4 Ayurvedic practices to support the liver

Liver is one of the most important organs in the body and it's vital to take care of it. Here are four Ayurveda based practices that you can incorporate into your daily life to support your liver health.

Updated on: Oct 25, 2022, 15:59:38 IST

By Akanksha Agnihotri, Delhi

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Liver is one of the most important organs in the body. It sits just beneath your rib cage on the right side and has over 500 jobs within the body including digestion, protein synthesis, hormone production and detox therefore it's important to take care of it. As per Ayurveda, the liver is a Pitta organ with fiery, hot qualities. So while it supports transformation and Agni within the body, it is also said to be the seat of emotions like anger, hate, irritability, judgement, resentment, envy, and impatience.

4 Ayurvedic practices to support the liver (istockphoto)

The problem is, as a result of our modern lifestyle, our livers are overburdened and can't properly remove toxins from the blood, which allows them to accumulate and re-circulate throughout the body. If this happens for long enough, these toxins can (among other things) reach the brain and impact everything from cognitive functioning and memory to brain fog, anxiety and depression. (Also read: Diet plan for liver health: 10 foods that can work wonders for your liver )

Mel Singh, Yoga and Ayurveda Practitioner, Life Coach and Founder of Yogi Fuel suggested 4 practices from Yoga and Ayurveda to support your liver, and as a result physical and mental health in her Instagram post.

1. Asana and Movement

While certain postures have a specific effect on the liver and liver meridian, the right movement will support the liver in some way. Right movement is the movement done without too much force (which can negatively impact the liver) and supports the liver through gentle stimulation of the organ itself. You can also think of embodying cooling, calming, gentle energy as you move which will calm pitta and as a result, support your liver.

2. Pranayama

Pranayama supports the liver not only through gentle stimulation of the liver when the diaphragm moves up and down but in regulating and calming the prana and Pitta Dosha. The liver is aggravated by pitta-type emotions like anger and irritation. Calming and soothing pranayama such as shitali, or basic yogic breathing can help calm the nervous system, and smooth our sharp emotions, therefore supporting liver health.

3. Herbs and food

Certain herbs and foods have a specific action on the liver. Bitter and astringent foods and herbs have liver cleansing and pitta pacifying properties. Incorporating foods such as beets, karela, bitter greens and herbs such as Bhumyamalaki, turmeric and even triphala is very supportive for liver health and healing.

4. Lifestyle

Adopting a pitta-pacifying lifestyle is also helpful. This means being gentle with yourself, witnessing when you're pushing yourself too hard and trying to do it all on your own. Noticing anger, judgement, irritability, and giving yourself space to release those emotions, embodying cool, calm, and loving ones instead.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Akanksha Agnihotri
Akanksha Agnihotri is a lifestyle journalist with over 3 years of experience. She is a psychology graduate and holds a postgraduate diploma in Radio and Television Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Delhi, where she graduated as a gold medalist. Originally from Bhopal, the beautiful capital of Madhya Pradesh, she draws inspiration from the city’s rich cultural heritage and layered storytelling traditions that subtly shape her narrative voice. She writes extensively about fashion, beauty, health, relationships, culture, and food, exploring everything from trending styles and runway moments to wellness routines and mindful living. Passionate about meaningful and candid conversations, she enjoys interviewing celebrities, doctors, designers, and film personalities, diving into discussions on fitness, beauty, mental health, and everything fun in between. With a keen eye for trends and a thoughtful understanding of human behaviour, she brings depth, sensitivity, and authenticity to her stories, ensuring they resonate with a wide and diverse audience. When she’s not working, you’ll usually find her lost in a book, planning her next mountain trek, or mapping out spontaneous travel escapes. She loves discovering new authors, revisiting old favourites, and spending quiet afternoons in museums soaking in art, history, and culture. An avid bird-watching enthusiast, she finds joy in early morning walks, spotting rare birds, and reconnecting with nature. Whether sipping coffee while journaling her thoughts or exploring hidden corners of a new city, she constantly seeks inspiration in everyday moments that often turn into compelling story ideas.Read More

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