肝臟是Pitta屬性的器官，很多Pitta屬性的疾病（傳染病和炎癥）或癥狀都是源起於肝臟或與之相關。典型的肝臟疾病包括黃疸病及肝炎等，而與肝膽Pitta屬性過多相關的疾病包括潰瘍及胃酸過多等。Pitta屬性字面上意思就是膽汁。過多的膽汁分泌或膽汁流動受到擁塞都表明Pitta體質過剩。在印度草藥學理論裏一點很有趣的地方是它和中醫理論一樣認為，肝臟屬火，容易過熱而引起各種炎癥性疾病。肝臟中存在一種叫bhutagnis的微妙的酶素，這些有助將食物轉化為五種元素，供身體五個主要器官形成有用的組織。
此外，肝臟的Pitta屬性也與情緒控制有關。Pitta泛濫會引起負面情緒如煩躁、憤怒、嫉妒和野心過大;正面來說則有助增強勇氣、信心、熱情和意誌力。反過來說，這些情緒上的幹擾也可引起肝功能障礙。
肝的護理
很多草藥都對肝臟有益，能促進膽汁分泌、淨化血液、協助肝臟解毒和緩解Pitta屬性過多等。這些包括常見的西方草藥如龍膽草、伏牛花、蒲公英和毛茛等。
薑黃配合伏牛花能幫助清肝排毒和防止情緒不穩。加上雷公根的話，更有助平靜肝臟和頭腦，幫助對抗糖、脂肪和酒精等對肝臟的損害。蘆薈凝膠也是極好的補肝草本藥物，能清肝和修補受損細胞。
印度草藥中最具代表性的補肝草藥是苦葉下珠（Bhumyamalaki／Phyllanthus）。無論印度或西方的研究均顯示，苦葉下珠能作為一個非常重要的草本補肝成分，它對大多數肝臟相關疾病都有舒緩效果。甚至有研究指出苦葉下珠能針對治療乙型肝炎帶菌者，從而制止疾病傳播。
另外一些性質溫和的香料如香菜、小茴香、鬱金、香附、薄荷、檸檬和酸橙等都有助提高肝臟能量和改善食慾不暢或肝膽阻塞等情況。蒲公英、蕁麻、繁縷和紫草葉以及葉綠素等則有助清肝排毒。另外一些草藥則有助護肝和鎮靜情緒，例如如積雪草、黃芩、西番蓮、檀香和墨旱蓮等。
The liver is a Pitta organ and the site or origin of many Pitta(infectious and inflammatory) disorders. Most liver disorders such as jaundice and hepatitis are typical Pitta diseases. Such Pitta disorders as ulcers and hyperacidity have their origin in wrong function of the liver and gall bladder. Pitta literally means bile. Excessive bile production or congestion in the flow of bile usually indicates high Pitta. In ayurveda, the liver is the seat of fire and easily heats up, causing various inflammatory diseases. The subtle enzymes, the bhutagnis, are located in the liver. They transform digested food particles into the forms of the five elements needed to build up the tissue for the five sense organs in the body.
Moreover, the liver is the site of most Pitta emotions. Negative Pitta emotions are irritability, anger, jealousy and ambition; positive ones are courage, confidence, enthusiasm and will power. Disturbance in these emotions can cause liver dysfunction.
Care of liver
There are many good, generally bitter, herbs for promoting the flow of bile, cleansing the blood, detoxifying the liver and relieving high Pitta. These include common Western herbs like gentian, barberry, dandelion and goldenseal.
Turmeric and barberry in equal parts are very good for cleansing liver energy and preventing emotional stagnation. Adding gotu kola to them calms the liver and mind, and helps counter additions to sugar, fat and alcohol, which impair liver function. Aloe gel is an excellent liver tonic. It has both cleansing and building properties.
The most specific Ayurvedic herb for the liver is Bhumyamalaki(Phyllanthus). Modern clinical studies both in India and the West show that as a single herb it is effective in most liver disorders. So for it appears to be the only substance that can treat hepatitis B in carriers, thus arresting the spread of the disease.
Mild spices such as coriander, fennel, cumin, turmeric, cyperus, mint, lemon and lime help promote liver energy and improve appetite in conditions of sluggish or congested liver. They can be used as spices in cooking or taken as teas before or after meals. Many green herbs-dandelion, nettles, chickweed, and comfrey leaf- are good for cleansing the liver; chorophyll in general is good for this purpose. Cooling nervine herbs include gotu kola, skullcap, passion flower, sandalwood and bhringaraj.
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