Going with the Flow: Tips for a Healthy Liver Meridian

Intro to the Liver Channel

From a 5 Element perspective, the Liver channel (i.e., the energetic roadway) is associated with the wood element and is enlivened during the Spring. Spring is the season of growth, renewal, movement and the “winds of change”, all of which have resonance with the liver channel. You can think of the way the wind carries seeds and pollen to stimulate new growth and fertilization of trees and plants which then produce vast amounts of green. We won’t talk about allergies haha (actually…acupuncture and herbal formulas are EXCELLENT tools to mitigate allergies but that’s another blog post)!

The paired channel of the Liver is the Gallbladder.  The Liver channel is reflective of life dreams, visions, aims, projects, inspiration, creativity and ideas. A healthy Gallbladder meridian gives us the courage and will power to pursue these endeavors.

The Chinese Circadian clock time of the Liver is between 1-3 am each morning and this is the 2-hour interval when the Liver qi is most active in its regenerative functions. The Gallbladder time is between 11 pm and 1 am. People who have imbalances in the Liver or Gallbladder channels often wake up during these hours. 

In general, the Liver meridian is strong but flexible when it's balanced. The Liver smooths the flow of qi in the body, including our ability to feel our feelings, de-stress and go with the flow. It also plays a big role in the qi flow required for healthy digestion and the bile secretion function of the gallbladder (sidenote: this is why digestion often gets disrupted when we are stressed, according to Chinese Medicine). In the physical body, the liver meridian also regulates blood volume, menstruation and keeps tendons and sinews in the body nourished and flexible. 

When out of balance, the liver meridian qualities can show up as rigid and tense with emotional overtones of anger, resentment, repression, frustration, irritation and, at its extreme, rage. Physically, liver meridian imbalances show up as problems like tightness, stiffness or pain in the head/neck/shoulders, high blood pressure, headaches or migraines, tinnitus, eye issues, a red face and/or gynecological issues. These are all indications that the liver and gallbladder meridians need some love. 

With intention, spring is a great time to work with the liver channel and expand what’s possible in your life. Engaging with new beginnings or activities, activities related to exercise, gardening, trees, plants, cleansing diets and shifting gears into new directions all have resonance with this time of year. 

Essential Oils + Points

Applying a small amount of chamomile, lavender or a citrus-based essential oil (lemon, orange, tangerine, grapefruit, etc)  to the acupuncture point Liver 3 Taichong “Great Rushing” and massaging the area for 2-3 minutes can assist the Liver when experiencing new or old energies relating to anger, frustration or irritation or getting “stuck” emotions to move. It is also a principle point for promoting the free-flow of Liver qi to the head, eyes, throat, chest, heart, breasts, epigastrium, belly, uterus and genitals. 

Another tool is creating a 3-part “pause practice” by pausing, taking 3 deep inhales and exhales while relaxing the body and combining these steps with the sensory experience of smelling chamomile, lavender or a citrus-based oil. 

Food Therapies + Herbal Medicine

Foods and herbs that are great during the Liver season are things like dandelion root and greens, burdock, nettles and milk thistle. The spring is also a good time to do a cleansing diet, like a 7-10 day kitcheree cleanse (see or a Master Cleanse. Drinking a cup or 2 of Dandy Blend or the Springtime herbal tea recipe below for 30 days is another gentle way to smooth and strengthen the liver channel and its functions. There are numerous Chinese Herbal Medicine formulas that can be applied to specific presentations of Liver meridian imbalance. Herbal formulas are gentle, have minimal side effects and can work on both “root” and “branch” signs and symptoms. Herbal medicine consults can be made by appointment here with both online and in-person options available.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture excels at releasing Liver Qi stagnation, reducing Liver “heat” in the body and smoothing out the rough edges of anger, irritation and frustration. Treating the Liver channel can also make dramatic improvements in blood pressure, digestion and headache presentations. Treatments are cumulative in nature and build upon each other and it is suggested to come in for a course of treatments if you’re interested in working on imbalances in the channels, including the Liver. Book an appointment here.

Spring Time Tea Recipe - Xiao Yao Wan

Chai Hu Bupleurum chinesis, B. scorzoneraefolium - 5 grams

Dang Gui Radix Angelica sinensis - 5 grams

Fu Ling Poria Cocos and Wolfiporia extensa - 5 grams

Gan Cao Glycyrrhizae Radix - 7 grams

Bai Shao Yao Paeoniae Lactiflorae Radix - 10 grams

Bo He Mentha haplocalyx - 10 grams

Fresh Ginger, chopped Zingiber officinale - 3 grams

Bring 5 cups of water to boil in pot with lid, add herbs, turn off heat and cover with lid. Steep for 1 hour. Store in refrigerator in glass jar and re-heat as desired.