By Abayomi O. Meeks

Traditional Chinese medicine says each organ system has a specific time of year when it is at its peak or low performance levels. These seasonal periods provide a systematic way for people to pay attention to their vital organ systems, so they may strengthen and detoxify each with routine measures to prevent and control any disease patterns.

Spring is a time to focus on the liver and the gallbladder. These organs perform a broad range of important tasks in the body that allow it to live and thrive. These important functions include filtering or cleaning of the blood, emulsification (or breakdown) of fats, and production of neuro-hormones (hormones which control the nervous system).

The liver can become toxic, inflamed and congested from an over consumption of foods that produce excess acid and mucus (i.e. sweet, fried or processed foods or alcohol). The result can produce diseases such as hepatitis or sclerotic liver.

The liver and gallbladder produce bile to breakdown fats. Too many fatty, fried or dairy foods will overwork these organs, thus inhibiting their ability to function properly. This gives rise to digestive disorders and negatively affects other organs, such as the colon, spleen, stomach and kidneys.

Excessive eating of processed foods or drinking alcohol, along with mismanaging stress, will cause the liver to over and under produce certain neuro-hormones, which are responsible for modulating your nervous system. When these various hormones are out of balance you can manifest such symptoms as anxiety (or panic) attacks, insomnia, acid stomach, various diseases of the colon, excessive anger and so on. Therefore, we must keep these organs happy by doing periodic detoxification.

You can get started treating and maintaining a healthy liver and gallbladder by doing the following:

• Increase your consumption of raw and mildly cooked green leafy vegetables for seven-14 days and reduce sugar and meat consumption. Phytochemicals from green vegetables are major cancer fighters.
• Drink one gallon of distilled water mixed with six fresh-squeezed lemons (lemons act as an astringent). Try to do this for at least two days and make it a habit every month.
• Swallow one whole clove of garlic or take two 50mg capsules of garlic daily for at least seven days.
• Drink dandelion root tea (1-2 cups daily for 14 days). Dandelion root is a powerful blood purifier, is high in vitamins and minerals and alkalinizes the blood to counter hyper-acidity. It also has a diuretic affect, so if you already take diuretics be careful and minimize your consumption of this herb.
• Find healthy ways to manage anger (i.e. meditate, pray or exercise).
• Exercise at least 30 minutes daily to break a sweat (toxins are removed through the pores).
• Go to bed one or more hours earlier while detoxing (rest more and work less so your body and mind may recuperate).
• Do your annual physical exam with your doctor. Be sure a liver screen is part of your blood work. This test evaluates your overall liver function and alerts your medical doctor if something is abnormal.

Prevention is the key to longevity and minimal medical costs. A healthy lifestyle includes habits that preserve or enhance your overall health. Combine healthy strategies that you can apply as part of your daily routine. Develop your health team to help you organize a health plan that works best for you, and remember to always seek the knowledge and advice of a health professional before trying to self-administer these or any other health strategies you may consider.

Editor’s note: Abayomi Obadélé Meeks, B.S., D.Ac. L Ac. is a doctor of acupuncture and holistic medicine with more than 20 years experience. He is the first African American licensed to practice this medicine in Colorado. Meek is the founder of Moyo Healing and Cultural Arts Center, Inc.