Traditional medicine practitioner Do Minh Tuan, from the Vietnam Association of Traditional Southern Medicine, notes that many people buy liver detox medications, drink "liver-cooling" beverages, or diet, yet still experience fatigue, persistent itching, acne, and hives. In traditional medicine (TM), the liver stores and regulates blood, balancing vital energy in the body. When lifestyle habits are erratic, involving frequent late nights, prolonged stress, and excessive consumption of spicy or hot foods, this adversely affects the liver.
"Don't just think about what to drink to cool your liver; remember to let it rest at the right time," Tuan advised.
Here are three critical timeframes to nourish your liver, helping it recover and rest:
From 11 p.m. to 3 a.m.: This is a vital period when the body needs quiet rest, allowing blood to concentrate in the liver for functional recovery. Regularly staying up late during these hours not only deprives the body of its self-repair time but also causes mental stress, leading to fatigue the next day. For individuals with hives, staying up late is akin to "adding fuel to the fire," intensifying the itching.
Therefore, starting from 10:30 p.m., people should put away their phones, dim bright lights, relax their minds, and try to fall asleep before 11 p.m.
From 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.: After a long night, the intestines need to be cleansed. A healthy digestive system helps the body reduce sluggishness and heaviness, thereby lessening the burden on the liver.
Upon waking, drink a large glass of warm water, walk around, or perform some gentle exercises to stimulate bowel movements, establishing a regular morning routine. There is no need to force the body to "detoxify" with elaborate methods; the most important thing is to maintain a natural and regular rhythm of eating, sleeping, digestion, and excretion.
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Illustration: Carygastro |
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Midday serves as a transition between morning work and the continuation of the afternoon. If you overeat or experience mental stress during this time, liver qi can become stagnant, immediately affecting skin health.
At midday, prioritize light and simple meals, reducing spicy, oily foods, or any foods you know you are allergic to. After eating, take 15-20 minutes to nap or close your eyes and breathe slowly, relaxing your mind. The liver governs the smooth flow of qi, and increased stress or irritability makes this flow more difficult.
"However, these methods help the body maintain a stable biological rhythm and do not replace medical treatment for illness," Tuan emphasized. Even with similar symptoms like an itchy rash, the treatment and remedies applied can vary significantly for each person. Cases of persistent fatigue, itching, or rash require a medical examination to determine the cause and receive appropriate treatment.
Thuy An
