Healthy Liver Guidelines

The blood that runs through our bodies is much like the rivers and streams that nourish the Earth. Those rivers running clean from the mountains sparkle with life. They feed and nourish the Earth that they pass through. Rivers that run through cities become sluggish and thick with chemicals, toxins and environmental wastes. The waters that were once life-giving turn to poison. The same is true in the human system if it becomes loaded down with toxins. This occurs when the liver is not sparkling with life force.

The liver serves as the body’s’ detoxifier, responsible for the condition of the blood, our life river, and therefore for the health of the entire human system. By building and strengthening the Liver, one improves the quality of the bloodstream, which is the source of physical nourishment and creates a radiant and vital environment throughout the body.

The largest and most metabolically diversified organ, the liver, performs more functions than any other single organ of the body. It is involved directly or indirectly in all physiological processes. In the past it was called the seat of life. In traditional Chinese medicine the liver was considered to house the soul and was responsible for the flow of energy or chi. It is believed that the name liver derives from the Anglo-Saxon word ver meaning to live. The liver performs over 500 known metabolic functions.

• It aids in the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and minerals.
• It manufactures the blood clotting chemicals, prothrombin and fibrinogen, which are needed to keep one from bleeding to death.
• It is the most important organ for the maintenance of blood sugar levels.
• It produces and stores glycogen, a source of glucose needed by the brain and muscles for energy.
• It manufactures bile, essential for digestion and for the absorption and digestion of fats. This directly affects the synthesis of cholesterol and its breakdown.
• It stores all fat-soluble vitamins including, vitamins a, e, d, k and b 12, and metabolizes all other vitamins. The fat-soluble vitamins depend upon bile for their absorption.
• It deactivates and balances hormones such as estrogen, corticosteroid and other steroids.
• It digests worn out red blood cells and some bacteria.
• It renders harmless the chemicals, drugs and toxins that find their way into the blood stream. The liver not only cleanses the system of environmental toxins but of metabolic wastes that are by-products of our internal functions.

The liver has high regenerative powers, however it is heavily taxed due to the vast amounts of substances it must filter and transform every minute of our lives. Even the good foods we eat tax the liver, it biologically transforms all ingested material, good and bad, so that it can be utilized in the best way possible by the body. Without this biological transformation even the best foods would become poison. All nutritive substances are metabolized only after they are acted upon by the secretions and digestive enzymes produced by the liver. The liver plays such an integral role in the entire metabolic process it is a wonder it performs as consistently and remarkably as it does. However because of it’s complex and diversified jobs, when it does malfunction the effects are felt throughout the entire system. Many of the imbalances and diseases associated with the kidneys, heart, skin, respiratory, and glandular systems are the direct effect of an over burdened liver.

• Chronic and acute skin ailments such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, boils, liver spots and rashes.
• Digestive disturbances. The liver is a major organ of digestion; flatulence, constipation, ulcers, indigestion, IBS, and colitis, indicate a liver imbalance.
• Immunological disorders including immune deficiency.
• Chronic debilitating disease such as cancer, diabetes, arthritis, rheumatism, AIDS and long term illness.
• Hormone disturbances such as PMS, infertility, menstrual difficulties, problems with the reproductive organs.
• Nervous system disorders. The liver and nervous system compliment one another. Each supports the other in well-being. Presence of migraines, chronic nerve disorders, and emotional instability may indicate liver.
• Kidney related disturbances. The kidneys serve as the master filter for all the blood that passes through our bodies. A malfunctioning liver can create toxic build up in the blood, which in turn can severely over tax the kidneys.
• Drug addictions of all kinds.
• All problems directly related to liver such as hepatitis or jaundice.
• Endometriosis

AN ALKALIZING DIET – the diet for a healthy liver emphasizes dark green leafy vegetables, fresh sprouts (especially fenugreek, alfalfa, and clover), beets, and beet greens, all fresh vegetables, whole grains, seeds (especially sesame) and raw almonds.

HERBS THAT CAN BE ADDED TO THE DIET – Parsley, watercress, nettle, mustard greens, amaranth greens, lambs quarters, clover blossoms, alfalfa, chickweed and cleavers.

HERBS FOR THERAPY – Dandelion root and leaf, Yellowdock root, Burdock root, Chaparral Leaf, Red Clover Blossoms, Echinacea Root, Oregon Grape Root, Plantain Leaf, Stinging Nettle Leaf, Sassafras Bark, Chicory Root and Golden Seal Root.

FRUITS THAT ALKALIZE THE DIET – lemons, grapefruits, cherries, and apples.

FOODS TO AVOID- as in any program of good health it is not just what you eat but also what you do NOT eat that contributes to the result. The foods listed below are difficult if not impossible for the liver to digest and will further tax it.

• Alcohol – is a prime factor of liver degeneration
• Fried, fatty and oily foods
• Full fat cheeses & excess animal fats.
• Processed foods with many food additives and preservatives
• Butter, cream and rich fatty foods
• Chocolate and sugar
• Avoid dairy foods except for soured, cultured products such as yogurt, buttermilk, and kefir. Cottage cheese and low fat cheeses can be used in moderation.
• Caffeine

There are obviously many foods on the above list that are the favorites and or addictions of many. Depending upon the severity of your health concern you will have to decide if need to and are ready to alter your diet this significantly. If the condition is not too severe you can often work with elimination for a shorter time frame to allow the liver to strengthen and regain balance and then work with moderation.

RECOMMENDED THERAPY: A general therapy would start with a cleansing and fortifying tea blend, which is taken daily 5 of 7 days, for 3-6 months. A tincture to help strengthen the liver is added after the teas have been taken for approximately 1-2 months. The blends and tinctures are individually blended based on specific needs. During and at the completion of this period reassessments are made and changes to the amount or types of herbs are made as needed. A general fortifying program for the liver is 1-3months.

HEALTH NOTE: the information included here is non-diagnostic. Any concerns about your health and supplementation with herbs or diet should be done in consultation with your doctor. Diseases of the Liver are serious and require medical attention.

Take the Liver self-test to determine if you are Deficient (Yin) or Excess (Yang)