Recently, I stumbled upon the above chart on Twitter revealing a startling increase in deaths attributed to heart and liver diseases, leaving many so-called medical experts bewildered. A number of my friends and relatives, who are in their 40s to early 50s and were previously considered healthy, have suddenly succumbed to these ailments over the last couple of years. As I write this newsletter, I’ve just received heartbreaking news that my younger cousin in Hong Kong collapsed and passed away during a recreational basketball match …..
For those who follow our newsletter, the statistic from the above chart might not come as a surprise. In a video newsletter released more than a year ago, I have already discussed how the excessive fire energy from the 9th period of the 180-year grand cycle impacts our hearts. But you might be curious about the spike in liver-related deaths. According to the five elements theory, the heart, which is associated with fire needs wood energy (‘wood’ ignites ‘fire’), is deeply connected to the liver. The liver, representing the wood element, serves as a vital energy source for the heart. This is why Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views the liver as the mother of the heart. Consequently, when the heart experiences stress, it taps into the liver for support, which in turn, can lead to compromised liver health.
Furthermore, from the TCM perspective, both virus and vaccine are considered as toxins. With the “new” virus and vaccines circulating in our bodies in these few years, many people’s livers, being the main organ for detoxification, struggle to completely eliminate these new toxins, thus leading to liver complications.
For those residing in the Northern hemisphere, now is the spring season which is the best time for detoxifying and rejuvenating the liver. There are some simple things you can do to support liver health during this time:
– Increasing the intake of green-colored (wood element) foods, especially celery, kiwi, and mung beans.
– Consume more organic green and flower teas (especially chamomile).
– Reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption.
Liver issue is often a ‘silent illness’ that escapes detection by conventional Western medicine until it reaches advanced stages, making effective treatment challenging. TCM, however, can identify liver issues much earlier, as it considers the liver not in isolation but as part of the liver system.
For those interested in learning more about the liver system, I recommend visiting the introduction page of the Tai Chi and Qigong for Liver & Gallbladder Program. This page lists some early symptoms of liver issues.
The Tai Chi and Qigong for Liver & Gallbladder Program adopts a holistic approach to enhancing liver health, incorporating beginner to advanced tai chi and qigong exercises, massage, acupressure, lifestyle adjustments (such as diet and other habits), and emotional management.
Even if you think your liver is fine, practicing qigong for liver health and engaging in liver meridian stretching during spring—when the liver is most active—is beneficial for maintaining clean blood and a healthy liver. TCM emphasizes prevention, suggesting that the best strategy is to address the root cause of illness well before symptoms arise.
Reminder:
– The early bird prices for both Toronto Level 3, and Bonn Level 2 (only a few spots left) workshops end on March 20.
– Only 3 spots left for the Hastings Level 3 workshop.