The liver has always been a fascinating organ biologically and culturally. With its significance no less than that of the heart, the unique place it holds in human history in different times, cannot be overlooked. From its etymology to its representation in the yogic world, its role is crucial in maintaining human health. There is no doubt why after heart, the liver has managed to secure a prominent place in human health. So let’s explore the story of this simple yet crucial organ in the human body.
Origin of the Word “Liver”
The importance and need for the liver in human life were understood almost in every ancient civilization. That’s why, when its name was proposed, it was related to ‘life’ in every language.
The ancient Greeks called liver ‘hepar’ (pleasure), hinting at its being the seat of the soul and emotions. They educated their people about various crucial facts by weaving them into interesting stories. The fact about liver regeneration was also served with an interesting story where Titan Prometheus’s liver was eaten by an eagle every day as punishment, but it regenerated overnight and every morning Titan Prometheus was ready to endure the same torture once again. The myth used the liver to be regenerated, and not any other organ, showing their knowledge of the fact back then. Even today, in modern medicine, the term hepatology is still used for liver study.
The English derived the word “liver” from the Old English word ‘lifere’. Old Germans termed it as ‘Germanic Leber’– a concept of life (live), emphasizing its essential role in sustaining vitality. Today in modern German the term ‘Leber’ translates into Liver. The Proto-Germanic termed the liver as librā, exhibiting their knowledge about the organ and its role as a life-sustenance organ.
In Ayurveda the liver is described as ‘Pittashaya—पित्ताशय’ –Place for Bile juices to stay. Its related to the “fire” or “heat” that plays a pivotal role in digestion and purification of the body. All these precise references are related to the workings and anatomy of the liver from the so-called ‘days of ignorance’.
Historically, the liver was thought to be central to emotions, vitality, and even courage in different times. In the Elizabethan period, the king was frequently described as the “liver” of his country, indicating the enormous valor, courage, or lack of it. Even today, some of the idiomatic expressions in modern French and English are derived from the same ancient belief. The term “lily-livered” is used for those who had no blood (courage) in their liver, without the warmth of the red blood just white as a lily flower. It was another way to humiliate the cowards or betrayers.
The Islamic world also had its share in glorifying the liver. Prophet Mohammed used the term “moist liver” for the soul.
In modern times, the depth of feelings, intensity of friendship, and potential of a man are still conveyed through the expressions “You are my liver”, “Jigri Dost (urdu)”–best friend, etc.
Ancient civilizations and the liver
Mesopotamians: They practiced hepatoscopy (liver divination), for predicting future and making decisions by reading through the liver markings in animal sacrifices.
Ancient Egyptians: In their art depicting burial rituals, shows liver, safeguarded in canopic jars. They associated the liver with purification and immortality.
China: The liver in traditional Chinese medicine is seen as a regulator of “qi” (energy flow) and a storehouse of blood. It has been integral to emotional and physical well-being.
Hence, from ancient times to the modern day, the liver has been revered as the seat of emotions, intuition, vitality, and good health.
Liver: The low-maintenance housewife of the body
The largest internal organ that is kept safely beneath the ribcage, is often called the “engine of the body.” On a normal day, it performs more than 500 functions and continues to work efficiently even after it is damaged by 70–75%, just like a devoted housewife. Let’s find out some more interesting facts about the lively liver:
Its incredible abilities and significance:
Largest Internal Organ:
It weighs around 1.4-1.6 kilograms in adults.
Regenerative Power:
The liver can regenerate itself even if up to 75% of its tissue is lost. This unique ability to grow back to its original size makes partial liver donations successful.
Over 500 Functions:
These functions include detoxifying the blood, producing bile, and metabolizing nutrients, proteins, and fats.
Blood Reservoir:
At any given time, a liver can hold about 10% of the body’s blood supply and filter nearly 1.4 liters of blood per minute. It also produces clotting factors and breaks down old blood cells.
Vitamin Storage Hub:
The liver stores essential vitamins like A, D, E, K, and B12, as well as minerals like iron and copper, for energy and cellular repair in the future.
Bile Producer
The liver produces about 1 liter of bile daily, which helps in digesting and absorbing fats and fat-soluble vitamins.
Hormone Activator
It activates and regulates hormones (like IGF (Insulin-like Growth Factor-1), angiotensinogen, and hepcidin) for growth and metabolism and regulation of blood balance, respectively. It also plays a vital role in activating thyroxin and vitamin D.
Emotion Connection
In traditional Chinese medicine, emotions like anger and frustration are related to imbalance, establishing that liver health is believed to influence emotional well-being.
Silent Worker
The liver has no pain receptors, so it doesn’t hurt directly when damaged. Symptoms of liver issues often appear only in advanced stages.
Breakdowns Alcohol
The liver can break down and process alcohol but gets damaged while processing.. On average, it can metabolize one standard drink per hour, but excessive drinking can overwhelm it. In women, alcohol tends to stay longer than men because of a high percentage of fat and a low percentage of water compared with men.
These fascinating features make the liver one of the most remarkable and essential organs in the human body.
Natural Detoxifier
The liver filters toxins, chemicals, and waste products from the blood, ensuring the body functions efficiently.
Central Role in Metabolism
The liver metabolizes carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, converting them into energy or storing them for future use.
Symptoms of an Overworked Liver:
When the liver health deteriorates, it sends signals to the body in the form of symptoms like:
- Weakness or fatigue for a long time.
- Swelling in legs or abdomen area.
- Yellowing of eyes and skin, indicating- jaundice.
- Pale stool, dark urine, nausea, vomiting, or the loss of appetite.
- Attending these symptoms timely can prevent severe liver disorders like cirrhosis or liver failure.
Alter Lifestyle and Diet
- Stay hydrated
- Avoid fried and spice food.
- Include citrus fruit for quick detox.
- Avoid alcohol, drugs, or unnecessary medications.
- Walk regularly for at least 35-40 min.
- Manage weight according to your age; remember, after a certain age, ‘too thin is not in’.
Remedies from Naturopathy and Ayurveda
Naturopathy: Suggests
- Detox water: lemon water or dandelion tea.
- Oil Pulling: Castor oil packs to support detoxification.
- Herbs: Herbs like milk thistle and artichoke extract for liver cleansing
Ayurveda: Prescribes
Bitter herbs: like neem and kutki to cleanse the liver.
Triphala: (Three fruits: aamvala, harad, and baheda) improves digestion, detoxifies the liver, and is gut-friendly.
Ayurvedic oils: massages promote blood circulation.
Soothe down your liver with Sahaja Yoga
The role of the liver is also very important in meditation. According to Sahaja Yoga, the function of the liver is not only restricted to detoxifying or running the processes of the body properly but is much more than that.
The liver is a place where our attention lives. Whether we are overactive or tend to procrastinate, can be identified in meditation by watching the liver’s energy.
In Shree Mataji words:
“Now liver has a job. It has to transform the heat or the poison from your body as heat into the bloodstream so that it is thrown out. But when this centre is busy doing something else so important, this work is left undone or sometimes very much neglected. As a result one develops a bad system of liver. This liver creates heat, does not throw out the heat from the body which passes along and you get so many complications with it.”
Sahaja Yoga also prescribes the ‘liver diet’ to calm down the liver. With regular meditation for 10 minutes on the liver, you can efficiently detoxify the heat from the subtle and physical system so that the liver can perform its original function without any hindrance.
There are a few techniques for cleansing the liver that you can practice during meditation.
If you are new to Sahaja Yoga, take your self-realization first. Before starting any meditation, if the Kundalini has not risen, then no matter how hard you try, the meditative state cannot be achieved, because the Kundalini is the only instrument that can kick-start our subtle system most easily and safely. (Click here to take your self-realization.)
- Foot Soaking: Meditate with the element water.
- Ice Packing: Put a small bag of ice on the liver.
- Affirmations: Only after settling down in meditation are prayers sure to work.
Conclusion:
Your liver is one of the most humble organs that demand a low but consistent care. The lack of physical activities, emotional distress, unhealthy diet, alcohol, and smoking not only affect the liver’s health but also creates certain serious health issues. So take care of your liver in the way you find best as this simple organ is busy performing serious tasks.
“Care for your liver, live without err, Keep it healthy, and you’ll live ever.”
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