There are several home-based remedies touted for their ability to detoxify, or cleanse, the liver. The liver is intimately connected to the digestive and circulatory systems of the body, and if it is loaded with pollutants, this will impair the function of the entire body. None of these home remedies has been conclusively shown to replace the need for traditional medical care in the treatment of the liver. Rather, they could be discussed with a physician for inclusion within an existing or proposed treatment plan.
Milk Thistle
Milk thistle has earned a reputation as being effective for home-based liver detoxing. The substance in milk thistle which largely contributes to the detoxifying property of this herb is silymarin. The University of Maryland Medical Center suggests that this natural substance has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and protects the liver from toxins. Milk thistle can be found in many health food stores and pharmacies in capsule form. Scientific studies on milk thistle's effects on the liver are inconclusive, so talk to your doctor before embarking on a milk thistle treatment plan for your liver. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take milk thistle. People who have hormone-related cancers, such as breast or uterine cancer, should not take milk thistle.
Liver Detox Tea Formula
According to the Clayton College of Natural Health, an herbal tea formula containing dandelion and several other herbs will stimulate the liver and encourage bile production, promoting a cleansing effect. This cleansing is said to be useful for ridding livers of years of accumulated substances such as environmental toxins or other chemicals. Before ingesting any herbs such as dandelion, consult with a doctor to ensure that no dangerous interactions will occur with your existing medical treatment.
Holistic Medicine
The human body is a complex system of interdependent organs and structures. Rather than try to tackle the detoxification of the liver by addressing it individually, the holistic or integrative method takes into consideration the health of the entire body in order to clean its organs of pollutants. Luke Fortney, MD, of the University of Wisconsin's School of Medicine and Public Health in his paper "A Seven Day Program to Aid Digestion, Elimination, Detoxification, and Cleansing" uses a combination of exercise, sauna use, nutrition, medication, and massage therapy to restore health to the liver and other systems. All of the steps, including the sauna use, can be done at home and with minimal expense.
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