The liver plays an important role in detoxification. It breaks down hormones, waste products, chemicals, toxins, alcohol, and drug metabolites, and excretes them in the bile.
This amazing organ regulates blood glucose levels (blood sugar levels) in concert with the pancreas. It metabolizes carbohydrates, fats, and proteins; and stores many fat-soluble vitamins and iron. The liver serves as a blood reserve with excess blood volumes and supplies blood when there is diminished blood volume.
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This herb is commonly used to detoxify the body. Its therapeutic benefits come from the flavonoid silymarin, a powerful compound with antioxidant, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. Silymarin is a potent liver protector and treats alcoholic liver disease, acute and chronic viral hepatitis, and toxin-induced liver diseases.
Milk thistle also helps reduce liver injury caused by a number of drugs and environmental toxins. It is able to promote healthy digestive function by helping with enzyme formation, increasing bile production, decreasing inflammation and soothing the mucous membranes throughout the body. Take milk thistle as a tea or tincture.
Milk Thistle Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of milk thistle seeds (ground into a powder)
- 2 cups of filtered or distilled water
- 1 teaspoon of organic honey
Directions
- Fill a tea bag with the powdered milk thistle seeds.
- Bring the water to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer.
- Pour the hot water over the tea bag in a cup and allow to steep covered for 3-5 minutes.
You can also use a tincture, put 20 drops in a glass of hot water. Take either the tea or tincture before meals to aid in digestion.
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) every part of this plant is edible the leaves and roots have a bitter taste. This taste comes from the flavonoids that give dandelion its blood purifying properties. These compounds work in the digestive system to increase the flow of urine. Unlike other diuretics, dandelion contains vast amounts of potassium restoring the mineral balance in the kidneys as toxins are flushed out.
Dandelion roots are a liver aid that combats fatty liver and cirrhosis. This plant has the ability to absorb and transport toxins from the bowels out of the body, balancing intestinal flora, and soothing the digestive tract in the process.
There are several ways you can use dandelion, add young leaves in the spring to salads or smoothies or you can drink dandelion tea. Drink 1-3 cups of tea a day.
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) protects the liver and promotes healing of the liver. This herb’s anti-inflammatory properties help calm hepatitis-associated liver inflammation. Licorice root also fights the virus commonly responsible for hepatitis and supplies valuable antioxidant compounds that help maintain the overall health of the liver. The root stimulates the production of digestive fluids and bile, soothes ulcers, helps reduce intestinal inflammation and supports the healthy function of the kidneys, liver, and bladder. Licorice root is taken as a tea or tincture.
Licorice Root Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 oz water
- 1 tsp dried licorice roots slices or chopped roots
Directions
- Place a saucepan with 4 oz of water on medium heat.
- Once the water turns hot, before it starts boiling, add the dried licorice roots.
- Allow the mixture to come to a boiling point.
- Turn off the burner and steep for 5 to 7 minutes.
- Place a fine-mesh strainer above a cup and pour the mixture into it.
- Discard the roots in your compost.
If you have high blood pressure, are pregnant or have cardiovascular disease, consult your health care provider prior to drinking licorice root tea. In large amounts, licorice root tea may cause headaches, fatigue or water retention.
Artichokes (Cynara scolymus) are actually a flower bud related to milk thistle. Artichokes stimulate bile flow which helps to carry toxins from your liver out of your body. The liver-cleansing properties of artichokes are attributed to two phytonutrients, cynarin and silymarin. Cynarin is an antioxidant that aids the liver in producing bile. Silymarin is a flavonoid that aids in the protection of liver cells and cell membranes.
Artichokes also benefit the liver by protecting it against toxicity and the detrimental effects of alcohol, processed foods, and other pollutants. Bile is important for the digestion of fats as well as for flushing toxins out of the body. Silymarin and cynarin help to regenerate liver cells. You can eat artichoke steamed or consume an extract made from the leaves.
The tincture dosage is 6-12 drops in juice or water. May be taken 3 times daily.
Burdock (Arctium lappa) when you utilize burdock, it’s the root you want for medicine. The young leaves can also be eaten, added to salads or stir-fry. Burdock root is a liver cleansing agent and helps with skin conditions including eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis. Believe it or not, these conditions often manifest when the liver is overloaded from a diet high in fat and protein. Burdock root aids the liver in metabolizing these nutrients and encourages the removal of waste products. This root is a blood purifier and restores damaged cells.
Burdock may trigger allergic reactions in people with allergies to ragweed, daisies or chrysanthemums because they are from the same plant family. Burdock root can be taken as a tea or tincture.
Tincture dosage: use 6-12 drops in juice or water. May be taken 3 times daily.
Chicory root (Cichorium intybus) is a stomachic, meaning it improves the tone of the stomach. It has gentle detoxifying properties that cleanse the liver and stimulates bile secretion. Chicory is a mild laxative. The tea is an excellent blood purifier as it is rich in vitamins A, C, B, K, and P. Chicory root tea treats intestinal parasites or worms and other ailments involving the liver and gall bladder such as jaundice and gout.
The tincture is used in treating many liver disorders, because of its effectiveness in increasing the body’s resistance to the formation of liver stones and gallstones. The root works by increasing the production of bile, and in doing so, digestion is improved. The excess bile breaks down additional fats which in turn results in better blood composition.
In the fall, you dig the roots to make a liver-strengthening tincture. The dose is usually 20-40 drops three times a day in some water. There is no known overdose. Chicory tea is prepared by steeping one ounce of dried chicory root in a pint of boiling water for 10 minutes.
Yellow Dock (Rumex crispus) root is an excellent tonic for the liver and is also a good herb that promotes the health of the liver. It’s used as a blood purifier and for its liver-detoxifying effects. Yellow dock root works by enhancing the body’s bile production resulting in improved digestion. This helps the liver breakdown and process fat in the body preventing the development of a fatty liver.
Yellow Dock Root Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- 1-2 tsp dried yellow dock root
- 2 c water
Directions
- Place a saucepan with 2 cups of water on medium heat.
- Once the water turns hot, before it starts boiling, add the dried yellow dock roots.
- Allow the mixture to come to a boiling point.
- Turn off the burner and steep for 10 minutes.
- Place a fine-mesh strainer above a cup and pour the mixture into it.
- Discard the roots in your compost.
Drink the root tea up to three times daily.
The leaves or seeds are put up in apple cider vinegar and 2-3 tablespoonfuls put on salads, cooked greens or in water.
Dock root tincture is 20-30 drop doses with meals.
The liver plays such an important role in detoxing our bodies and keeping us healthy. Using these easy recipes, supplements and herbs ensure our liver remains healthy.
