Strategies to relieve Liver stagnancy and swelling:-

•  eat smaller meals
• reduce foods high in saturated fats (eg. Meats, cheese, cream, eggs)
• eliminate hydrogenated & poor quality fats (eg. Margarine/butter substitutes, refined & rancid oils- often found in processed foods such as biscuits, cakes, chocolate bars – look for hydrogenate palm oil etc)
• excessive amounts of nuts & seeds. Always shell nuts freshly to avoid rancidity. Peanuts are notorious for rancidity. Avoid them. Keep seeds refrigerated and do not store for long periods.
• reduce chemicals in food & water. Have organic food where possible (one can reduce chemicals by soaking vegetables & fruit in filtered water with a drop of grapefruit extract). Vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, celery and Asian greens take in a lot of chemicals so try to buy organic. There are a lot of toxins in our drinking water, such as chlorine, sodium fluoride and microorganisms. Distillation and reverse osmosis are amongst the most effective methods of purification (remember, this is a lucrative business) & the result is a lifeless water devoid of essential minerals. You may simply choose to purchase spring water. There are Organic varieties available. San Pellegrini Italian sparkling Mineral water with a slice of lemon can make a refreshing change.
• prescription drugs all tax the liver. Remember the blood passes through the liver for metabolism of chemicals herein.
• highly processed and refined foods are not easily recognised by the body, and are more often than not, devoid of usable nutrients. Have plenty of whole foods.

Foods to relieve Liver stagnancy:

Moderately Pungent:
Watercress
Onion family- onions, garlic, leek, spring onions, shallots, chives
Mustard greens- sprouted from mustard seeds
Turmeric
Basil
Bay leaves
Cardamom
Marjoram
Cumin
Fennel
Dill
Ginger
Black pepper
Horseradish
Rosemary
Mint
Lemon balm

Mild & non-pungent:
Beets
Taro root
Sweet rice
Amasake (Japanese sweetener made from fermented rice- healthfood store)
Strawberry
Peach
Cherry
Chestnut
Pinenut
Brassica vegetables- broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, turnip, swede, kale, kohlrabi

Alcoholic beverages temporarily help relieve Liver stagnancy but causes cell destruction

Raw foods:
Sprouted grains
Sprouted beans
Sprouted seeds
Fresh vegetables
Fresh fruit

Foods to harmonise the Liver:-

Raw honey, used sparingly, detoxifies (can be mixed with apple cider vinegar)

Minimally refined sweeteners- stevia leaf powder, unrefined cane sugar (try Billingtons), palm sugar, maple syrup

If heat signs are absent- barley malt, rice syrup, date sugar, molasses

Bitter & sour foods to reduce excess:-
High quality vinegars (both bitter & sour, detoxifying and activating, take 1 tsp each vinegar & raw honey- use only as a temporary measure)
Unrefined apple cider vinegar
Brown rice vinegar
Rice wine vinegar

If heat signs are present- substitute with lemon, lime or grapefruit

Bitter foods:
Rye
Romaine lettuce
Asparagus
Amaranth
Quinoa
Alfalfa
Radish leaves
Citrus peel

Bitter teas:
Dandelion root
Chamomile

Foods for Liver cooling & detoxification:-
Mung beans & sprouts
Celery
Seaweeds
Lettuce
Cucumber
Watercress
Tofu
Millet
Plum
Mushrooms
Rhubarb
Radish
Daikon radish

Chlorophyll rich foods & supplements such as:
Parsley
Kale
Watercress
Alfalfa
Romaine Lettuce
Cabbage
Dandelion Greens
Wheat or Barley Grass 10g powder before meals
Spirulena
Chlorella
Wild bluegreen algae
Kelp 3g tablet with 1 meal

Foods for building liver yin and blood:-
To nourish yin:
Mung beans & sprouts
Cucumber
Tofu
Millet

To regulate water metabolism:
Seaweeds
Watercress
plum

Helpful oils:
Cold-pressed flaxseed oil
Evening primrose oil
Black current seed oil
Borage oil

Kidney & Liver Yin tonic:
Aloe vera gel

Blood tonics:
Chlorophyll rich foods & supplements, as listed above
Dark grapes
Raspberry
Blackberry
Bilberry/huckleberry
Blackstrap molasses
Severe cases –

gelatin, organic animal liver
Foods for reducing symptoms of Liver wind:-
Cooling foods:
Celery
Kuzu

Warming foods:
Ginger
Fennel
Basil
Anise
Oats
Pine nuts
Prawn
Valerian

Neutral foods:
Black sesame seeds
Sage
Black soybean
Coconut
Cold-pressed flaxseed oil
Chamomile

Avoid:
Eggs
Buckwheat
Crabmeat

Foods to promote liver regeneration:
Chlorophyll foods & supplements (see above)

For severe malnutrition:
Fresh goat or sheep milk
Spirulina & fish congee
Soup or congee with organic sheep, beef or chicken (warm) liver