Our resident naturopath Mim Beim shares her best liver cleansing advice.
Herbal bitters
Bitter medicines are beloved by herbalists. The bitter taste stimulates digestive processes, including the liver's production of bile. Bile, part digestive juice, part waste product, is made by the liver and excreted via the bowel. Herbal bitters are also known as Swedish Bitters.
St. Mary's Thistle
St. Mary's Thistle and the Police share the same motto – "To protect and serve". It protects liver cells from damage from the likes of alcohol and carbon tetrachloride and serves to regenerate already damaged liver cells.
Lemon juice
The juice of half a lemon in hot water first thing in the morning is a time-honoured way to start the day, and is an excellent wake up call for the liver. The sourness of lemons triggers nerve and hormone activation to the liver and digestive system. Very helpful for those who suffer from sluggish bowels.
Brussels sprouts
The brassica family including cabbage, broccoli and Brussels sprouts, contain glucosinolates. Glucosinolates are sulphur containing (hence the boarding school corridor smell) compounds that protect the liver from damage and improve its ability to eliminate toxins and excess hormones.
Turmeric
The spice that colours curries yellow, and was also used to dye the robes of Hindu priests. Turmeric has impressive anti-inflammatory effects throughout the body, including the liver. Excellent for a liver virus or infection.
Crab apple
The Bach Flower, Crab Apple, is for people who feel ashamed of their physical appearance, and may themselves feel toxic. Although Bachs are mostly recommended for emotional purposes, Crab Apple, fits the bill nicely to be used for dexox purposes.
Water
Drinking sufficient fluids such as water, tea and herbal tea, improves the flow of nutrients to, and waste products from, the liver. Not drinking enough may increase the risk of gallstones, which is when bile becomes too concentrated in the gall bladder.
Zinc
Zinc is important in many enzyme reactions throughout the body. In particular, zinc is needed by the liver enzyme, alcohol dehydrogenase, to break down alcohol into less toxic substances. If you drink, you need zinc.
Dandelion Root
A long history of healing ailing livers. Dandelion root coffee is black and bitter, making it an excellent coffee alternative if you are keen on improving liver health.
Methionine
An essential amino acid, methionine is vital for several detoxification processes performed by the liver. It also forms part of a compound known as glutathione, which is an antioxidant, protecting liver and other cells from damage.
