Women and the Liver

Kit Li

Recently, I prescribed some Chinese Herbal Remedies to a young teenager who is 14-year-old and needs to nourish her Liver due to her busy school life at school.  

Her symptoms are irregular menstrual cycles, stress, acne on her forehead and tiredness; in fact, most of her school friends have the same issues, and some of them also have severe emotional disorders. After taking Xiao Yao Wan (逍遥丸) for about two weeks, her stress level has been reduced, and she also sleeps better.

Regardless of age, most women experience similar health challenges. Have you noticed how stress affects your body? What are your favourite ways to unwind? Here are some insights from a TCM perspective:

1. Menstruation and Hormonal Balance: The Liver stores and regulates Blood, ensuring smooth menstrual cycles. If liver-Qi stagnates, it can lead to irregular periods, PMS, or mood swings, such as irritability and depression.
2. Emotions and Stress: The Liver is associated with the smooth flow of Qi. Stress or emotional suppression can cause Liver-Qi Stagnation, leading to headaches, frustration, or digestive issues.
3. Postpartum and Menopause Health: After childbirth or during menopause, Blood and yin deficiency can affect the Liver, causing symptoms like hot flushes, insomnia, tinnitus and anxiety.

Consequently, maintaining Liver health is vital, especially for women, whose emotional and reproductive well-being is closely linked to Liver function. Here are some suggestions for you:

1. Avoid cold and raw foods before/after and during the menstrual cycle because they produce 'excess' cold in the body, potentially leading to stagnation, cramping, and other menstrual discomforts. 
2. Since the Liver is linked to emotional regulation, managing stress through meditation and mindfulness can help prevent liver-Qi stagnation. (Xiao Yao Wan (逍遥丸) is commonly used for men and women to soothe the Liver and ease emotional tension.)
3. Moderate exercise, such as yoga, taichi, or walking in the woods, supports overall bodily functions, including the Liver.
4. Ensuring sufficient sleep and rest helps the Liver regenerate and detoxify.
5. Please visit one of my blogs, 'Spring has Sprung' (Part II), to find some tips on healthy teas that nourish the Liver.

As a final note, it is always advisable to consult with a qualified TCM practitioner who can tailor herbal remedies and acupuncture treatments to your specific needs, as individual constitutions vary.

Reference:

Xiao Yao Wan (逍遥丸):

It is a classic formula in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), primarily used to soothe Liver-Qi, relieve stress, and promote the smooth flow of Qi, which can help with symptoms like irritability, mood swings, fatigue, and menstrual irregularities.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10012199/

https://chinesemedicinesalon.blogspot.com/2022/02/a-natural-way-of-anti-depression.html