In the West, we often associate liver health with alcohol consumption and detox diets. But in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the liver is far more than just a detox organ -- it's the energetic powerhouse behind your emotional stability, quality of sleep, digestion, and overall vitality.

He said that TCM takes a broader approach toward the understanding of "toxins," which is not limited to chemical drugs or poisons as recognized by Western medicine, but also includes heat, wind, cold, phlegm, and dampness, all of which are regarded as toxins detoxified by the liver.

TCM emphasizes the importance of circadian rhythms. According to the body clock theory, the liver detoxifies and regenerates between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. If you're still awake during this window, you're taxing your liver's ability to do its job.