Schisandra Citrus Salad Recipe for Liver Health

Classic Citrus Salad

If you are dealing with a hot liver state or liver fire rising try choosing foods that help cool down your constitution like this Schisandra Citrus salad. This salad recipe boasts a ton of benefits for the liver. Lettuce, friseé and cucumber are cooling. Citrus and fennel lubricate and stimulate the liver and digestive system. Avocado, arugula, and chickpeas nourish and heal the body. Adaptogenic herbs like schisandra protect the nervous system and vital force.

As we enter spring we transition into the wood element in Traditional Chinese Medicine. This time of year is known as the season of the liver. So it is a good time of year to think of foods that nourishes, tones and balance the liver, especially when there is disharmony. Prepare this easy salad for lunch at work and modify it any way you like. Just make sure you take a deep breath when you sit down to eat. Let the worries wash away with the bright produce and let it begin to heal your liver.

Healing The Liver With Salads

Lately I have been learning a lot about the liver through my studies with herbalism and Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is a incredibly important organ that we all should know more about. Especially how much stress can impact it and cause many other symptoms and chronic conditions. Many of us can easily suffer from a stagnant and hot liver. Mostly because we have a lot we are worrying about in our modern lives. Worry directly affects how our liver functions because our nervous system controls the portal vein that transfers and sorts our food. When stressed over eating can become a natural impulse that can lead to congestion in our liver and digestive system.

Beginning to train yourself to look at food as medicine by paying attention to the foods that heal symptoms vs which ones cause the symptoms is a great place to start on a healing journey. Paying attention to our emotions and thoughts is another layer we can add the equation. Our health has subtle correlations to nature through the Five Element system. Helping us align to the natural rhythms that are synchronized to a healthier vibration.

Deep Dive Into How This Citrus Salad Can Heal You:

Schisandra–

Nourishes and strengthens vital force, balances the nervous system, hypato- protective, anti- oxidant, anti-inflammatory, immune stimulant, adrenal support, helps with anxiety and depression, boosts and tones liver. Improves endurance and cognitive function. Helps with metal clarity and fatigue. Used for chronic cough and lung ailments.

Citrus–

carminative, moves stagnation, opens the channels, promotes body fluids, resolves stuck mucous, strengthens stomach and spleen, lubricates lungs and helps stop cough.

Cucumber–

Cooling, diuretic, analgesic + detoxifying. Supports the liver and digestive tract. Immune boosting, quenches thirst, relieves irritability, and tones kidney’s. Fights free radical damage and inflammation. Slows aging and oxidative stress. Anti-diabetic, hepato- protective, cytotoxic, cardiovascular, lipid lowering, + antioxidant. Reduces bloating, water retention, puffiness, swelling, and redness in skin. Nourishes dry, damaged, and sensitive skin. Treats sunburn, acne, scars, and blemishes. Prevents and relieves constipation and hydrates the digestive lining. Alkalizes the blood and balances pH. Helps the body digest liquids. Preserves strong bones. Supports healthy metabolism, nutrient absorption, aids heart health, helps with blood clotting, supports neurological function. Use as a headache remedy when it is triggered by dehydration, stress, fatigue, low blood sugar, and nutritional deficiencies.

Fennel–

A popular flavoring agent in sambuca and absinthe and in traditional medicine all over the world since ancient times. The Romans, Greeks, and Egyptians served fennel in ceremonies as a symbol of wellness and pleasure. It is high in fiber, folate, and potassium. Fennel is anti-cancerous, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, and aids digestion.

In TCM it is used for congestion, stomach upset, insect bites, and sore throats. In Ayurvedic medicine it is used for its warming properties and to balance all three doshas. It nourishes the eyes and brain. And for common cold, arthritis, colic, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, liver congestion, and kidney pain. Fennel is high in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin K, and helps build bone mineral density and strength. It is also high in vitamin c which is great for the skin, helping form collagen, reduce free radical damage, and premature aging. The potassium content lowers blood pressure. Can bulk and work as a laxative to move toxins out of the colon and digestive system. It also helps balance pH levels and reduce acid reflux. Fennel is also a phytoestrogen that can improve menopausal symptoms.

Avocado–

Is referred to as the testicle tree in the Aztec language and is especially good for prostate health. High in monounsaturated fats, protein and potassium, magnesium, folic acid, B vitamins, vitamin A, vitamin k. It helps lower cholesterol Protects against free radicals, antioxidant. It helps protect against cancer, eye problems and heart disease.

Chickpeas–

have been a staple food for over 7,500 years and for good reason it is one of the most popular foods consumed across the world. They promote healthy digestion, level blood sugar, and are high in protein, vitamins, and minerals. Eating regularly can help satisfy hunger. The fiber content is a great choice for when you are facing digestive problems like constipation and IBS.

Rice vinegar–

Astringent, detoxifies, invigorates blood circulation, preventative for common colds, vomiting, nausea, intestinal worms, hypertension, burns, fungus, gum disease, lung ailments.

Arugula–

Is part of the brassica family. Immune boosting, anti-inflammatory, nutrient dense (vitamin K, vitamin A, & folate), high-antioxadant, and high in anticancer phytochemicals. Arugula is also high in beta- carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin which makes it great for eye health. It also strengthens bones and improves digestion by improving health of liver, gut lining and colon. Helps treat skin disorders and aging skin as well. Arugula was often used as more than food and has been used in traditional medicine across the mediterranean, in Turkey, Lebanon, and Syria. In TCM it is often used in nutritional therapy for qi deficiency, blood deficiency, and to improve lung function that helps balance yin by reducing phlegm, dryness, wind heat/cold, and toxic heat.

Read more about healing the liver with herbs with this blog and discover plant medicine specifically made to help take care of your liver health during the wood element.