The liver is one of our most vital organs. It helps filter out toxins and waste materials from our blood, and keeps the rest of our organs supplied with clean blood so they can function properly. It also produces enzymes, converts nutrients to energy and controls our metabolism. So if the liver isn't functioning at peak performance, it can negatively impact our overall health. Detoxification and cleansing can help keep the liver working properly, and there are a number of herbal options for you to choose from.
Milk Thistle
According to Renew Life, milk thistle has been used in the past to support normal cleansing functions of the liver. Silymarin, the main ingredient in milk thistle, is very high in antioxidant activity and helps to protect the liver and keep it functioning at a healthy level.
Artichoke
Artichoke is helpful for the liver because it helps increase bile production and, like milk thistle, protects healthy liver cells and helps the liver regenerate faster. Artichokes contain a strong antioxidant called silymarin, which is thought to be helpful in protecting the liver from toxicity and cancer.
Rosemary
According to the website Home Remedies, rosemary activates certain enzymes in the liver that help it flush out toxins more rapidly. Options for using rosemary include rosemary extract, which can be bought in some health food stores, flavoring your foods with fresh rosemary or using fresh rosemary or the extract in tea.
Turmeric Root
The site Home Remedies cites an oil in turmeric called curcuminoids that help reduce the toxins in the body. It's long been used to treat people suffering from cirrhosis and hepatitis.
Licorice Root
This root contains the chemical glycyrrhizin, which has been shown to inhibit liver cell injury caused by the many toxins that the liver encounters. Licorice root also helps neutralize certain chemical toxins before they even reach the liver.
Dandelion Root
Dandelion root is a common ingredient in many liver detox remedies. Dandelion increases bile production, which helps with digestion and the removal of toxic waste from the body before it reaches the liver. This means less work and improved capacity for the liver.
Swedish Bitters
This herb stimulates the gall bladder, which in turn produces bile. The bile produced by the gall bladder then flushes through the liver, cleansing it of toxins and debris.
Herbal Blends
The Herbal Encyclopedia recommends using various combinations of certain herbs over a prescribed period of time to complete a liver cleanse. Those include making teas consisting of different combinations of dandelion root, ginger, peppermint, rosemary, milk thistle, sarsaparilla, parsley, nettle, yellow dock, kelp, spirulina and rose hips.
