Ayurveda and The liver

 The liver, according to Ayurveda, is the seat of pitta dosha. Different types of enzymes carry out metabolism and digestion in the body, which are referred to as ‘agni’ and ‘pitta’. The liver is the only organ that can regenerate itself, and it is also the body's biggest glandular organ. It is sometimes known as the "engine of the body" and plays several vital roles in digestion, metabolism, and detoxification.

Some factors and items can prove to be extremely detrimental and toxic to the liver, such as alcohol, caffeine, cigarettes, extremely spicy foods, emotions such as rage and hatred, chemicals in pre-packaged meals or medications. Even vata and kapha kinds of liver imbalances tend to worsen pitta and cause toxic build-up in it, thus impairing its function. Keeping an eye out for these sorts of imbalances and treating them early on, naturally helps to maintain the liver's health.

Here are a few tips and practices on how to maintain a healthy liver.

Ayurveda and The liver

The liver is the largest glandular organ in the human body and is located on the right side of the abdomen.. It aids the digestive system by producing bile that digests and absorbs nutrients; regulates the number of fats, sugars and proteins in the blood and detoxifies the body. The liver is also responsible for a person’s metabolism, regulation of certain hormones and breaking down of drugs and alcohol, making it the ultimate power-house of the body.

In Ayurveda, the liver is known by different names like Yakrit, Jyoti Asthana, Takima and Kalakhana among others. It is said to be the Pitta-Sthana or the seat of Pitta dosha.

Many diet and lifestyle factors tend to aggravate the pitta and through association, the liver. These include unhealthy food habits. Like consuming meats and oily food, excessive alcohol and drug consumption, lack of sleep, pollution, obesity, metabolic diseases, and irrational usage of prescribed medication.

Furthermore, the liver is prone to a variety of disorders due to its diverse functions. This is because Ayurveda does not distinguish between emotions and the body. If feelings of anger, hatred, envy, or jealousy are not processed or metabolised, their accumulation in the body can lead to liver diseases.

Some of these diseases include fatty liver, liver abscess, Hepatitis A, B, C D and E (Jaundice).

Here are some simple practices you can follow to keep your liver fit and healthy.

Fasting

This is an effective way to get the load off your liver and allow it to detoxify itself. This improves the liver’s ability to function optimally. Ayurveda emphasizes prevention when it comes to diseases. Periodic detoxifications through the panchakarma aid the preventions by revitalizing organs and enhancing their functionality.

Diet

Because the liver is tied to the pitta, adopting a pitta-pacifying diet can help the liver filter and eliminate toxins from the food we consume. These consist of moderate cooling fruits and vegetables that can be included in your regular diet.. Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet is crucial for optimal liver health.

A liver stimulating tonic that you can try is adding the juice of half a lime in a glass of warm water, stir well and drink it first thing in the morning to flush your liver with the antioxidants it needs for optimal functionality.

Exercise

Regular exercise not only helps your mental and physical wellbeing, but it also burns triglycerides which get stored in the liver and cause liver diseases. Maintaining a healthy weight can keep you from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease caused by obesity. Practising yoga is also a great way to destress and calm the mind and help regulate the emotional hot seat like the liver.

Regulate Your Sleep Cycle

While sleeping, it has been found that liver detoxification usually occurs between the hours of 11 pm to 3 am. Honouring your natural body clock can give your body the time it needs to rejuvenate. Thus enhancing its performance during the day.

Avoid Risks

Make sure you wash your hands with soap and warm water to keep germs that can cause liver diseases away. This ought to be practised before and after eating, after visiting public places, contact with commonly touched surfaces (like stairway railings, pressing elevator buttons, etc). Avoid drinking alcohol, and if you must drink in moderation as the liver is strained while breaking down alcohol, decreasing its ability to function optimally in the short term, and causing fatty liver in the long term. While using cleaning products, it is advised to use masks, gloves and goggles to avoid touching or absorbing any of these toxins. Most importantly, it is crucial to use only the best ayurvedic products for liver health, such as those by Amrutam. This will ensure the continued health and fitness of your liver and the rest of your body.