Liver Cleanse Hacks: Types of Liver Cleansing Herbs and Benefits
Did you know that your liver is the most important organ in your body? It performs more than 300 essential functions. One of these functions is filtering out toxins and other harmful substances from the blood, as well as processing many medications.
This makes it all the more important to take care of our livers by cleansing them regularly and feeding them with healthy foods, herbs and supplement products.
In this blog post we will discuss how to cleanse your liver naturally using a variety of herbs including milk thistle, dandelion root, turmeric root powder and more. We will also talk about which types of herbs are best for different circumstances (e.g., detoxing after alcohol consumption or before an event).
What is Liver Detox and why do I need it?
The liver is the largest gland in your body and performs over 500 different functions on an ongoing basis to keep you healthy. These include building proteins, detoxifying chemicals from your bloodstream, storing vitamins for use when needed later and delivering nutrients throughout the rest of your body.
A build-up of fats in the liver cells can result in fatty deposits; if left untreated it may lead to cirrhosis or cancer (especially if cigarette smoking is involved).
Let us take a moment to understand why detoxing your liver is important. Liver detox or cleanse as popularly called is the process of eliminating toxin accumulation in the liver. The liver is the body’s filter, and when it becomes overloaded with toxins these substances can interfere with its natural processes.
This happens as a result of our modern way of living - we eat too much processed food, drink alcohol excessively or take medications that are not good for us. There are three main types of detoxification: fasting, colon cleansing (using laxatives) and dietary change.
The kindest type of cleanse involves nothing more than making healthy lifestyle changes such as eating a plant-based diet rich in fruits and vegetables and incorporating some form of exercise into your routine every day.
Supplementing your daily routines with healthy herbal teas is another way to detoxify the liver or incorporating cleanse as a part of your lifestyle.
Fasting is a powerful cleanse that can be used periodically, but should not be done as regularly as dietary changes due to its intensity and natural hunger suppression. Fasting cleanses are often undertaken in conjunction with colon cleansing for maximum effect because fasting empties out your intestines too which reduces toxins from being reabsorbed into the body after they have been eliminated by the liver and excreted through bile.
Some herbs like milk thistle help promote healthy digestion of fats by increasing production of bile so that it carries away impurities more effectively before they reach the gallbladder or pancreas where they could cause inflammation or even cancer cells if unchecked. They also improve blood flow throughout.
Top herbs for your liver
Milk Thistle
This powerful herb can help cleanse the liver by preventing toxins from binding to it. It also helps remove excess fluid and fat, improves bile flow, increases production of bile (which helps in digestion), protects cells against oxidative damage and stimulates healthy cell division. The best way to consume milk thistle is through herbal tea or tincture taken three times per day for at least 30 days.
If you are looking for more immediate relief then drink one cup of milk thistles tea every hour until symptoms improve then go back down to once per day. Side effects include stomach discomfort, nausea and vomiting but these side effects will normally disappear after about two weeks if they persist.
A great way to help detox your liver with herbs is by taking a supplement of milk thistle (Silybum marianum). Milk Thistle has active ingredients called silymarin and silibinin which are used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as well as European folk medicine for the treatment of liver conditions such as cirrhosis, hepatitis and toxic buildup within the liver cells.
The active ingredient acts on all three phases of hepatotoxicity: prevention/protection against chemical toxins; regeneration after cell death from injury due to alcohol poisoning or viral infection; elimination through bile flow from accumulating toxins.
Yellow Dock
Yellow docks high levels of iron will support healthy blood cells while its potassium content promotes muscle growth and reduces fatigue when coupled with vitamin C found in this plant extract. Yellow dock also contains potassium, iron and Vitamin C.
In order to use the hepatic health benefits of yellow dock for a liver cleanse it is recommended that you take one or two capsules daily before breakfast with water or consume in the form of tea. Yellow docks anti-inflammatory properties can also be used to ease the pain of an upset stomach, indigestion or gallbladder inflammation.
Dandelion Root
Dandelion root is an excellent liver cleanse herb because it stimulates the production of bile which helps in digestion. It also acts as a diuretic, helping to flush out excess fluids and fat through urination. This plant can be used internally or externally for treating skin issues like acne by adding finely ground dandelion leaves and flowers into bath water.
Dandelion roots are not only effective in cleansing the liver but they also offer relief from gallbladder problems. The bright yellow flowers on this plant make a powerful diuretic tea to help flush out excess fluids and fat through urination.
Dandelion Root is a powerful natural herb known for stimulating healthy cell division within the liver's cells while at the same time protecting them against oxidative damage performing a healthy liver detox function. Though considered a pesty weed by many but their root provides an excellent herb for many health conditions including thyroid issues such as hyperthyroidism because it's high in B vitamins like vitamin A (beta-carotene), thiam.
Celandine
Celandine has traditionally been used to treat sore throats (especially ones that are caused by excessive stomach acid), ulcers, gastritis and other digestive problems. The tea from this plant contains chemicals called chelidonic acid that help stimulate healthy cell division within the liver's cells while at the same time protecting them against oxidative damage.
Ginger root
Ginger has long been used for liver health. Studies have also shown that ingesting ginger stimulates liver production of a compound called glutathione, which is one of the body's most important antioxidant and detoxifying agents.
Ginger root also has a natural anti-inflammatory effect, which is good for liver health. A simple way to cleanse your liver with ginger root is to drink ginger tea every morning or make a decoction of ginger and lemon every morning to drink with warm water.
Licorice Root
Licorice root can be an amazing natural remedy for treating any number of ailments including digestive issues like gas, stomach aches or ulcers as well as respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis or coughs because it contains chemicals called glycyrrhizin, which has been shown to reduce inflammation and protect the liver from toxins.
Licorice root is also known to help prevent liver disease and cirrhosis.
Nettle Leaf
Nettles have long been used by herbalists for its ability to stimulate bile production in the liver as well as provide an alkalizing effect on the body when taken internally. It can also be helpful for people who suffer from arthritis or other types of inflammatory conditions as it contains chemicals called quercetin that are thought to inhibit histamine release with anti-inflammatory activity.
Nettle is also thought to be useful in cases of liver disease. This condition occurs when fat builds up inside the cells that line your liver and can lead to inflammation or scarring which often leads to a buildup of fluid around organs.
In addition to protecting the liver, nettle is also thought to be useful in cases of fatty liver disease. This condition occurs when fat builds up inside the cells that line your liver and can lead to inflammation or scarring which often leads to a buildup of fluid around organs.
Black pepper
Black pepper has also been shown to help liver health. It contains the essential chemical piperine, which stimulates bile production and thus helps your body rid itself of toxins more efficiently.
Black pepper helps liver breakdown toxins and increase liver function as well. Ever heard of spice detox?
Turmeric Curcumin
Turmeric curcumin root is known to play a major role in liver detoxification by acting as an antioxidant to neutralize free radicals before they damage cellular DNA. Turmeric contains curcumin compounds that have anti-oxidant properties and may inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF alpha, IL-12, IL-17A.
While there are multiple grades of turmeric root available in the market, it is said that taking turmeric curcumin along with black pepper enhances the our body's ability to absorb turmeric benefits.
Garlic
Garlic has also been used to support healthy liver function, including detoxification. It's mixture of sulfur-containing compounds have antioxidant activity that helps reduce inflammation in the liver by keeping cells intact and blocking free radicals from causing any damage.
In addition, garlic contains allicin which increases blood flow throughout the body while reducing bad cholesterol levels. All these helpful effects make garlic a great choice for those looking to cleanse their livers!
Ginseng Root
Ginseng has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries as a treatment for fatigue, sexual dysfunction, loss of appetite, diabetes mellitus and chronic viral hepatitis.
Yellow Dock
In order to use the hepatic health benefits of yellow dock for a liver cleanse it is recommended that you take one or two capsules daily before breakfast with water or consume in the form of tea. It's anti-inflammatory properties can also be used to ease the pain of an upset stomach, indigestion or gallbladder inflammation.
People who suffer from Chronic liver disease or liver cancer are advised not to take yellow dock.
Most of these raw herbs are gluten free and are excellent for preventive and continued liver health. But keep in mind that it is important you check with your physician about your liver conditions before taking herbal supplements of any kind.
While teas usually don't react aggressively, supplements taken in the form of capsules or tablets could potentially cause more harm than good. It is also extremely important that you choose quality ingredients, be it for food or herbs.
Summary and Conclusion
Maintaining good liver health isn't really a challenge if most of us choose to alter our food habits and exercise routines. It is a fairly simple lifestyle choice to be made. There are many different herbs that can help maintain good liver health and some of the benefits include reducing weight, improving metabolism, and promoting sleep.
To promote proper digestion, the herb should be taken on an empty stomach at least one hour before meals or 30 minutes after a meal because it can interfere with food's ability to break down in the intestines. The herbs benefits for liver health can also be used by those who wish to lose weight as they help improve metabolism and reduce appetite.
A lot of scientific human studies on herbs and herbal supplements are inconclusive. While human studies may be inconclusive, one thing is guaranteed - The only way to live a healthy life is to change the way we live our life.
All supplements and medications on this planet, can only help treat symptoms and not root causes. Unless we make drastic changes to our lives, moving away from medications to natural alternatives, our dependence on herbal supplements is only going to increase and not come down.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) on liver detox and cleanse
What is fatty liver disease and how can I avoid it?
Fatty liver disease is caused by high level of fatty deposits in the liver cells damaging your liver health. The good news is that it can be easily prevented with a healthy lifestyle.
You should eat plenty of fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidant vitamins A, C, E as well as B-complex vitamins to help reduce breakdowns in red blood cells. The juice from raw lemons has also been found to inhibit fat production when consumed regularly (lemons contain citric acid).
Try substituting white sugar for honey or molasses which helps regulate insulin levels that may cause you to overeat on sweets. Finally, drink lots of water throughout the day because this will flush out toxins from your system while increasing metabolism rates so you burn more calories. You should drink eight, eight-ounce glasses of water a day.
Fortunately this problem can be easily prevented by eating plenty of fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidant vitamins A, C, E as well as B complex vitamins so they help reduce breakdowns red blood cells. The juice from a freshly squeezed lemon is also great for liver detoxification because it contains Vitamin C which helps to break down toxins in tissues and cells. Drinking plenty of fluids will help flush out those old chemicals too; eliminating these substances means they can't interfere with your body's natural processes anymore.
How can I detox my liver naturally?
There are many ways to detox your liver naturally. One of which is by eating a high fiber diet, full with vegetables and fruit, whole grains, legumes and nuts that all help remove toxins from the body.
Another way for liver detox is through supplements such as licorice root or turmeric root. These also have anti-inflammatory properties that can benefit those who suffer from fatty liver disease or other conditions like cirrhosis (extreme scarring) resulting in liver damage due to excessive alcohol consumption over time .
Reducing alcohol intake has a direct effect on your liver's health and ability to reduce liver damage extensively.
One way is to include healthy herbal ingredients daily in the form of tea or raw with herbs like Dandelion root, Cinnamon or cloves (helps get rid of excess bile, which can cause liver problems) and milk thistle.
Some people prefer natural herbal supplements that offer health benefits in the form of a capsule while a lot of customers we known extend their love for herbal teas.
What is the best drink to flush your liver?
The best drinks to flush your liver are those that are rich in antioxidants and natural detoxifiers such as green tea, green tea blends, liver teas, grapefruit or pomegranate or herbal teas.
Avoid coffee because it has a diuretic effect that can worsen liver function.
For simple liver detox home remedy, use lemon water / lime water, green vegetables and carrot juice. Liver detox as a concept isn't rocket science. Making simple life style changes along side healthy eating habits automatically results in excellent liver function and liver health.
How do you flush out a fatty liver?
Fatty liver is a common occurrence, especially in people who are overweight or obese, and is usually caused by a lack of physical activity. The best way to flush out fatty liver is through dieting and exercise to regain your healthy liver. Get enough water too because being hydrated helps eliminate toxins from the body more efficiently.
Exercises that help promote better blood circulation can also be helpful for detoxifying your fat cells - brisk walking, jogging or running on the treadmill, biking uphill at high intensity levels will all work well for this purpose.
A good strategy would be to consume plenty of vegetables as they contain antioxidants which help prevent cell damage while simultaneously reducing inflammation in your liver tissues, hence promoting faster metabolism so you lose weight easier. Consuming warm lemon juice or grapefruit juice can help reduce any potential for furthering liver damage.
What supplements flush toxins out of the liver?
There are many liver cleanse herbs in the market . The most popular liver cleanse supplement is Milk Thistle.
It works by protecting the liver from toxins that cause damage to it and may also help regenerate damaged cells in the liver, which can lead to better functioning of your body's detoxification system.
Other natural supplements are burdock root extract, ginger roots extract and dandelion as they all contain antioxidants you need for good health.
Burdock Root Extract: A highly powerful hepatic agent that promotes healthy flow of bile through the gall bladder.
Alternatively, you could try our liver detox tea that contains most common supplement ingredients like milk thistle, burdock root, licorice root, dandelion root, ginger root and more.
You should know though that if you try a different type of cleansing herb than what your doctor recommends or suggests, then this will only worsen your condition because certain herbs might not be compatible with one another when given simultaneously. So its important that you do not self prescribe herbs for yourself but route your queries through a herbalist, alternate medicine practitioner or your own physician.
Ancient Eastern cultures in India, China, Africa have lived off the herbs for both culinary and medicinal purposes. In the Modern western societies, we tend to consume them as herbal supplements instead.
Herbs by themselves do not cause much harm when consumed. But mixing of herbs and herbal ingredients could potentially cause reactions within body. We wish for you to strive to move towards a natural life style that focuses on using herbs in your daily diet and as a way of life as opposed to using it as medicine.
Does Turmeric help with toxins in liver?
Turmeric root along with black pepper has for long been used in eastern cooking as an active ingredient. What could be a better way to consume turmeric root than include it in our daily diet? It has been shown to help healthy liver function in a number of ways, including detoxification and protection.
Some other herbs which also help the liver are milk thistle, dandelion root and burdock - all of which have been shown to improve digestion and reduce inflammation caused by poor diet or autoimmune conditions respectively.
The main things you can do for your liver health is
- Avoid alcohol if possible
- Eat lots of fresh vegetables rich in antioxidants like garlic, cabbage and kale from your local farmers market (or grow them yourself)
- Drink plenty water every day with lemon squeezed into it throughout the week because citrus fruits contain Vitamin C that helps cleanse the liver
- Take a detox supplement that contains many of the herbs mentioned in this blog post
