This Organ That No One Thinks About Is More Important Than You Know

Photo credit: bigstock.com

Photo credit: bigstock.com

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the spleen is the home of emotional worries and that problems with the spleen are linked to stress and anxiety. Chinese practitioners believe that when the spleen does not receive proper nutrition, it can result in problems with the blood and the energy of life, called qi. The Chinese believe that eating a proper diet and consuming of the right herbs can improve the health of the spleen, which will reduce your anxiety levels and relieve stress.

The best ways to protect your spleen and allow it to function properly are:

  • Eat carb-rich vegetables – such as sweet potatoes, yams, pumpkins, beans, winter squash, green peas, carrots, and rutabagas. These easily digested foods are nurturing to the spleen.
  • Eat slowly – when you relax and chew your food properly during mealtime, it gives your body time to digest foods.
  • Eat warm meals – food that has been cooked and is warm takes a great deal of stress off the digestive system. Precooked and warm foods such as stew, soup, and curries are easy for your body to absorb and make much less work for the spleen.
  • Add some warming spices either to your meals or before your meals to crank up that digestive fire. Try spices such as ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, or black pepper. These will increase the spleens ability to process food properly.
  • Eat small amounts of protein – avoid dairy products except for yogurt, organic butter, and raw, or at least organic, milk. Instead, eat fatty fish, chicken, lamb, or turkey.

Also, you should consider practicing mindful mediation and deep breathing exercises to help reduce stress, relax the body, and relieve mental exhaustion.

References:

Merckmanuals.com

Mayoclinic.org

Livescience.com

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