate this one as I have memories of my mother using cilantro in EVERYTHING. Yet, wisdom prevailed and here we are ☺
Use: add cilantro to smoothies, any green, grain, or bean salad, or soup
3.) Millet
This mild and nutty gluten-free grain is one of the only alkaline-forming grains. Easy to prepare and easy to digest.
Use: Feel free to use millet as a breakfast grain, as a substitute for croutons in a salad.
4.) Cauliflower
Part of the Brassica family, cauliflower improves the liver’s function in detoxification by increasing toxin-neutralizing bile.
Using the “add in” method, you are able to upgrade your diet without feelings of deprivation. Over time, adding in whole foods can help balance the body enough that it begins to crave more naturally supportive foods.
To healthy, happy livers!
Laura
P.S. Registration is open for Empower Your Eating: 6 Weeks to a Hot & Healthy Body Image. If you want in, register here.