Liver Rehab: 10 Detox Remedies

Admit it, eating a healthy and balanced diet is nearly impossible nowadays. Our fast-paced lifestyle often leads us to fast food, takeaways, and processed food items. These, and our unhealthy lifestyle, may cause slow degradation of our liver process as toxins begin to build up.

For the liver to be able to function well, it must get rid of the toxins.

Liver detox, or liver cleansing, means taking foods and drinks that flush away those toxins. The liver has its own way of detoxifying itself. However, introducing beneficial nutrients may further boost its functions and prevent damage.

Why You Should Detox Your Liver

The liver is one of the hardest working organs in the body that metabolizes food, processes nutrients and removes toxins from the bloodstream. It is also the one that handles and breaks down alcohol and the medications that we take.

If the liver fails, all of the other organs and bodily processes may also become affected. The best that you can do is to remove toxic foods from your diet, avoid alcohol, quit smoking and take some of these liver rehab remedies.

Also, prolonged high blood sugar levels can lead to the accumulation of fat in the liver, a condition known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Over time, NAFLD can progress to more severe liver conditions such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and eventually to liver cirrhosis or even liver cancer.

Therefore, maintaining stable blood sugar levels through a healthy diet, regular exercise, and proper management of conditions like diabetes is crucial for liver health.

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Liver Rehab: 10 Detox Remedies

Milk Thistle: Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is rich in silymarin, a group of flavonoids that is best for liver repair. It is especially beneficial in liver damage caused by alcohol. It removes poisons, regenerates new liver tissues and protects them from damage.

Milk thistle also contains silibinin which prevents liver cancer. It is a widely used ingredient in herbal food supplements that promote liver health.

In its raw form, milk thistle can be taken as a decoction prepared by boiling its fresh leaves. You may also eat its boiled leaves, stem, flower and roots like an artichoke for a natural liver-cleansing diet.

⇒ What I Wish I Knew Before Taking Milk Thistle (Video)

Dandelion: Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is packed with nutrients that help ease liver congestion. It is an alterative herb that can keep the liver clean. Dandelion may increase bile formation to support liver and gallbladder health. It is also beneficial in treating jaundice, fatty liver, obesity and other related health issues.

Eating raw dandelion leaves after consuming alcohol can metabolize the alcohol and eliminate it from the system quickly.

For liver cleansing, you can prepare this easy dandelion tea liver detox recipe: Pour one cup of cold water over 2 tbsp chopped dandelion leaves, stems and roots. Bring to a boil, steep for about 20 minutes and strain into a cup. Take 1 cup of dandelion tea before breakfast and another cup before bedtime.

Ginger: Ginger (Zingiber officinale) contains powerful compounds that can inhibit inflammation. Gingerols and shogaols also protect against liver damage from toxins. Ginger is considered the safest herbal remedy even for patients with existing liver diseases.

Cinnamon: Cinnamomum cassia or Cinnamomum zeylanicum are two varieties of cinnamon that are found to be effective against non-alcoholic fatty liver. When taken in low doses, cinnamon is an effective natural liver-cleansing spice.

Cinnamon water is an easy and inexpensive way to detox. It is prepared by boiling 2 cinnamon sticks in 4 cups of water. Boil the mixture and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes before straining. Add a tsp of cinnamon powder.

However, it is important to avoid taking cinnamon in relatively large doses for an extended period. Cinnamon, particularly the cassia variety, contains a high amount of coumarin that can damage the liver when taken excessively. If you can, choose the Ceylon variety which is better.

Cranberry: Cranberry juice is also one of the most effective remedies when it comes to liver cleansing. It flushes out toxins and prevents bacterial overgrowth that contributes to the accumulation of such toxins. Cranberry does not only detoxify the liver but also the lymphatic system to neutralize the body’s waste products.

You can buy cranberry juice in many supermarkets but always opt for unsweetened juices, or make your own juice if possible.

Fenugreek: Fenugreek, or methi (Trigonella foenumgraecum), is rich in polyphenolic compounds that are beneficial for liver cleansing when taken in moderate amounts. It is also useful in preventing liver damage associated with alcohol intake.

More studies are conducted on the safety of fenugreek because of its possible ill effect on the liver in high doses and extended use.

An easy fenugreek liver detox is made by soaking 1 tsp fenugreek seeds in a glass of water overnight. Strain the water in the morning, stir in honey and take it on an empty stomach once a day for no more than 21 days.

Turmeric: Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a valuable spice that can be used for a wide range of health problems. It contains curcumin which is very effective in kidney and liver cleansing. Curcumin helps promote the flow of bile in the liver that breaks down fat and carries waste products.

To detoxify your liver, just mix 1 tsp turmeric powder and a pinch of black pepper in a glass of lukewarm milk. Drink it twice daily for two weeks to effectively cleanse and boost liver function.

Carom: Carom seeds (Trachyspermum ammi) are a bitter and pungent spice of the parsley family. It has been used for a long time for treating excessive bile production in the liver. Carom can tame bilious headaches and nausea related to it.

The seeds contain thymol and antioxidants that are effective in purging the body of toxins. It enhances digestion, cleans the liver and treats circulatory problems. For liver diseases, carom seeds are often soaked in lime juice and allowed to dry in the shade. Half a teaspoon of these soaked seeds is then mixed with a pinch of salt in lukewarm water and taken twice a day.

Hibiscus: The flowers of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) are excellent in flushing away toxins from the liver. It has hepatoprotective compounds that prevent these poisons from accumulating and damaging the liver and disrupting its processes.

Roselle tea is also an effective antioxidant that neutralizes the free radicals affecting many organs in the body. Take a cup of hibiscus flower tea twice a day to keep your liver protected and cleansed.

Licorice: In small doses, licorice roots may help enhance liver function and cleanse it from damaging free radicals. Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is one of the most effective herbs used for preventing liver damage during chemotherapy.

The glycyrrhizin found in licorice can decrease or prevent liver injury caused by drugs, obesity and ischemia. It is beneficial in treating both alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver. However, licorice is only effective within a specified dose and period of use. Limit its dosage, do not take it for more than 6 weeks and avoid licorice if you have an existing liver cirrhosis.

More importantly, consider the advice of a health professional before taking any detox program especially if you have an existing liver condition.

Natural Liver Detox Remedy

Here is an easy yet potent liver rehab recipe you can make with simple kitchen ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp fenugreek seeds
• 1 tsp cinnamon powder
• juice of half a lemon
• 1 cup boiling water

Steps:

1. Crush the fenugreek seeds using a mortar and pestle.
2. In a cup, combine the cinnamon powder and lemon juice.
3. Add the crushed fenugreek seeds.
4. Pour boiling water into the cup and stir to mix them well. You can strain this tonic but eating the fenugreek seeds is highly recommended.
5. Drink 1 cup of this liver tonic on an empty stomach in the morning for 7 days while abstaining from alcohol and processed foods, and limiting saturated fats.

Liver detox is most effective if you avoid the foods, drinks and lifestyle choices that put a strain on its natural processes. As with any detoxification protocol, it is crucial you get enough quality rest and reduce stress levels. This Sleep Blend and Anxiety & Stress Blend can help.

Write in the comment section below if you try this remedy, or if there are other liver detox recipes that work well for you.

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