April 12, 2010


Ask Dr. Mao - The Natural Health Search Engine
Q&A | About Dr. Mao | Podcast | Health Products | Secrets of Longevity | E-Newsletter

Spring is here, and as nature reawakens around us, we can take steps to stay healthy and happy. Here are answers to your questions about spring health.

Q: I have heard spring is the best time for detoxifying the liver. Why is this and what can I do to cleanse my liver?
In Chinese medicine, the liver and gallbladder are linked to the spring season. Your liver has the extremely important job of regulating the flow of blood and life force, harmonizing digestion, and with your gallbladder’s help, balancing emotions. When spring comes around every year, it is a good idea to focus on cleansing your liver.

Here are some herbs that can give your liver an added boost:
• Schisandra berry protects the liver and soothes emotional anxiety.
• Dandelion cleanses the liver and helps release built-up anger.
• White peony root is a Chinese herb often used to soothe the liver and balance the mood.
These herbs are available from health food stores and Eastern medicine practitioners. You can drink as a tea or take as capsules.

Q: What is the best thing to eat to stay healthy in the spring?
A: The Chinese diet for spring is designed to “clean house” and strengthen the liver. In the spring, choose green herbs and foods that detoxify and improve the circulation of the liver, preparing the body for the heat of summer. Eat lots of green leafy vegetables, barley grass, seaweed--anything with chlorophyll. Also, you can nourish your liver with sour flavors like lemon and vinegar, which have an astringent effect.

This detoxifying soup is a great multi-tasking food for a healthy spring. Not only does it flush toxins from your system, it also supports the liver in detoxification, increases circulation, and replenishes your body with essential minerals.
Super Detoxifying Broth
Simmer these ingredients for up to 2 hours over low heat: anise, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, Swiss chard, cilantro, collards, dandelion, fennel, garlic, ginger, kale, leeks, shiitake mushrooms, mustard greens, daikon radish, seaweed, turmeric, and watercress. Drink 8 to 12 ounces twice a day. You can keep this broth in your fridge for up to one week, but it is always best to serve soups when fresh because the therapeutic value dwindles every day.

For more healing soup tips, take a look at my recent blog: Soup Therapy: Detoxify, Lose Weight, and Boost Immunity.


Q: April rains have come early this spring in my region – are there any health implications to so much wetness?
The Chinese medical tradition has long recognized the harmful impact of mold and yeast on the human body. In our homes, as in our bodies, dampness is a factor that breeds mold and fungus, causing allergies, headaches, tiredness, and in extreme cases, serious illness.

Here are a few preventative tips:

• Bake your home in the sun: Every spring in traditional Chinese households, the bedding and sheets are taken outside to bake in the sun, which is thought to rid them of dampness and stale energy. In fact, ultraviolet light has been found to have sterilizing and antiseptic properties – so let abundant sunlight pour into your home, which will help to prevent dampness and microbe accumulation. If your surroundings don't have much sun exposure or tend towards dampness, I recommend installing an air filtration system or air purifier that uses ultraviolet technology to kill mold and fungus. Full-spectrum lightbulbs are also helpful.

• Dehumidify: Mold requires moisture to thrive, so if your area gets a lot of rain, a dehumidifier is a must. It keeps the humidity optimal for your health and prevents excess mold spores from being released into the air. Since the bathroom is usually most moist room, try keeping a dehumidifier in the bathroom or hang a moisture-absorbing material, such as volcanic rock in a bag, which is sold in many hardware stores.

• Repair water leaks immediately: Fix any leaks or flooding right away so that you don’t allow mold to grow and multiply. Make sure you thoroughly dry out the affected area, whether it’s a carpet or drywall. In the case of drywall, you may need to completely replace the wet pieces. Also, inspect for poor drainage and water pooling outside, because a high concentration of mold spores around a building can find its way inside.

• Maintain your own health: There is no better prevention of mold-induced illness than to maintain a good immune function. Healthy diet, regular exercise, getting enough sleep, and avoiding emotional and physical extremes are the best ways to protect yourself.


May you live long, live strong, and live happy!

—Dr. Mao



Share on Digg

Share on Facebook

Share on LinkedIn

Share on MySpace

Share on Twitter

Share on Yahoo Buzz

Announcing
Dr. Mao's New Book:




Order Here



Order Here

Please Feel Free to Tell a Friend
E-mail:
E-mail:
E-mail: