In Chinese Medicine, springtime is associated with the element of wood. This is the season when trees and plants grow and fresh wood emerges from the soil. It is an ideal time to detoxify the liver by fasting or consuming fresh juices. You may also consider removing processed foods from your diet and consuming more vegetables and fruits. The wood element is closely linked to the liver, which is a vital organ. The liver is associated with the emotion of anger, the taste of sourness, and the color green. Signs Your Liver Needs Some Detoxing
When our liver becomes sluggish due to toxins or repression, it can cause a range of symptoms that may lead to misdiagnosis of other chronic autoimmune diseases. These symptoms may include fatigue, depression, PMS symptoms in women, headaches, floaters in the eyes, migraines, and digestive problems. To prevent and correct this sluggishness, it is important to rejuvenate and cleanse your liver frequently.
What the Liver Does
The liver plays an essential role in filtering and detoxifying your blood. It is also responsible for producing glutathione, which helps in recycling spent antioxidants. Furthermore, it aids in converting sunlight to vitamin D3 and manufacturing bile, which is essential for removing nutrients from food particles in the small intestine.
It cannot be emphasized enough to go about the cleansing gently and slowly. Elimination is important, as well as support for all other organs. Going too fast might result in headaches and the body is unable to flush out the toxins released and may then deposit them somewhere else. Green foods, lightly sour-tasting foods, and bitter foods are great for this organ system.
Drinking plenty of warm water, sleeping enough, gentle exercise, and good organic food are keys to success.
Herbal Solutions:
Chinese Medicine Herbs: Chinese Medicine has a lot of single herbs and traditional formulas that focus on detoxing and moving the Liver, depending on the presentation in each person. It is best to consult an experienced licensed Chinese Medicine Practitioner to see what will work for you.
Western Herbs: Dandelion and milk thistle are two herbs common in the Western world for purifying and strengthening the liver. Dandelion is usually considered more of a cleanser, while milk thistle is commonly recognized as a tonic strengthener. They can be prepared as a tea or tincture.
Homeopathic remedies: Homeopathy is great to add to one of the other herbal protocols for additional support. They are also very useful for sensitive individuals who need to work at a gentler pace. Please consult with an experienced practitioner in Homeopathy for best results.
Cilantro (organic): Cilantro (coriander) can be chopped and added to foods, used with other ingredients for making soups, mixed with green smoothies, or used with carrots and other items for juicing.
It has been clinically proven to remove toxic mercury and other heavy metals from our blood. The combination of chlorella and cilantro creates a super detox recipe.
Lemon/lime water: drinking warm/hot water with a substantial squeeze of lemon or lime first thing in the morning is a great method of stimulating and cleansing the liver: no sugar or any sweetener.
Burdock tea: Burdock tea is easy to make and inexpensive. It’s the go-to blood purifier in Ayurvedic medicine.
Chlorella and other green super-foods: Chlorella is a favorite, but some also swear by spirulina, wheat grass, and other green superfoods. Chlorella purifies the liver and the blood, is a prebiotic to nurture probiotic bacteria, and promotes bile production.
It has been clinically proven to remove toxic mercury and other heavy metals from our blood. The combination of chlorella and cilantro creates a super detox recipe.
For any further questions or to get started on a personalized Liver Cleanse, come into Hummingbird Community Acupuncture in Boulder, CO. We have an extensive herbal pharmacy and also combine Chinese Herbal therapy with Functional Medicine. We would love to help!
