Herbs for Liver Cleansing

The liver is one of the most critical organs of the body. As the filter of the body, the liver processes food, medication and liquids into nutrients the body can use. It is responsible for metabolism as well. Your liver is essential to your health as no other organ in the body substitutes for the liver. Liver failure is helped by dialysis. The liver has incredible resistance and regenerative properties. It can heal itself if given help from our food and natural herbs. Milk thistle, turmeric, and chamomile are found in grocery or natural food stores, and help to cleanse the liver.

Milk Thistle

Milk thistle is a plant native to the Mediterranean, but now grows in many places around the world. It is a tall plant--reaching upward of four feet, with spiny purplish flowers. It got its name from the milky fluid inside the stem. Milk thistle helps detoxify the liver naturally, and strengthens it against toxins. Milk thistle is also an anti-inflammatory herb, reducing swelling of the liver.
Taken in pill or tea form, milk thistle helps to gently remove toxins from the liver. Drink one to three cups of milk thistle tea daily or take one to three milk thistle pills daily.

Tumeric

Turmeric, a spice from India, is a yellow powder packed with a punch. Most people are familiar with turmeric as a spice used in curry with many curative properties. It has been used to treat many illnesses, from cancer to psoriasis. Turmeric is also an anti-inflammatory herb, and can be taken in pill form or as an ingredient to food. As a pill, take one to two 250-mg capsule(s) daily. As an ingredient, sprinkle lightly onto egg salad or into soup.

Chamomile

A gentle herb, chamomile is frequently used in many herbal remedies. It is a flower similar in look to the daisy, with white petals and a yellow center. Chamomile is similar to an anti-inflammatory like aspirin. Chamomile helps cleanse the liver by reducing swelling when the liver becomes inflamed due to overexposure of toxins. Once the swelling is reduced, the flow of blood through the liver moves smoothly and assists in proper liver function. Chamomile tea is the best way to use this herb. Drink one to two cups daily. Caution must be taken in individuals who use a blood thinner. Check with your doctor if you take heart or blood thinning medication, as chamomile may cause adverse effects.