What can help reduce liver fire?
Disease description:
I have been experiencing irritability lately and sometimes can't help getting angry. I wake up with a dry and bitter mouth in the morning. The doctor said this is caused by excessive liver heat. So, what can relieve excessive liver heat?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. He Haochen
To reduce excessive liver heat (liver fire), multiple approaches can be taken. An integrated adjustment of diet, medication, and lifestyle habits can effectively alleviate liver fire.
In terms of diet, you may choose foods with a cool nature, such as bitter melon, cucumber, mung beans, and pears. These foods have effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, and promoting diuresis, which help reduce liver fire.
Regarding traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), commonly used herbs for clearing liver fire include Bupleurum (Chai Hu), Gentiana (Long Dan Cao), and Cassia seeds (Jue Ming Zi). These herbs can be formulated into patent medicines such as Long Dan Xie Gan Wan or used to make herbal teas, which help improve symptoms associated with excessive liver fire.
Adjustments to lifestyle habits, including ensuring adequate sleep, avoiding excessive fatigue, and maintaining a positive mental state, also help relieve liver fire. Moderate physical exercise can promote metabolism and reduce stress, exerting a positive effect on alleviating liver fire.
