It is the time of the year when we fast and “give up” aspects of our life whether drinking, smoking, junk food or even TV and music. This is done to cleanse and refresh our emotional and spiritual selves.
The Liver, Stomach, Gall Bladder and Pancreas all benefit from a liver cleanse.
Persons also take this opportunity to cleanse their homes and be rid of all the clutter that crowds our living space. This is the first in a mini-series that shows how we can cleanse our physical and leave us revived and refreshed.
The Liver Cleanse
The liver is vital to the removal of chemicals, alcohol, pollutants and other toxins such as drugs, ammonia and metabolic wastes from the bloodstream so that the heart has a pool of oxygenated blood to pump through our bodies.
Depending on the foods we eat, the drugs (prescription and over the counter) we ingest and even the impurities in the water we drink, our liver can become filled with harmful toxins.
This slows the work of the liver and has a knock on effect for our other organs such as the heart and the lungs while leading to illnesses such as Anxiety, high or low blood pressure, dry skin, digestive disorders, stress, depression or weight gain.
To address these issues there are a number of steps that can be taken to perform a thorough liver cleanse in order to return this essential organ to its full potential.
Fasting
This is an essential portion of the liver cleanse process. This allows the liver to flush many of the accumulated toxins while not adding any additional toxins to the equation. For the first two days of the fast, consume only water and fresh fruit. Herbal teas can be added in longer fast so that it is not as harsh on the body as a full-fledged water only fast.
Detox
There are several detox products available that are used in conjunction with the fasting segment of the liver cleanse. These are to support and accelerate the removal of the toxins from the liver. A natural option for detox would require you to fast for three days previous to starting the detox, consuming fresh fruit and water. To start your fast you may incorporate a mixture of Epsom Salts, Virgin Olive Oil, fruit juice with Vitamin C or a similar organic liquid to take once a day for a given period of time for example, 2-5 days.
Diet
A major factor in the toxin levels of our liver is a diet that is terribly imbalanced with
There are some natural herbs and teas that can be used to detox the liver.
chemically processed foods and drinks. After the fast and the cleanse, it would benefit us to introduce ourselves to a more balanced diet that includes eating fresh salads and vegetables which have enzymes that aid in the cleansing of the liver and digestion. It would help to avoid fried and junk foods in our quest to reduce the amount of toxins entering the liver.
Supplements/Support
To support the work of the liver cleanse, one can also add a supplement to your daily intake. There are several options available that work naturally to assist the cleanse process. For example, incorporating Milk Thistle into your diet is an established way to help facilitate liver function. Based on the Milk Thistle plant, the supplement is known to help prevent and repair liver damage. The benefit of Milk Thistle is that it is organic, which softens the harsh effects of a liver cleanse on the body. Dandelion root is also a great supplement that supports proper liver cleanse. Both of these supplements can be taken in herbal forms.
Benefits and Effects
The benefits to cleansing the liver, especially after a regime of harsh drugs or a lifetime of junk food, are countless. A cleansed liver leads to healthier skin, better digestion, mental clarity, blood sugar control and immune boosts among other bodily functions that can be damaged due to high levels of toxins in the liver and blood. This leaves us healthier, happy and more energetic to pursue our daily tasks.
During the liver cleanse, you may experience headaches, nausea, fatigue, allergy or flu-like symptoms, acne, confusion, weakness, yeast infection, swollen lymph nodes and similar ailments. However, once the toxins are cleared from your system these symptoms will dissipate naurally.
The Liver is an essential organ and without its proper use, the body will suffer. Take this time as you remove clutter your home and spirit to cleanse your liver.
First Published in the April 2012 edition of Better Health Magazine – A Nation Publishing Co. Ltd Publication.
The Merkaba Centre 