What's the best way to detox your liver. I've been told by two people of late that my liver could be overloaded - not sure how or why - but that it could be that which is contributing to everything I take i.e. fennel, peppermint, aloe vera, flax oil to name but a few causing breast problems when I do take them - makes them swell, lumpy and pains.
Anything that has estrogenic properties seems to effect them - and things like dandelion and milk thistle seem to be "estrogenic" so can't take them.
Any ideas what I could take to cleanse my liver?
Hi Janet, If you change you diet a little it is sure to help. Can you eat things like apples,eggs, any veg and brown rice?. You could also try these herbs: alfalfa, basil, cardamom pods, cayenne pepper, chillies, coriander, dill, ginger, marjoram, parsley, pumpkin seed, rosemary, sage, sunflower seed, tarragon, thyme. Some of them you could buy and add to food.
Yes thanks for that - the list shouldn't cause me problems - do these help the liver?
I bought a book some time ago about detoxing the liver by Dr Sandra Cabot. You may find it helpful. I still use the recipe for the seeds (linseed, sunflower and almonds) and use it most days. In addition I usually start the day with a hot water and lemon drink.
Binah
x
Hi Binah
I start the day with hot water and lemon too - I'm interested in the seed recipe - and what it does - could you post it on here or send it via a PM
I'd appreciate that and anything else you can offer in relation to what helps.
Did the book help you and sort out any liver toxins?
Hey Janet
I did lots of liver cleansing a few years ago when i had terrible skin...
I eliminated as much refined foods from my diet as possible, namely sugar, and alcohol as these were two things i probably had a lot of!
Had lots of fresh juices - if you have a juicer then apple, carrot, beetroot, ginger celery is great for your liver (Beetroot is supposed to be fabulous for liver problems)
Also, as was suggested.. i upped my water intake - and would use fresh lemon in it too.
Also did the liver flush.. with epsom salts, grapefruit and olive oil
the process is here:
It was a very interesting time actually.. definitley worth having a read of the cleanse, i got a lot out of it as have a lot of people in the forum
Good luck!
xxx
Hi Janet
I'm interested in the seed recipe - and what it does - could you post it on here or send it via a PM
I'd appreciate that and anything else you can offer in relation to what helps.Did the book help you and sort out any liver toxins?
The book is called The Liver Cleansing Diet -
Ok the recipe for the seeds is:
3 cups linseeds (I use the brown ones, not sure of the difference between brown and gold)
2 cups sunflower seeds
3 cup almonds
Mix and grind together - this can be sprinkled on anything, but I put them on my muesli and porridge. Its a digestible form of protein and provides essential fatty acids, minerals and fibre.
I get a liver function test each year which is fine apart from raised cholesterol (genetic factor, combined with my sugar and fat cravings and previous loathing of exercise, which I'm working on).
All of the recommendations in the book seem sound to me though I am not a dietician, nor am I a nutrionist, for example the book stresses the need for dietary fibre (the seeds help) to pump out the cholesterol from the intestines, otherwise its reabsorbed and recycled back to the liver to deal with again.
Fatigue, bloatedness, poor digestion is a side effect of a sluggish liver - I do have more energy when I follow the recommendations and recipes. If I don't follow them then I start to get symptoms of poor liver function i.e. overheating, bloated feeling, tiredness. I particular get overheating when I'm in bed and it wakes me at about 4 am which in turn makes me feel tired cos it disturbs my sleep.
However I am also aware of the psychological effects mirrored by liver energy - as liver in TCM is connected with anger. So I try to work on this level too.
I would recommend if want to look into this in depth that you make an appointment with a trained Nutrionist.:)
Love Binah
x
Hi Janet, you can add a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil to the lemon juice and water in the morning. It stimulates bile production and aids a faster detox. The first couple of days it feels like your drinking salad dressing, but the taste buds quickly get used to it, and it's easy. It's great for skin, nails and hair too. Sarah
The oil/epsom salt liver type cleanse has shown to be a scam. Even with the magnesium from the epsom salts dilating the bile ducts you still wouldnt be able to push through the size of what these pseudo stones come out in your bowel movement.
The best way to cleanse the liver is through the use of bitter herbs, which have to come in contact with the back of your tongue.
The oil/epsom salt liver type cleanse has shown to be a scam. Even with the magnesium from the epsom salts dilating the bile ducts you still wouldnt be able to push through the size of what these pseudo stones come out in your bowel movement.
The best way to cleanse the liver is through the use of bitter herbs, which have to come in contact with the back of your tongue.
Could you explain 'bitter herbs' please. Can I buy them or do I have to get them from a herbalist?
Thank you
Could you explain 'bitter herbs' please. Can I buy them or do I have to get them from a herbalist?
Thank you
I think that Bitter Herbs can be bought from any health food shop. 'Swedish Bitters' are another name for them. You can also buy single herbs... Gentian... is an example. It tastes awful (bitter, obviously!) and I think it causes your liver to produce bile in anticipation. Or something like that. But whatever you do it has to be the liquid form, because you have to taste the bitterness. It is the bitter taste which stimulates the liver. Tablets and capsules don't have the same effect.
MD
Yes, Gentian is a fabulous bitter herb. It's very good to take before and during main meals - sip a bit before you start eating, and sip through the meal. You can buy it as a tincture from Neals Yard - and take 5ml in some warm water. You'll notice that your bowel movements get very dark for the first week or so (extra bile production) then they settle back to a normal colour.
When that happens you can move to another liver stimulant like dandelion root... not leaf... dandelion root. You can buy it from health food shops - I buy Cotswald. I brew a 2 litre batch in a big pot on the weekend, with 2 litres of filtered water and 2 tablespoons of the root. Let it brew on the lowest heat for about an hour. Then strain out the root and decant liquid into a plastic jug and store in the fridge. I drink a mug each morning. Always have it in the morning because that's when your liver is most active.
Do that for a week, then move onto Milk Thistle. Buy the seeds and do the same as for the dandelion coffee above, but instead use 2 tablespoons of milk thistle seed and leave the seeds in after brewing (i.e. don't strain them off before decanting). It tastes awful. Apparently you are supposed to chew the seeds you get in your cup. But, well, if you hate yourself that morning you may wish to punish yourself by doing this. Otherwise, just leave them as dregs.
All three liver herbs work in different ways - so, it's good to rotate them cos you get a better outcome. I've worked with a couple of friends who are ex-junkies and they are into their liver health (after abusing them for such a long time). There are foods too which support the liver, and you are encouraged to have one with each main meal. From memory these include: artichoke hearts (drained and rinsed, tinned will do), artichoke roots (but not in company as they stimulate the production of gas), beetroot, sauerkraut, watercress.
Ava x
I think Dee Fee tea is the best to detox liver.
This product has lots of functions including promoting intestines movements, anti-constipation, removing body fat, clearing body toxicant and reducing weight.
Ingredients: Epicarpium Benincasae, Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae, Radix Polygoni Multiflori, Semen Cassiae, Radix Astragali, Folium Nelumbinis, Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, Jasmine Tea.
Usage and Dosage: Each time take one tea bag. Two or three times a day. Soaked in 170ml of hot boiled water for 5-10 minutes. It better be done for twice in a row. Not with sugar and milk.
more detail please see :
Also through acupuncture treatment on liver channel, could help to reduce the depress on liver.
Regards
All three liver herbs work in different ways - so, it's good to rotate them cos you get a better outcome.
Could you take them all at the same time?
Could you take them all at the same time?
I suppose you could, but I think it makes more sense to do things slowly. However what's the rush? Take one herb at a time, for a week, and rotate them. Would your liver 'detox' twice as fast if you took 2 herbs together? I don't know. I don't know enough about the physiological limits of the liver!
Ava x
Could you explain 'bitter herbs' please. Can I buy them or do I have to get them from a herbalist?
Thank you
Bitter herbs can be bought from any herb food store. Note they must be in liquid or powder form. They dont work in capsules as they must come in contact with the back of the tongue where the bitter receptors are located.
As has been said there are many different bitter herbs such as andrographis(king of bitters) , dandelion, gentian, milk thistle etc. Dont go with swedish bitters though they contain stimulant laxative herbs that can weaken bowel function long term.
All you need is a pinch pre meal on the back of the tongue.
Iced beverages cause sluggish liver function.