Health Alert 145
Conventional medical doctors do not recognize the value of herbs in general. I strongly believe there is enough research to support their use. With or without their doctors, people over the world have been using herbs for thousands of years.
Herbs can help your liver clear toxins from your blood and GI tract. They can help restore liver function. Many ailments are related to toxin build-up.1 These toxins amass over time. This further interferes with the function of your liver.2
Today you’ll learn how to use herbs to help cleanse your liver.
* Herbal Detox Remedies *
Your liver is your body’s natural filter. It allows you to enjoy alcohol while filtering out the toxins. It detoxifies water and food for you as well. The more you tax this organ the more toxins build-up. Detoxing your liver can also help lower your cholesterol. 3
Detoxify your liver a couple of times a year. You can find many products. Here’s a list of what I found to work well:
• Milk Thistle– Western medicine is still unraveling the details of how this humble weed restores liver function. I have been able to document its capacity to heal damaged livers by measuring serum liver enzymes.
For liver detox milk thistle is my first choice. Milk thistle is the plant Silybum marianum. I recommend 200 mg in capsule form twice a day. Look for dried extract with a minimum of 80% silymarin. This is the liver cleansing active ingredient.
• Alfalfa– This herb cleanses the blood and liver. It also lowers cholesterol by 25% in lab animals. It is a good source of protein, vitamins A, D, E, B-6, and K, calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, trace minerals, and digestive enzymes.
• Dandelion– This root stimulates bile and acts as a diuretic for excess water. Asians use it to treat hepatitis, jaundice, swelling of the liver, and deficient bile secretion.
Use 4-10 grams of the dried leaf or 4 to 10 milliliters (1:1) of fluid extract.5
• Sarsaparilla– This is one of my favorite teas. Its benefits are many including blood detox and it tastes great. Native Americans cherish it as a restorative tonic.
Use 1-4 grams of the dried root, or 8-12 milliliters (2 to 3 teaspoons) (1:1) liquid extract, or 250 milligrams (4:1) of solid extract.5
• Burdock Root– This ancient remedy is a diuretic and a diaphoretic. This means it increase urine and perspiration production. These actions exercise and strengthen these natural purging systems. 6
Try mixing your own blend of these herbs. You can also look for a premixed blend with as many of these ingredients you can find on the label.
Al Sears, MD
1. http://www.healthyhealing.com/aisle170.html
2. Herbal Pure: Blood Purification and Detoxification, A Synergistic Botanical Preparation http://www.viableherbalsolutions.com/prod31.htm
3. http://www.Herbal-Provider.com
4. Herbal Pure: Blood Purification and Detoxification, A Synergistic Botanical Preparation http://www.viableherbalsolutions.com/prod31.htm
5. Murray, Michael T. The Healing Power of Herbs: The Enlightened Person’s Guide to the Wonders of Medicinal Plants Prima Communications, Inc., 1992: 86-90, 302-305.
6. PDR For Herbal Medicines Medical Economics Company, Montvale, NJ, 2000: 128-129, 446-447.