5 herbal remedies to nourish the liver in spring.

According to Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hang, Department of Traditional Medicine, Hanoi Medical University, the liver plays a vital role in blood storage (reserving and regulating blood volume in the body) and regulating qi (vital energy), helping to maintain balance in the body's functions. Caring for the liver is not only important for overall health but also contributes to the body's physiological functions. Protecting the liver is the best way to improve health and quality of life.

1. Why is it important to take care of your liver during spring?

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, spring belongs to the Wood element and is closely related to the Liver. This is the time when the body's Yang energy is abundant, and blood circulation is stronger. If one consumes a lot of spicy and hot foods, alcohol, stays up late, or experiences prolonged stress, the Liver energy can easily become stagnant and generate heat, which can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, acne, dry eyes, irritability, or difficulty sleeping.

Therefore, in spring, it is advisable to maintain a light diet, limit alcohol consumption, get enough sleep, and keep a relaxed state of mind to help regulate liver energy and promote overall well-being.

2. Common herbal remedies for liver health

Artemisia capillaris – clearing heat, promoting diuresis, and benefiting bile: According to Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hang, Artemisia capillaris is a familiar herb in prescriptions related to the liver and gallbladder. It has a bitter taste, is slightly cooling in nature, and has the effects of clearing heat, promoting diuresis, and benefiting bile. The herb is often used when the body shows signs of internal heat, poor appetite, mild jaundice, or mild liver and gallbladder dysfunction. Artemisia capillaris can be decocted in water or brewed as tea.

Phyllanthus niruri – Clears the liver, relieves dampness: Phyllanthus niruri (also known as sawtooth dogwood) is a commonly used medicinal herb in traditional folk medicine. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, Phyllanthus niruri has a bitter taste, a cooling nature, and acts to clear the liver, relieve dampness, and detoxify . It is often used when the body shows signs of heat accumulation, acne, or internal heat. Phyllanthus niruri can be decocted or brewed as tea, sometimes combined with Artemisia capillaris or artichoke in remedies that support liver and gallbladder function.

Artichoke – cools the body, promotes bile flow, aids digestion: Artichoke is a familiar herb in liver support products. It has a bitter taste, a cooling nature, and helps to clear heat, promote bile flow, and aid digestion. Artichoke is often used in the form of tea, decoction, or incorporated into various dishes.

Solanum torvum – supporting liver cell protection: Solanum torvum is a traditional Vietnamese herb commonly used in remedies to support liver health. According to folk experience and some modern research, Solanum torvum can help protect liver cells and improve liver function. This herb is often used in the form of a decoction or combined with other herbs in liver support remedies.

Centella asiatica – cooling and detoxifying: Centella asiatica is both a familiar food and a medicinal herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It has a bitter taste and a cooling nature, with effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, and promoting diuresis. It is often used when the body feels hot or restless.

Centella asiatica can be used in several simple ways, such as:

- Drink fresh centella juice: Take about 30-40g of fresh centella leaves, wash them thoroughly, crush or blend them with a little water, and strain to get the juice to drink. You can add a little sugar or salt to make it easier to drink.

- Brewing dried centella tea: Use about 10–15 g of dried centella, put it in a cup, and steep with boiling water for 10–15 minutes, just like making tea.

- Used in cooking: Centella asiatica can also be processed into dishes such as Centella asiatica soup with minced meat or boiled Centella asiatica, which helps to cool the body and aid digestion.

Note: Centella asiatica has cooling properties, so it should not be consumed in excessive amounts or continuously for extended periods.

3. Precautions when using liver-nourishing herbal remedies.

• Herbal remedies can support liver function, but they need to be used correctly and appropriately for one's individual condition.
• Herbal teas should not be used excessively as a substitute for water for extended periods.
• People with chronic liver disease should consult their doctor before using this product.
• Some medicinal herbs have cooling or diuretic properties, so people with a cold constitution, pregnant women, or those with weak health should use them with caution.
• The use of herbal remedies should only be considered as a supportive measure, not a replacement for medical treatment when there is liver disease.

Besides using medicinal remedies, some familiar foods can be chosen depending on the body's condition to help make eating more comfortable and aid digestion:

- Artichoke soup with bone broth: Suitable when you feel bloated, have a poor appetite, or experience indigestion after fatty meals.

- Minced meat soup with pennywort: Can be consumed when the body is overheated and prone to acne.

- Mung bean porridge: Suitable when the body is tired, appetite is poor, or a light, easily digestible meal is needed.

Choosing foods that suit your body condition and maintaining a light, healthy diet will help your digestive system function smoothly and contribute to supporting liver function.

According to Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hang, to support liver function in the spring, everyone should: