Orange and Liver Qi Stagnation
Chinese medicine talk about Qi as being of the most important functions of the organs. Organs qi such as heart qi, lung qi, kidney qi and spleen qi. Every organs qi dominate different physical functions, normal physical organs qi should be not too much neither too deficient, but should flow smoothly (meaning that the qi should not be ’stuck’ in one certain place). If the qi is not working properly it will cause a disease. In this article I am going to talk about one of the abnormal qi -Liver qi stagnation. What is liver Qi stagnation?
Liver qi normally should circulate through out the liver and the liver channel smoothly. If the liver qi is stuck in the liver or in certain parts of the channel, it will cause the following symptoms: Tightness in the chest, breast full and tender before the period, period pain and blood clots, upper and each side of the abdomen have bloating and pain, headache, puffiness around eyes, anxiety, emotional, insomnia and vivid dreams. Because the liver channel runs through the breast area, if the liver qi is stagnant for too long or in very high amounts can cause breast cyst. If the symptoms are not too severe or have just begun you can eat one or two oranges to help smooth and circulate the liver qi, which will help to remove the associated symptoms.
Why oranges can help these symptoms?
One of the Chinese books mentions;
1) Oranges have cooling characteristics and can help to remove stagnation of the qi. <Be Cao Gong Mu Shi Yi> also records oranges can clear away the stagnation from the chest and upper abdominal area. Thus it can help the smooth the liver qi, as the liver is located around this area.
2) Also oranges can help relieve the toxins from over drinking of alcohol. They can help to repair the liver function. If you eat oranges for a period of time, and the symptoms of liver qi stagnation do not subside, we suggest you see a doctor or an experienced chinese medicine practitioner. Chinese practitioners usually uses traditional diagnosis such as pulse and tongue diagnosis, to find out the cause of the symptoms. They will also use treatment such as acupuncture or chinese herbal medicine to help strengthen the liver and smooth its qi to treat the cause and the symptoms.
How to eat Oranges?
Orange is sweet and sour and you can make juice from them, if you do not like the sourness of oranges you can add watermelon or apple or carrots or celery, which can make the taste and its functions much more beneficial.
No matter how many other ingredients you add, the oranges should dominate otherwise it may not have its full effect.
Another way you can eat oranges, is to eat them whole (without the skin). One or two a day.
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