WHAT ROLE DOES THE LIVER PLAY IN THE BODY?
Often called the engine of the body, the liver plays an important role in digesting, metabolising and manufacturing essential compounds. For example, the liver is responsible for converting clear plasma to blood. The liver's job is to scan and identify toxins in the plasma and store them so they don't enter the blood. This maintains the purity of the blood by keeping impurities, known in Ayurveda as ama, from mixing with it.
The liver also produces bile to break down and digest fatty acids; it produces blood-clotting factors and creates protective elements that keep blood clots from blocking the circulatory system. It converts sugar into glycogen and stores it for use by the muscles in the form of glucose energy; it synthesizes proteins and cholesterol. The liver also stores valuable trace elements such as iron, copper and Vitamins A, D and B12.
HEALTH PROBLEMS RESULTING FROM AN UNHEALTHY LIVER
In Ayurvedic terms, the liver is the seat of Pitta dosha, so Pitta-based problems of skin inflammation can be a direct result of liver imbalance.
To understand what can go wrong, let’s examine the subtle functions of the liver.
The liver is composed of five digestive fires (known in Ayurveda as Bhuta Agnis) that correspond to the five Ayurvedic elements of earth, fire, water, air and space.
Each specializes in digesting a particular element in the food. To effectively transform the clear part of plasma to blood tissue, these five digestive fires must be in balance. If their ‘flame’ burns too high, or too low, or burns unevenly, then the plasma will not be properly converted into blood tissue, and toxins will enter the blood.
All of these functions are governed by one of the sub-doshas of Pitta called Ranjaka Pitta. When Ranjaka Pitta goes out of balance it can affect the blood and skin and result in inflammatory problems such as skin breakouts, acne, cold sores, and skin diseases such as psoriasis.
Toxins building up in the liver can also result in allergies, high cholesterol, hypoglycemia, constipation, digestive problems and fatigue.
If the imbalance continues for a long time, serious diseases of the liver can develop, including hepatitis, cirrhosis, jaundice and cancer.
WHAT MAHARISHI AYURVEDA OFFERS FOR LIVER HEALTH
Maharishi Ayurveda offers two main products that take care of the liver: