We are surrounded by increasing pollution, dust, chemicals, and all sorts of toxicity.
These have their own adverse influences beyond the normal handling capacity of the body.
Thanks to the liver, it helps in cleansing and flushing out all the foreign unwanted materials of the body every day.
Being a natural filter and multitasker of our body, the liver has a huge impact on anyone’s well-being. Surely, it demands extra care and maintenance.
The importance of the proper functioning of the liver was well recognized by the Ayurvedic physicians of ancient India.
They formulated various ways of preventing liver diseases and even curing them.
The science of Ayurveda has done wonders around the world. With an authentic Ayurvedic liver cleanse guide, the liver can function perfectly following Nature.
1. Why is liver detox/cleanse necessary?
Detoxification is the process of removing harmful or toxic materials from a living being’s body.
This is what a liver mainly does in the human body. Although there are medicines available in stores for liver cleansing, castor oil liver detox is one the best ways along side essential oils liver for detoxof achieving it.
There are various reasons for detoxifying or cleansing the human body.
It leads to:
- Increase in the level of energy
- Boosts the immunity
- Slow down the speed of aging
- Increases vivacity and stamina
- Metabolizes medicines and nutrients
- Regulates cholesterol and balances the hormone level
2. When do you need a liver to cleanse?
The body has its way of showing that there is some problem inside.
If the liver has some problem, it will give the following signs:
- Low metabolism
- Improper digestion
- Hormonal imbalance
- Stomach pain after eating oily food
- Hemorrhoids
- Dark color urine
- Chronic exhaustion
- Yellowish eyes
- Puffiness above the eyes
- Skin problems like acne, psoriasis, rash, or eczema
It is important to resort to liver cleansing at the right time to avoid over-accumulation of toxins in the liver.
3 day liver cleanse is undoubtedly one of the best ways of flushing out the harmful materials from the body and even strengthening and improving the liver functioning.
We also recommend the various types of cleanses and diets for detoxing your liver:
1. 24 hour liver detox
2. 7 day liver cleanse diet
3. 3 6 9 liver cleanse diet
4. 10 day green smoothie liver cleanse
Ayurvedic detoxification is ideally done three times a year but if there are problems in the liver, you can do it anytime.
3. What does Ayurveda have to say about a liver cleanse?
“Pittic” or energy of Pita is an Ayurvedic term for the liver.
According to the science of Ayurveda, when the liver is unable to function properly, it leads to a gradual imbalance of Vata-Pitta-Kapha doshas.
This philosophy describes the necessity of maintaining a healthy functioning liver as it regulates the physical and mental aspects of Pitha humor.
The leading Ayurveda practitioners ascribe the damage of the liver due to the trapped overheat inside the organ leading to physical issues.
It is a well-known fact that raw salads and vegetables are good for health. Additionally, they also help in balancing and cooling down this excess heat trapped in the liver.
Ayurveda liver cleanse does not only involve achieving a healthy organ through herbal treatment but also by changing the lifestyle of the affected person.
According to Ayurveda, the three-stage process brings in detoxification. The ayurvedic liver cleanse at home is started initially as in the first stage; the body is prepared by resorting to a simple diet with lots of water consumption leading to the cleansing of the gut.
In the second stage, the digestive system will improve with healthy food creating a balanced meal. Lastly, introduce other healthy foods with avoiding alcohol, meat, and sugar.
4. Steps or remedies of Ayurveda liver cleanse
With all the multi-tasking the liver has to do throughout the day, it has a major impact on every aspect of a healthy life.
Ayurveda physicians clearly understood and accepted the facts and importance of the liver and have evolved many Indian home remedies for liver cleansing.
Some of the important remedies of Ayurveda liver cleanse are:
-
Arogyavardhini: This is a beneficial Ayurvedic medicine, which helps in the proper functioning of the liver. This medicine is available in tablet or powder form.
-
Katuki: This is another liver detox Ayurvedic medicine, which protects from harmful effects of cirrhosis. It is available in powder form and consumed with honey. The medicine produces more bile and decreases pressure on the liver.
-
Bhringaraja: This is another liver detox Ayurvedic medicine in powder form. The taste is bitter so honey can make it a little better. It deals with infantile liver cirrhosis.
-
Milk Thistle: This helps in decreasing liver inflammation with many positive results. Milk thistle overturns the damage of the liver through chemicals and even prevents toxicity during chemotherapy. It can take some time to show results but is one of the best Indian home remedies for liver cleanse.
-
Papaya seeds: The seeds help in preventing cirrhosis.
Eat it raw, grind to make juice or even better mix it with a tablespoon of lime juice.
If consumed every day, effective results will come in a month.
-
Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera juice is rich in phytonutrients along with hydrating properties.
The leaves contain a colorless thick gel.
Consuming it will keep the body hydrated by flushing out the impurities and cleaning the liver to work normally.
-
Bitters formulae: A special mixture evolves by a combination of several ingredients like turmeric, dandelion, gentian, chiretta, neem, barberry, celandine, and goldenseal.
Preferred way of having it is in tea form before having the meal so that the liver functions properly in digestion and detoxification.
-
Bhumi-amala: In Ayurveda, the bhumi-amla or Phyllanthus niruri is called ‘Dukong Anak’.
It is one of the most preferred Ayurvedic herbs for liver detox as it helps in balancing the Pitta.
This whole plant contains medicinal properties and only 2-4 teaspoons of bhumi-amla juice every day can help evade liver problems.
-
Punarnava: Hogweed or Sterling, Punarnava is a recommended herb in Ayurveda for diseases related to kidneys. Here, in this case, the herb’s purifying and detoxifying effects make it a suggested Ayurvedic liver cleanse herb for fatty liver and related diseases.
- Triphala: Triphala is a mixture of three medicinal Indian plants- amla, haritaki, and bibhitaki. The Triphala juice is ideal for regulating bowel movements and increasing metabolism and reducing toxin pressure on the liver by helping in digesting.
Recommended Reading: Liver Detox Home Remedy
5. Foods recommended and asked to avoid
There is a famous saying-prevention is better than cure. This applies to every aspect of life including health.
Ayurveda recommends that a properly balanced diet with a desirable healthy lifestyle is important for a healthy liver. (1)
Some of the foods that one should consume are:
-
Garlic: Garlic is a storehouse of selenium with antibacterial properties and is antifungal and antioxidant.
When it enters the body, it activates the detox enzymes in the liver and pushes the toxins away from the body.
Ayurveda recommends consuming just two cloves of garlic before sleeping at night every day. (2)
-
Turmeric: turmeric or Haldi is compact with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. These prove to be very impactful against damage to the liver by toxins. Instead of using chemical drugs and medicines that harm the liver in the end, turmeric serves to be an ideal way for Ayurvedic liver cleanse at home.
-
Apple: It has pectin that aids in cleansing the system and releasing harmful toxins from the digestive system. Because of this, the liver has to deal with lesser toxins and manage better. Follow the golden rule-an Apple a day keeps the doctor away.
-
Carrot: This vegetable is rich in beta-carotene, Vitamin A, and flavonoids. These help in supporting liver functioning and preventing diseases. Juice, salads, soups, or curries-every form is beneficial for the liver.
-
Nuts: It improves the level of enzymes in the liver and is good for the gut. Walnuts are rich in glutathione, omega-3 fatty acids, and amino acids that help in supporting the cleansing of the liver naturally. Almonds also work wonders for the liver with lots of vitamins. A handful of nuts can evade any possible liver damage.
-
Green tea: Green tea is full of plant-based antioxidants that improve liver functioning as per a study conducted in 2016. (3)
It helps in reducing fat in the blood thereby reducing excessive pressure on the liver.
-
Green vegetables: Many green vegetables like spinach, beans, lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, or salad also help in destroying toxins from the blood. Changing food habits is a great way of pushing the system towards normal functioning and staying fit.
-
Whole grains and fresh dairy: Oats, brown rice, millet, and barley along with fresh dairy work great for liver detox. Avocados, grapefruit, apples, and citric fruits are good for the intestines and have a positive effect on the liver. Consume them in moderation and protect the liver from damage.
-
Beetroot: It is a very good source of Vitamin C. Stimulating bile and boosting enzymes, beetroot is best to have in salads, liver cleanse juice, or soup.
- Citrus fruits: The detoxifying properties in citrus fruits like oranges, lime, lemon, etc. develop the ability of the liver to function properly. Eat them raw or have their juice, make sure to include them in the diet.
Some foods must be avoided if suffering from liver problems. They are:
-
Sweets: The intake of many refined sugars leads to fatty liver. It can prove to be as harmful as consuming alcohol.
-
Alcohol: Avoiding alcohol is very important to keep the liver healthy. Excess consumption of alcohol can lead to cirrhosis, known as Yakrit Vriddhi in Ayurveda. It deregulates the function of the liver.
-
Added salt: One of the causes of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease is having more salt in food. It is important to limit the salt intake to less than 2300 milligrams in a day.
-
Meat or seafood: It is better to avoid it. However, some suggest it is not harmful if taken in moderation. Make sure meat is not undercooked or raw.
-
Oily food: These lead to fat build-up in the liver. Therefore, it is better to avoid oily foods.
-
White bread or pasta: White rice, bread, and pasta are highly processed food items. Any food product made with these ingredients can shoot the blood sugar level and cause an imbalance inside the body.
Recommended Reading: Foods To Avoid During Liver Detox
6. Other ways to maintain a healthy liver
For 24 hour liver detox, there are some steps to follow. Drink lots of water and consume organic vegetarian meals.
These meals include Ayurvedic raw flavors of salty, pungent, sweet, sour, bitter, and astringent.
They will help in building strong body tissues. Some therapeutic massages work effectively with herbal oils.
Here, massaging should begin from the outer limbs and stroke towards the abdomen.
This way of massaging helps in shifting the toxins from the border to the GI tract where these will get eliminated.
In the end, massage in small clockwise circles around the upper right portion of the abdomen on the right to down on the left side.
If this detoxifying process is leading to nausea, a pinch of salt mixed with Tikta Ghrita can help. Yoga is one of the best forms of practicing a healthy routine.
Along with it, some deep breathing exercises or meditation will bring much-needed good.
Ginger bath blend is also a part of the cleansing process. However, if any skin problem already persists, it is better to avoid it.
Some Ayurvedic herbs like turmeric, Triphala, Ashwagandha, neem, and ginger are good at eliminating toxins and refreshing the system from within.
Herbal tea is also a good way of consuming these beneficial herbs. Consume a glass of warm water mixing with a teaspoon of Triphala powder.
Other than these, coconut water, soups, and fresh fruit juice are very helpful in detoxifying.
According to Ayurveda, maintaining good liver health can balance all your doshas. (4)
7. Conclusion
Taking extra care of the liver and keeping it healthy is imperative. Ayurveda has provided various ways of cleansing the body. During the process of detoxification, one might experience irritation or sickness.
However, the process should continue till the end for the rejuvenated and energetic feeling. Moreover, it is important to follow a healthy diet with a healthy lifestyle to stay fit after detoxification.
