Good Morning, Laine,
Thank you for your post.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, The liver and gallbladder are associated with Spring. They belong to the element of Wood. The Liver "system" is the "farmer who cultivates". It stores blood, governs and regulates the blood, organizes the "free flow" of Qi energy to promote circulation which cultivates our emotions, soothes digestion, regulates menstruation and bile secretion. The liver changes harmful toxins into substances, which can be eliminated safely by the colon or kidneys. The liver is our master cleansing organ and the gall bladder is its mate.
Enjoy a tall glass of water with a 1/2 lemon squeezed into it.
The Gallbladder system in Chinese Medicine is associated stores and excretes bile (as in Western medicine). The Gallbladder governs decision making and gives the courage and capacity to make decisions. Like the Liver, the Gallbladder controls the sinews by encouraging the Qi to the fascia. The Gallbladder also has an effect on our dreams. It is said that the Gallbladder effects the quality and length of sleep, if it is deficient, a person will wake very early and not be able to return to sleep. The Gallbladder's close relationship to the Liver is not only anatomical but they both play an essential role in the smooth flow of Qi throughout the body. In order to plan a good life (which is a function of the Liver), one needs good decision making skills (which is a function of the Gallbladder).
The Liver is the major organ treated in Chinese Medicine. It is the organ that rules the free flow of Qi. The primary symptoms of Liver Qi Stagnation include frequent sighing; inpatients, anger and temper outbreaks, a sensation of fullness or congestion in the chest, intercostal, or subcostal regions. Secondary symptoms include obstructed bowel movements; dry and distended eyes; feeling of something being stuck in the throat; self-doubts and crying; pain (especially intercostal and abdominal) that is characterized by moving, pulling, or penetrating sensations; in females; premenstrual breast distention; menstrual cramping and irregular menstruation.
You mentioned you take Milk Thistle and it does not seem to help you.
First of all it is one of THE best liver herbs on the planet, so my question to you is, are you taking enough of the herb?
Does your nutrition and lifestyle also SUPPORT your liver detox/cleanse?
This is very important.
In Western herbology, these are three of my favorite liver herbs:
Dandelion Root: Dandelion Root can be made into a bitter tea (dont sweeten it, the bitterness is how it works (you'll get use to it) as an excellent tonic for the liver and blood purifier. Dandelion roots are very high in vitamins and minerals. The common dandelion is an unusually nutritious food. Its leaves contain substantial levels of vitamins A, C, D, and B complex as well as iron, magnesium, zinc, potassium, manganese, copper, choline, calcium, boron, and silicon. Worldwide, the root of the dandelion has been used for the treatment of a variety of liver and gallbladder problems. Other historical uses of the root and leaves include the treatment of breast diseases, water retention, digestive problems, joint pain, fever, and skin diseases. The most active constituents in dandelion appear to be eudesmanolide and germacranolide, substances unique to this herb.
Milk Thistle: Milk Thistle is the best in cleaning our blood and liver and is a traditional way to get our health back on track and revitalize and nourish our entire internal ecological system from the ravages of winter. Milk Thistle is an excellent cleansers for the liver. Cleansing is one of the more important roles of Milk Thistle as it helps to prevent a host of problems our bodies can acquire from internal and external toxic overload.
Burdock Root: Burdock root helps to purify blood and restore the liver to aid in a restful sleep. Helps to reduce build up of toxins in the skin resulting in boils. Helps gallbladder functions and stimulates the immune system. Seed forms are also used.
In Chinese herbology there are several wonderful Liver formulas. You should see your local acupuncturist/herbalist to get a proper pattern diagnosis first.
As far as a great multivitamin, I will recommend what I recommend to my patients and that is Women's Synbiotic Nutrients. They are well researched organic vitamins
http://www.peacefulmind.com/supplements.htm
I hope this helps.
In happiness,
Andrew Pacholyk, MS. L.Ac
Peacefulmind.com
Therapies for healing
mind, body, spirit
--- In AlternativeAnswers@yahoogroups.com, laine513@... wrote:
>
> Thank you for this information about detox.. What would you recommend to be
> best to support and enhance the liver as a daily thing.. I used to take
> Milk thistle but didn't find much of a difference so I stopped it.. Also is
> there a brand name high potency multiple vitamin that you would recommend
> that is sold over the counter?
> thanks so much
> Laine
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
