something else that might be of service to you...the liver

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THE LIVER…

In traditional Chinese Medicine the liver is designated as the

disperser of " chi, " the life force. Thyroxin is the thyroid hormone

the liver uses to generate metabolism. The liver is the second

largest organ of the body (second only to the skin) and, undoubtedly,

the most abused. Responsible for over 500 known functions it is a

marvel of chemical precision with diverse abilities all necessary for

normal bodily function.

The master chemist portion of the liver metabolizes proteins, fats

and carbohydrates providing energy and nutrients for the other

systems of the body. It creates bile to help emulsify fats making

them easier to break down into their fatty-acid components, works to

maintain electrolyte (magnesium/calcium and potassium/sodium) levels,

is involved in the formation and breakdown of blood and helps to

maintain water balance by producing serum proteins.

As a supply office, the liver will provide extra blood on demand in

case of a critical situation. It also stores fat-soluble vitamins A,

D, E, and K.

As a fuel storage facility, it stores B vitamins, minerals and

sugars. The latter are stored as reserve sugar called glycogen, which

is to be released when blood stores of available glucose become low

due to exercise, stress or delayed eating.

Functioning as the major detoxifying organ of the body, the liver is

responsible for filtering the blood and removing harmful bacteria and

chemicals including the breakdown and elimination of excess hormones.

This function of our liver has been dramatically over burdened within

the last two generations because of the impact of our polluting

technologies and lifestyle habits: unending stress, poor diet,

alcohol and drugs. It is by this means that we have wreaked havoc on

this amazing organ and contributed more to our " dis-ease " than ever

before in our species existence on this planet.

We have been blessed with a remarkably resilient and faithful

servant, but how long the liver can stand this abuse is a critical

question. It works so hard to make things right and good and

comfortable for you. But after a time, subject to insult after

insult, the liver can become " deranged. "

HOW WOULD YOU KNOW IF THE LIVER IS " DERANGED? "

The liver expresses itself through the eyes. Red, inflamed

conjunctiva and sclera, watery, painful, feeling of sand in the eyes,

blurred misty vision, film over the eyeballs and guck in the corners

are all signs of liver imbalance. The amount of life and vitality

that the eyes reflect is a very good indication of liver health. A

dull listless, unfocused or tired look signifies problems. When the

liver is healthy it the eyes show with shine, focus and happiness.

If the liver is not " watering the yin " (not able to disperse

nutrients properly, watering being the key word here, half your body

weight in ounces a day is standard for health), ligaments and tendons

become tight. There is very limited flexibility. Knees, shoulders,

hips and other joints do not articulate well. Aching joints upon

waking in the morning and arthritis also fall into this category.

The nails reflect the quality of the liver. Split, flaking,

ridged, pale or brittle nails indicate liver disharmony.

Painful swelling of the breasts and pain on the left and

right sides of the body in the lower rib area indicate a potential

liver problem. A bruised or full tightness of the area just under the

lower curve of the bottom ribs on the right side of the body is a

good indication of liver problem. Headaches, and in particular

a " liver full " headache (this type of headache involves sharp

excruciating pain, nausea and vomiting), vascular, unilateral

headaches called migraines, flushed face, bright " apples " in the

cheeks, hot flushed feeling, and hot flashes are " liver excess "

symptoms. Acne, psoriasis and eczema, clear to white mucous discharge

from the nose typical of allergies and hay-fever, also ringing in the

ears, middle ear infection, and dizzy spells are also linked to the

liver.

Bitter taste in the mouth, dry mouth, a craving for sour foods: green

apples, lemons or vinegars indicate an irritated liver. According to

folk and Chinese medicine, sour will soothe the liver and appears to

be the reason for the craving.

Waking between 1 and 3 a.m., sometimes sweaty and agitated, and

unable to return to sleep for sometime, is a form of insomnia typical

of liver dysfunction. Centuries ago, the Chinese developed

a " celestial clock " based on when the flow of energy is at it's peak

for each organ system. According to this clock, and Western clinical

research, the liver is most active at these early morning hours. Some

physicians recognize waking at this time, as a typical symptom of

stress and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). In CFS, the liver is

inflamed. Because of this, the liver responds to normal daily rhythms

of function with excess activity.

The liver would like to wind down from 3 p.m. until midnight. Bile

production is at its lowest rate in the late afternoon into the

evening. This is the root of the practice in rural and traditional

areas of the world that the main meal of the day is eaten midday with

a light meal in the evening and signifies an innate wisdom that has

been lost, as the Industrial Age has progressed. At near midnight,

bile production is increased and in cases where the liver is

inflamed, the patient will be disturbed by this increase of liver

activity causing the patient to wake and be unable to fall back to

sleep immediately. The " liver-friendly " practice of retiring early

and rising early is reflected in the liver's physiological rhythms.

Liver repair is only successfully accomplished when the patient

sleeps. The need for good adequate rest for healing becomes apparent.

Late evening meals and keeping late hours regularly burden the body

dramatically, especially as the body ages.

Fatigue, irritability, lack of determination, being easily upset,

short tempered, feeling nervous sensitivity and attention to trivial

matters are all psychological " states of being " associated with an

aggravated or depleted liver. The emotion typically associated with

the liver is anger, flashing aggressive outbursts or just a plain mad-

at-the world attitude. Dreaming of war, fights, fighting and

destruction are liver symptoms that reveal themselves while we sleep.

Fear of exercise, making excuses or not desiring to commit to an

exercise routine or not wanting to be involved in physical activity,

depleted sexual desire, white-mucous-fishy smelling discharge of the

vagina, whitish discharge of the penis can also be indicative of

liver problems. Menstrual activity is greatly influenced by the

health of the liver, which means that menstrual irregularities

including excessive bleeding, cramps, light menses or the lack of

menses all have a liver connection.

This is only an incomplete list of symptoms associated with liver

pathology. Not a single symptom mentioned above is considered a

normal occurrence for a healthy body.

Healing the liver means reducing toxic encounters in diet, emotions,

environment, and lifestyle. Because of its role in pH regulation and

its combination of liver-detoxifying acids, Kombucha does improve the

liver's function and it's ability to heal. These attributes are most

valuable in assessing the benefits of drinking the Kombucha beverage.

YOUR LOCAL KOMBUCHA FARMER 586-354-1911 TINA RENEE