Liver diseases are characterized by a number of symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, indigestion, hypoglycemia, depression, irritability, foggy brain, loss of appetite, and constipation amongst others. Common liver diseases include hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, fatty liver disease, cirrhosis, liver cancer and more. Liver diseases require one to follow a restricted diet. For many liver diseases, low-fat and low-sodium diets are prescribed. Metabolism of high-fat and high-sodium foods stresses a weak liver. Yoga exercises help in improving liver health by stimulating the liver and other digestive organs.5 Yoga Exercises For Liver ProblemsKapalbhati PranayamaPranayam or yoga breathing exercises are found to be immensely beneficial in boosting the liver health of persons suffering from all variations or hepatitis, jaundice and liver cirrhosis. Kapalbhati Pranayama (Yoga Skull Shining Breathing Exercise), stimulates the liver and is very effective in treating liver problems. It improves the functionality of the liver and spleen.

Kapalbhati Pranayama is best performed by sitting cross-legged on a level surface, with a yoga mat spread on it. Deeply inhale once, then forcefully exhale the air through the nostrils. One inhalation and exhalation should ideally be completed in 5-10 seconds. The focus should be on the exhalation of the breath. This breathing exercise should be performed for a minimum of 15 minutes on a daily basis.Ardha MatsyendrasanaArdha Matsyendrasana (King of the Fish Pose or Seated Half Spinal Twist) is a very beneficial yoga pose of the liver. The scientific pressing of the liver stimulates and strengthens the liver that is damaged by stress, apoptosis, inflammation and fibrosis. To perform this asana, begin by sitting cross-legged.

Cross your left foot over your right with your knees raised above the ground and pointing upwards. Let your right hand pass over your left leg on its left side and hold your left foot with it. Now gently, press your left leg against your abdomen and turn your head towards the right, with your gaze pointed towards your right.DhanurasanaDhanurasana or Bow Pose is one of the most beneficial asanas for fatty liver disease. This asana, stretches, stimulates and strengthens the liver, so that the fat deposited in it is used up for providing energy to the body. Dhanurasana is an easy pose. Lie on your belly.

Raise your torso and your legs simultaneously. Hold your feet with your hands. Your body will appear like a bow with your arms as the bow string. Remain in this pose for as long as it is comfortable for you. Return to resting pose and repeat this exercise as many times as possible for you.Gomukh AsanaKapalbhati Pranayama is considered the best for treating liver cirrhosis, as it facilitates the removal of toxins from the liver that seriously damage the liver and the rest of your body. However, Gomukh asana ( Cow Face Pose) features amongst the best yoga asanas for managing cirrhosis. In liver cirrhosis, the scar tissues, prevent blood flow and oxygenation of the liver, thereby impairing the liver from removing toxins from your body, metabolizing fats and removing pathogenic bacteria from your body.

This asana massages the liver, thereby ensuring free flow of blood and oxygen in it. Perform this asana by squatting on the floor with one leg crossed over the other. Stretch out your spine. Pass your hands to your back, one from the shoulder side and another from your rib-side and try to clasp them from behind.NaukasanaNaukasana ( Bow Pose) is a simple yoga exercise for liver cancer. It stimulates and strengthens the liver and results in the release of toxins. Naukasana can be performed either by lying on your back or on your abdomen.

Raise the upper portion and lower portions of your body simultaneously resting your body on your abdomen. Stretch out your arms in front of you. Remain in this pose for as long as you can. Return to resting pose and repeat the exercise.

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Bottom of Form4 Yoga Poses to Help Detoxify the Liver

by Christina SarichPosted on July 25, 2014

How healthy is your liver?Sittingjust to the right of the stomach, your liver is the bodys largest gland used for detoxification. Itis responsible for purifying blood and creating bile, which helps your body to digest fats. Without a properly functioning liver, you can become over-encumbered with toxins and pesticide residues that cannot find an exit, only to recirculate into your blood.The liver is also responsible for breaking down alcohol, drugs (including antibiotics and pharmaceutical meds), andhormones, as well asconverting stored sugar into glucose. It also stores some vitamins and iron for the bodys use.The blood that comes into the liver from the spleen and gastrointestinal tractis greeted byKupffer cells, a kind of macrophage (quite literally, big eater). Theyre not picky and will, in plain English, eat the flotsam and jetsamright out of your blood by digesting these undesirable particles. They do the first pass of toxin flushing, after which anything not caught here gets further broken down by enzymes produced byHepatocytes,which are sensitive to blood sugar levels. - The GuardianYou might saythat the liver has a very important job.Because it is responsible for so much, it can be prone to disease. But in addition to indulging in a liver cleanse diet, there are several yoga practices that help to unclog and detoxify the liver, helpingit to function at its best.The internal organs are made of muscle tissue, too, and just like the muscles we get massaged sore arms, shoulders, back, legs, etc. the liver, along withother internal organs, could use a little help with blood flow and releasing tension as well.Here are 4poses that help to revitalize the liver:1. Padangusthasana(Forward Fold, or Hand to Toe Pose)Not only does this posture help to calm the brain and nervous system sinceyour head receives a plethora of blood flow, it also stretches the hamstrings and relieves lower back pain. It aids with digestive ailments, and can improve prostate function, too. The best part, though, is that because the body is essentially folded over itself, the liver gets a little massage, which helps to get old, stagnant blood moving through its musculature. The spleen andkidneys receive the same benefit.Simply stand with feet hips distance apart, and bend from the hinge of the hips forward, allowing your fingers to curl around your toes and the head to dangle in gentle traction. You can also practice this one lying down, in which case it is calledSupta Padangusthasana, and practiced one leg at a time. The standing posture will aid the liver, more; however.Image from yogaartandscience.comRead: 4 Ways to Protect the Liver from Prescription Drug Damage2. Supta Matsyendrasana(Supine Spinal Twist)This posture is relatively easy for most people to practiceand can be donelying on the floor. Simply placeyour arms out wide like airplane wings, lettingone leg role across the body until your spine is stretched to its maximum while still comfortable, and also allowing the shoulders to stay flat on the floor. You should look away from the leg that is across the body. (Just be careful if you have degenerative discs.)Due to the axial rotation of the spine, not only are the glutes and spine stretched, but again, the internal organs are massaged, and the liver is purified and vitalized.Image from miravalresorts.com3. Bhujangasana(Cobra Pose)This posture stretches the whole length of the spine, and if done correctly, also stretches thetransverse and rectus abdominis (which help to hold your liver and other organs in place) all the way up to your neck muscles. It can be practiced with the belly face down on the floor.Simply place yourhands on either side of yourchest and begin to press the heart up and away from the floor, keeping the shoulders down away from the ears. You can press up part way and rest on your forearms, which is called easy-hand cobra, or press all the way up until your arms are straight. The stretching of the abdominal wall also transfers to the liver, and helps increase blood flow to this area of the body.Image from yogajournal.com4. All Yoga InversionsThese include headstands,shoulderstands, handstands, wide-legged forward folds, etc. One of the primary ways the body also detoxes itself is through lymph flow. This system relies entirely on musculature movement, or turning the body, literally on its head to reverse the flow of lymph and help the body rid itself of impurities accumulated in different organs including the liver.These yoga postures also send blood flow to the master gland, the pituitary, which regulates the entire endocrine system. When the lymph is moved through the body via an inversion, the lymphocytes can attack foreign bacteria and viruses, and the liver is freed up to work on things like heavy metals, pesticides, and other toxins. When both thelymph systemand the liver are cleansed in tandem, the body enjoys greater health and less risk of disease.Image from miravalresorts.com

Support natural health instead: checkout the new Natural Society Natural Health Clothing Line today and fund themessage of organic living through our exclusive new designs!About Christina Sarich:Christina Sarich is a humanitarian and freelance writer helping you to Wake up Your Sleepy Little Head, and See the Big Picture. Her blog is Yoga for the New World. Her latest book is Pharma Sutra: Healing the Body And Mind Through the Art of Yoga.

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I recently went to see an acupuncturist for some chronic digestive problems and she told me that my liver is congested. Is this something serious? What should I do? Consider this diagnosis a wake-up call. A congested or stagnant liver wont put you in immediate danger, but it will produce symptomsin your case digestive problemsthat can lower your quality of life and indicate that youre headed for trouble down the road. Think of liver congestion as a precondition for more serious problems. It occurs before Western medicine can detect any sign of liver malfunction, and it is a condition you and a traditional medical practitionersuch as a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) or ayurvedic doctorcan remedy.Both TCM and ayurveda attribute liver congestion to heat that is trapped in the liver. They seek to clear and cool the organ through lifestyle changes and herbal treatments. Both TCM and ayurveda attribute liver congestion to heat that is trapped in the liver, and they seek to clear and cool the organ through lifestyle changes and herbal treatments. The liver is a natural multitasker: it plays a large role in metabolism, helps build proteins, breaks down hormones, clears toxins from the bloodstream, and much more. Ayurveda views the liver as hot or pittic because the fiery, dynamic energy of pittaone of the three doshas (along with vata and kapha) that regulate the physiological functions of the bodyguides and supports these myriad functions of the liver. Too much fiery energy, however, can accumulate in the liver and lead to physical problems.Ayurveda describes symptoms caused by excess pitta that are very similar to what is called liver fire in TCM: headaches; flushed face; red, burning eyes; acne; nosebleeds; and outbursts of anger. Ayurveda adds inflammation, allergies, and symptoms of indigestion (like heartburn) to the list. Changes in lifestylelike eating cooling foods, getting regular exercise, and taking time to relaxare often enough to bring pitta back into functional balance.Herbal First AidMany herbs that support liver function can calm and pacify imbalanced pitta and reduce liver congestion. Some of them increase bile flow, others support the enzymatic detox processes, and some simply nourish or stabilize the liver. The herbs listed below are generally safe for clearing liver stagnation, but if you have a significant liver condition, its best to consult an experienced health practitioner before treating yourself.BittersUniversally recognized as strengthening for digestion, bitter herbs cause a reflexive secretion of gastric juices and tone the muscles of the digestive tract. They also support detoxification by helping the liver process incoming nutrients and filter impurities from circulation. And they have antibacterial and heat-clearing properties, which support immunity and pitta balance. Herbalists often combine barberry, turmeric, dandelion, celandine, goldenseal, gentian, chiretta, and/or neem in bitter formulas. These herbs are best taken in small doses as tea or diluted extracts 20 to 30 minutes before a meal to support liver function, detoxification, and digestion. (Pregnant women should check with their doctor first.)PurgativesHerbal wisdom says that in order to efficiently clean up a toxic liver, your bowels need to moveotherwise, toxins removed from the liver get reabsorbed rather than excreted. According to ayurveda, pitta accumulates in the small intestines, and purgatives (laxatives) help to release it.One of the gentlest purgatives, and the one I prescribe most often, is the soluble fiber psyllium, which can safely be used on a daily basis for months. Start with one teaspoon in two cups of liquid, and chase that with one-third cup of liquid once a day at least 30 minutes before ingesting anything (supplements and medications included)or two hours after. I also recommend the ayurvedic classic bowel tonic triphala for long-term regulation; try two capsules before bedtime daily for two to three months.Liver TonicsMilk thistle has become a relatively well-known liver tonic in recent years, as more research has demonstrated its effectiveness in reversing chemical-induced liver damage and preventing liver toxicity during chemotherapy. Considered nontoxic, milk thistle can be taken for months and is a common ingredient in liver support formulas because of the way it nourishes and strengthens the organ.In the Chinese system, many herbsnotably schisandra and bupleurumfortify and protect the liver. These can be taken as part of herbal formulas for several weeks and help repair liver damage. Take liver-tonifying herbs separately from bitters, as directed on the labels or as prescribed by a knowledgeable practitioner.FastingThe liver is a resilient organ, so it can often decongest itself if you reduce the burden on it. Every time you eat anything, you flood the liver with nutrients and potential toxins. Fasting helps it catch up. Detoxification processes require energy and nutrients, however, so its wise to drink fresh vegetable and fruit juices every three hours or so when fasting to provide this needed support.Drinking easily digestible nutrient-dense juice gives you the minimum you need calorically to prevent the breakdown of muscle for fuel. Ideally, fasting only lasts one to three days, and occurs when youre calm and relatively at easenot when youre racing around and stressed out. Dont starve yourself or let yourself become weak or depleted and always stop a fast at any sign of exhaustion (dizziness, weakness, cold sweats, or trouble with thinking). Pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses (especially diabetes and low blood sugar) should consult their physician before undertaking a fast.Live for Your LiverOverall, both ancient wisdom and modern science agree that how we live has a huge effect on our livers. So even though you cant avoid chemical contaminants completely, you can keep your liver healthy if you just take care of it by following these suggestions:Nourish yourself well. Eat good-quality food when you are hungry. Avoid overeating (more liver burden) and refined or heavily processed food.Remember that high-fiber diets help keep the bowels, liver, and blood clean by facilitating elimination. Hydration also helps.Fast on fresh juices for a dayor even just a mealevery week or two.Minimize exposure to chemicals of all sortsfrom food additives and cosmetics to caustic cleaning agents. Remember that the liver needs to break down every chemical entering the body either for use or excretion.Use recreational drugs and alcohol sparinglyor better yet, quit!Experiment with some bitter or liver tonic herbs for six to eight weeks. Note any changes in body, energy, or mind.Take time to breathe deeply, relax, meditate, or pray. Stress can aggravate liver congestion.Your liver is incredibly capable. Trust that it can cope with whatever youve exposed it to so far and then do your best to make its to-do list a little less long!Consider a Few Lifestyle ChangesThe obesity epidemic has everyone concerned about body mass index, but the condition called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) that often accompanies it also demands our attention (incidence in the West is estimated at 20 to 40 percent). In many ways, it is the physical manifestation of what TCM and ayurveda call liver congestion. The liver is literally clogged with undigested fat (triglycerides).Studies have linked this condition to the increased consumption of poor-quality food (especially high-fructose corn syrup and trans-fats). In agreement with TCM and ayurveda, recent research points to lifestyle modifications such as diet, moderate exercise, and stress management for treating NAFLD and improving liver function.Stimulate Your Liver ChiTraditional Chinese medicine identifies four gates for relieving liver stagnationtwo acupuncture points each at Liver 3 (Taichong) and Large Intestine 4 (Hegu). These are located in the hollow between your big toe and second toe on your feet, and on the fleshy area between your thumb and index finger on both hands. You can increase the flow of chi (vital life force, the equivalent of prana) and blood throughout your bodyand relieve stress and anxietyby massaging them as follows:Taichong: Place your right heel in the space between the big and second toes on your left footits similar to Liver 3 on your handsand knead for 30 seconds. Reverse feet and repeat.Hegu: Press your right thumb between the bones that attach to your thumb and index finger on your left hand and massage for 30 seconds. Reverse hands and repeat.Follow a Pitta-Balancing LifestylePitta can be an asset: Physically, pitta creates strong digestive fire, warmth, and vitality. Mentally, people with strong pittic constitutions are intelligent, organized, industrious, and efficient. But to their detriment, pitta-dominant people can also get overheated easily, sweat readily, and get irritable when hungry or frustrated. They tend to work long hours, push themselves hard, and often have perfectionist, critical temperaments.This intense state of mind creates more energetic heat on top of an already hot physical system. Not everyone has a pittic constitution, of course, but stress, hot chilies, and even the summer sun can cause just about anyone to overheat, which may lead to excess pitta, inflammation, headaches, skin rashes, allergies, high blood pressure, or liver congestion. Below is a list of tips for keeping pitta in check:Eat food that is cool, dry, light, sweet, and bitter, such as:beansgreen vegetables (especially bitter salad greens and cabbage family)sweet fruitswhole grains (especially oats and barley)and fresh dairy (in moderation).If you have strong, pittic digestion you can also handle large amounts of raw food, which is cooling and balancing for excess heat.Cut back on heating foods and heating tastes, including:oilsalthot spicesfermented food (alcohol, vinegar)tomatoesegg yolkscoffeered meatrefined flour and sugarChill out!Take a break from mental work and stretch, breathe, walk, or create. Practicing yoga, taking a bike ride, spending a day in the mountains, singing in a choir, and taking a pottery class are all great ways to shift your mind to a more relaxed, open place.Exercise regularly at moderate intensity.Avoid being supercompetitive and stop before exhausting yourself.Express yourself.Pittic intensity needs an outlet, so use art, movement, and speaking to express yourself.

ABOUT Carrie Demers Board-certified in internal medicine, Carrie Demers, MD, is a holistic physician who blends modern medicine with traditional approaches to health. After receiving her medical degree from the University of Cincinnati, Dr. Demers went on to study massage, homeopathy, nutrition, herbal medicine, yoga, and ayurveda. She has been the Director of the Himalayan Institute Total Health Center for the last 16 years. Widely recognized for her expertise, Dr. Demers has been interviewed by numerous... Read more>>