Liver Cleanse
Welcome!
I would say amongst all herbal traditions and systems, everyone is in agreement that springtime is the perfect time to cleanse the liver and release accumulated toxins. The earth is coming alive and it’s time to reset, renew, and bring our bodies to life as well. Think of “spring cleaning” internally after coming off of sluggish winter hibernation, holiday parties, and heavier winter eating.
The liver has over 500 known functions in the body. The liver is the body's major filter that processes most of the daily toxins we are exposed to in the modern world. These include pesticides, herbicides, glyphosate, vegetable oils, fried foods, detergents, bpa in plastic, heavy metals, medications, chlorine, air pollution, car exhaust, body care products (even organic ones), cleaning products etc.
It’s vital to keep the liver functioning at its best. When the liver is clean, nourished, and functioning properly all of our other systems function better. A clean liver supports hormone balance, energy levels, moods, skin, digestion, and metabolism.
A functioning liver helps produce bile which helps break down fats and helps us detox toxic waste. A healthy liver also helps the body absorb nutrients.
A liver that’s not clean and supported can lead to fatigue, seasonal allergies, skin issues, inflammation, indigestion, brain fog, depression, back pain, and anger. A very unkept liver can lead to cirrhosis which is severe scarring of the liver.
The liver is an amazing organ that can even regenerate itself. But often after a long winter, the onslaught of daily toxins, and alcohol it needs a little extra support.
After doing a liver cleanse I sleep deeper, have more energy, have glowing skin, jump-start weight loss, and feel more clear and bright.
It’s Time To Cleanse!
This is a gentle liver cleanse to remove toxins from the liver. The focus of this cleanse is the liver and gallbladder.
Citrus helps chelate heavy metals from the liver.
Garlic contains selenium and sulphur which cleanses the liver and naturally flushes toxins out of the body. Garlic protects the liver and helps it function better. The garlic also helps fight bacteria, viruses, fungi, and clears out parasites.
Lemons help stimulate and flush out the liver. Sour foods are the most cleansing to the liver.
Lemons have strong antibacterial properties. Purify and detox with lemons. Fresh lemon juice can also help protect your liver from any alcohol damage.
Olive oil helps to signal the flow of bile dissolving waste and helps it flow out easily.
Ginger gets the blood moving and moves toxins out.
Drink Herbal Tea!
Two of my favorite herbal teas to support and nourish the liver are burdock root and dandelion root. 2-3 cups per day during a cleanse is helpful. Add raw honey to taste. Honey is also associated with liver health.
If you can get fresh burdock root at your local health food store- chop it up and pour hot water over it. Allow to steep for 20 minutes.
I like to drink extra water when cleansing to help flush toxins.
Move the body!
Remember to stretch daily. Lift your arms up to the sky. Sit up, open your chest up and bring your shoulders down. Swing your arms. In Traditional Chinese Medicine stretching is considered an important way to balance the Liver.
Get outdoors! Breath fresh air, walk, hike, or run.
Eat a whole food diet!
Remove processed foods! Remove processed sugars. Remove foods in packages. Eat whole organic fruits, whole organic vegetables (lightly steamed), fermented vegetables, grass-fed & grass-finished meats, pastured eggs and raw dairy.
Cleanse negative emotions!
A liver cleanse is also a good opportunity to cleanse emotions that aren’t serving our health. Anger, frustration, resentment and unforgiveness are for very toxic emotions that can be directly harmful to the liver. Work on forgiveness with a counselor. :) Gratitude is one helpful practice to start detoxing negative emotions.
Supplements- Milk thistle (tincture or capsule), choline(strips fat from liver), desiccated liver pills.
Liver Cleanse Recipe:
1 orange juiced
1 lemon juiced
1 garlic clove
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tiny piece of ginger
1 dash of cayenne pepper
Blend all ingredients in a vita-mix or blender for a frothy deliciously powerful drink!
Drink right away upon waking. After drinking- lay on your left side for 10 minutes. Wait 30 minutes to eat.
Do this for 10 days straight or until your body feels the cleanse is complete. It's important to listen to your body.
So for 10 days you’ll need 10 lemons, 10 oranges, 10 garlic cloves.. Happy shopping and happy cleansing!