Spring, summer, autumn and winter liver care rules

  In spring, the function of the liver is more active, so liver diseases tend to occur again in spring. Patients with liver disease should pay attention to protecting Yang energy in spring so that it is constantly enriched and not depleted. In spring, liver qi is strong, and liver wood is strong against the spleen, so it is easy to damage the spleen and stomach, so it is important to protect the spleen and stomach. In terms of diet and medicine, we should eat more sweet and light products that strengthen the spleen and nourish the stomach.  In summer, the body’s metabolism is vigorous and the blood and Qi are active. In terms of health care, it is important to prevent internal invasion of dampness due to excessive rainfall in summer, and to prevent heat from depleting the body’s qi and yin. It is advisable to eat more foods that can quench thirst and promote diuresis, but it is not advisable to eat too much cold melons and fruits to prevent damage to the spleen and stomach.  In autumn, the physiological activities of the human body also change from outward and active to introverted and collected. In autumn, liver qi is mostly deficient, so it is advisable for patients with liver disease to pay attention to nourishing yin, taking into account the balance of nourishing liver qi and dispelling the residual dampness of summer heat.  In winter, the body’s physiological functions are at a low point. Winter health can replenish the body’s essence and prepare for the next year’s functional activities, or as the saying goes, “winter tonic, next year to fight the tiger”. Patients with liver disease should pay attention to “nourishing yin in autumn and winter” and nourish the liver and kidney yin essence by consuming some products that nourish the liver and kidney such as angelica, raw earth and aconite.