Liver Yin or Yang?

Most Liver imbalances can be classified as Liver deficient or liver excess. Either imbalance is ultimately a drain on life force and will eventually manifest in chronic disease or early degeneration later in life.

• Energy is quiet /inward – yin sensitive feminine type of energy
• Takes on a lot of tasks but has poor follow through
• Holds onto anger until it builds up
• Sluggish system overall (digestion/circulation/elimination)
• Smaller body type/frame
• Generally cold
• Pale skin (due to poor circulation)
• Dry/flaky skin
• Diet predominantly consists of simple carbohydrates, little protein and fat
• Grazer/Frequent munching or stimulant use to compensate for blood sugar craving
• Periodic hypoglycemia
• Frequent energy boosts then crash can lead to “dull brain” feelings
• Allergies/ Hay Fever
• Hypersensitivity
• Asthma
• Eczema
• Arthritis
• Slow healer of wounds
• Vaginitis
• Prolonged menstruation, cramping, spot-bleeding

• Yang type of personality/ outward directed, masculine
• Good follow through on goals
• Resistant to change (stubborn)
• Expresses anger easily with little remorse
• Can have larger frame
• Skin is moist/even greasy
• Fingers/toes are warm
• Digestion is rapid
• Wounds heal rapidly
• Sweating is easy
• Skin shows signs of heat (ruddy face)
• Diet is high in protein and fat (loves steaks and cheese)
• Generally does not like “cool” foods i.e., salads
• Menstrual cycle is short, though possibly heavy
• Tendency towards water retention
• Tendency towards high blood pressure
• Tendency in women towards gallstones
• Feces are usually soft, dark and easily passed
• Disease response is rapid, feverish and sweaty

A liver deficient person usually shows signs of hypoglycemia because the liver does not have sufficient fuel stored and is unable to respond to the brain’s need for blood sugar. Liver deficient people usually live on diets of simple carbohydrates with little fat or protein, which further agitates the low blood sugar level. Frequent munching is common in an attempt to keep the energy levels up.

When there is a deficiency, the Liver function becomes slow and languid. Cellular wastes in the returning blood will circulate through the system longer, polluting the inner environment with its own metabolic waste. This excess protein waste in the blood stimulates a white blood cell response. The white blood cells (the main line of defense) react by creating a chronic low-level agitation in response to what might be an infection, they don’t know. The white blood cells induce inflammation and send chemical messages to other defense cells in the body. These other chemicals are proteins also. With the liver deficient, they also circulate in the blood stream for too long setting up a chronic unnecessary low level of agitation. This is the underlying cause of most allergies and hypersensitivities. Most people who suffer chronic asthma, hay fever, allergies, arthritis and eczema are Liver deficient.

A liver deficient system result is poor use of ingested nutrients and less efficiency in synthesizing the proteins and cholesterol needed for cell regeneration. Wounds heal slowly, the skin gets dry and flaky, sebaceous glands don’t get enough cholesterol to keep them well lubricated, the circulation is poor, menstrual cycles may be painful, prolonged and the blood scant and thin. Problems with blood sugar levels ensue.

The liver deficient person usually needs more chi (heat) or energy in their system. One way to incorporate this added heat or energy is through diet and medicinal herbs. The diet should include more high quality protein, fats and oils, steamed vegetables, root vegetables, and warming foods. Decrease the intake of sweets, cold drinks, fruit juices, dairy, raw foods (even salads), and sweet juicy fruits.

Herbs specific for deficiency – Oregon Grape Root, Barberry Root, Yellow Dock Root, Golden Seal Root, Nettle, Red Clover, Dandelion Leaf and Chaparral.

A red toned or easily flushed skin characterizes the liver excess type. They are generally stubborn with a yang, outward expressive attitude about life. Excess people are usually of larger frame more boisterous and louder than their Liver deficient counter-part. The skin is moist or even greasy, they are generally warm and digestion is rapid. Wounds heal quickly and sweating is easy. There may be a tendency towards water retention, high blood pressure and gallstones. For women, the menstrual cycle is very substantial and generally short.

Diet is essential to correcting the imbalances of Liver excess. Usually the diet is predominantly proteins, fats and concentrated heat (energy) producing foods. Decrease proteins and fatty foods while increasing raw foods, fruits and juices. Include lots of salads of leafy greens, fruit salads and water in the diet. Decrease hot, spicy foods replacing with cooling more liquid type of foods.

Herbs specific for excess – Dandelion Leaf & Root, Burdock Root, Chicory Root, Sassafras, Sarsaparilla, Nettle, and Red Clover.

Both a liver Yin or Yang Condition or a combo condition (shared qualities of both) can be addressed through a customized Herbal Program. See Custom Herbal Programs and fill out the herbal intake form to start your custom program today.

HEALTH NOTE: the information included here is non-diagnostic. Any concerns about your health and supplementation with herbs or diet should be done in consultation with your doctor. Diseases of the liver are serious and require medical assistance.