There’s an old saying that goes, "A bad liver shortens your lifespan," and that's no joke. If your liver isn’t working properly, your whole body—inside and out—can start "acting up." You might find yourself irritable for no reason, tossing and turning all night, or waking up from leg cramps in the middle of the night. These frustrating problems are likely related to your liver. With just a few common herbs from the Chinese pharmacy downstairs, you can brew a pot of liver-nourishing water for less than three yuan, saving you the trouble of buying health supplements.

In Chinese medicine, it is said that "the liver governs emotions." When liver qi flows smoothly, a person can feel calm and at peace. If you’ve been feeling picky lately, finding fault with everything, lying in bed counting sheep until dawn, or experiencing leg cramps after just a few steps—if your fingernails are as brittle as potato chips and your eyes feel as dry as the Sahara Desert—these are all warning signs from your liver! When liver blood is insufficient, the tendons and vessels don’t get enough nourishment, much like wires lacking copper, making them prone to "short circuits" like cramping. The liver opens into the eyes, so when the eyes don’t receive enough nourishment from liver blood, your vision can become foggy, as if looking through a mist.

Now I'll teach you a money-saving method: grab a handful of red dates, angelica root, goji berries, and lotus seeds, toss them into a wellness pot, boil for twenty minutes, and drink it as tea. Red dates are known as "natural vitamin pills," capable of tonifying the middle, replenishing qi, and nourishing liver blood. Angelica root is hailed as the "holy herb for blood," specifically targeting numbness and cramps caused by blood deficiency. Goji berries are the most down-to-earth, renowned for their ability to tonify the liver and kidneys and improve eyesight. Lotus seeds, on the other hand, not only calm the mind, soothe the nerves, and aid sleep but also secure the essence of the liver and kidneys, preventing leakage. These four medicinal and edible ingredients combined are like hiring an "all-around nanny" for your liver.

However, I must remind you of two things: if your onychomycosis (fungal nail infection) is particularly severe, or if your eyes are bloodshot and your temper is as explosive as a powder keg, this may indicate excessive liver fire or damp-heat. In such cases, relying solely on liver-nourishing water is insufficient, and you should consult a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner for a tailored prescription. For daily boiled water consumption, three to five times a week is sufficient, as drinking too much may lead to internal heat.

Finally, let’s be practical—nourishing the liver isn’t just about what you eat. If you stay up late binge-watching shows every day, indulge in oily and spicy foods, and get angry like lighting a firecracker, even the best liver-nourishing water won’t help. Remember, get enough sleep, avoid excessive anger, maintain a light diet, and pair it with this liver-nourishing water to truly care for your liver and kidneys. If you find this useful, save it for later so you won’t have to search for it when needed!