In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the liver and eyes share a deep connection. Think of your liver as the root of your eye health—when it’s nourished and balanced, your vision stays clear. The good news is that you can maintain clear vision by nurturing your liver. Taking just a couple of minutes each day to care for your eyes can, in turn, support your liver. Here are two simple movements and some practical tips to help you do just that.
Two Quick & Effective Liver-Supporting Movements
The first movement focuses on resting your eyes to rest your liver. The classic TCM text, The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon, states that “the eyes can see because they receive blood from the liver.” It also emphasizes that the liver stores blood, a process that kicks in when we close our eyes or sleep. Essentially, closing your eyes is like flipping the “off” switch that allows your liver to rest and recharge. You can enhance this simple act with a gentle eye exercise to help with eye strain, dryness, or blurry vision: gently close your eyes, then use your thumbs to massage from the inner corner of your eyes outward 24 times; alternatively, place four fingers together over your closed eyelids and carefully massage outward in a circular motion 24 times, then inward 24 times.
The second movement is a stretch dubbed “the lazy person’s liver boost.” When you feel worn out, your blood flow slows down. A beneficial long stretch—the kind where you reach for the sky and extend through your fingers and toes—can get your blood moving again. This simple action helps promote circulation, loosen up your joints, and wake up your entire body, including your internal organs. To get the most out of it, make your stretch big and expansive, engaging all your muscles; take a deep, full breath in as you stretch; then exhale completely and relax your body as you release.
Habits That Can Harm Your Liver
Knowing what to avoid is just as important as knowing what to do, and there are common behaviors that can put a strain on your liver over time. Excessive alcohol consumption is one such habit—regular heavy drinking can lead to fatty liver disease and more serious damage. Self-medicating also poses risks; you should always follow dosage instructions and talk to your doctor about medications, as some can be hard on the liver. Chronic late nights disrupt the liver’s repair process, as the liver does its best work at night, so skimping on sleep is detrimental. Moldy foods contain molds that can produce aflatoxin, a potent toxin linked to liver damage, so you should throw away food that’s gone rotten.
In TCM, chronic emotional upset like stress and anger is believed to disrupt the smooth flow of liver energy, making it another harmful habit. A greasy diet can lead to a buildup of fat in the liver cells, while undercooked or burnt food may harbor pathogens or contain compounds that are harder for your liver to process. Additionally, ignoring health issues such as gallstones or hepatitis and letting them go untreated can lead to long-term liver damage.
Easy Habits to Help Your Liver Thrive
There are also simple habits you can adopt to help your liver thrive. Getting to bed by 10 PM is crucial, as the key window for liver repair is between 11 PM and 1 AM, and being asleep by 10 PM ensures you don’t miss this important period. Soaking your feet in the evening, specifically between 7 and 9 PM, improves overall circulation, which benefits both the kidneys and the liver.
Massaging the Taichong (太冲) acupoint is another effective habit—this point is located on your foot between your big toe and second toe and is considered the “source point” of the liver meridian; massaging it for 3-5 minutes daily can help soothe liver-related discomfort, and if the area feels tender or warm or looks red, it may be a sign your liver could use some extra care.
Eating greens is also recommended in TCM, which links the color green with the liver, so incorporating foods like spinach, broccoli, cucumber, and green beans into your meals is beneficial. Sipping a calming tea on days when you feel irritable or bloated can also support liver function—try a tea with 10 g dried tangerine peel, 5 g roses, and 10 goji (枸杞) berries, as these ingredients work together to soothe emotions and nourish the body as well.
