Detoxify with Herbs

The liver's main role in the body is for detox, by taking in blood from the digestive system and filtering out toxins like alcohol, medication and processed foods to be excreted. It also helps in the maintenance of energy in the body by breaking down fats for use, as well as helping to maintain a healthy blood sugar level.

Focusing on the health of your liver is the foundation of vitality.

The liver purifies the blood. If the liver is stagnant, the blood purification may be inadequate, leading to the release of toxins through the skin causing acne, eczema, acidosis and allergies. Toxic blood feeds all degenerative conditions such as cancer and arthritis.

1. Digestion and elimination are the first steps toward a healthier liver. If you are not eliminating daily, that becomes the focus. Once you have established that your bowels are working, it is now time to increase digestion.
2. Promote elimination by including fibre and hydrating. The goal is to have one bowel movement at least once a day. If constipation is chronic, you can take 150 to 300 milligrams of magnesium citrate twice daily in capsule form. You can take more if you need to go to the bathroom. If you get loose stools, cut back. Take daily probiotics — approximately 50 billion CFUs of lactobacillus and bifidobacteria and drink eight glasses of water daily. 
3. Improve Digestion: Promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestines, so that they can keep potentially harmful bacteria in check. Probiotics can also be supplemented.
4. Mind/Body Wellness: Stress can impair the body’s detoxification systems and lead to digestive ailments, impaired immunity, and have wide-ranging effects on health. A detox diet is a time not just to let the body heal, but to allow the mind to rest. 
   


Signs of Toxic Overload

• Bad breath and coated tongue
• Foul smelling breath caused by unhealthy/bad digestion from a backed-up colon or periodontal disease.
• Hemorrhoids 
• Constipation/Digestive complaints 
• Irregular or insufficient bowel movements 
• Use of pharmaceutical drugs and antibiotics 
• Weight gain 
• Acne – skin break-outs are often a sign of toxicity in the blood or the liver.
• Excessive body odor
• Belching and bad gas 
• Chronic constipation.
• Lack of energy – could be environmental toxicity, allergies, sluggish liver
• Inflammation and pain/fibromyalgia – joint pain (over-acid body)
• Mental fog, poor concentration
• Allergies
• Depression headaches (includes sinus)
  

Foods to avoid when detoxing include: dairy, wheat, gluten-containing foods, sugar and artificial sweeteners, fried foods and processed foods, deli meats. Eat plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit (avoid tropical fruit), include brown rice, quinoa and other gluten free grains.

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Herbs that Support Liver and Detoxification

Dandelion promotes bowel regularity, good hydration levels in the body and cleansing of the liver by supporting bile production, and bile helps transport toxins out of the body. 

Organic Milk Thistle helps produce bile, therefor improving digestion.

Stinging Nettle cleanses and builds blood. Since it has a good influence over the pancreas, it assists in lowering the blood sugar and stimulates bowel movements.



By Michelle Pascal, Registered Holistic Nutritionist

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