New Age Gathering

Liver


Liver
-----

One of the more simple and popular cleansing techniques is
known as the Liver Flush. It is used for removing excess
fatty acids and other toxic substances from the liver. A
healthy liver can play a crucial role in contributing to the
healing of the immune system as it is an important part of
digestion (See the "Food and Nutrition" chapter for discussion
of the importance of digestion, assimilation, and elimination.)
and plays the main role in processing toxic and allergy-causing
substances in the bloodstream.

The Liver Flush can be done at any time, but is commonly done
in the Spring and Autumn.

i. Simple Liver Cleanse
--------------------
The following herbal products can be used to assist in
cleansing and rebuilding the liver. I use the formulas
for three to four weeks.

- Hepato-Pure
-----------
You can purchase this formula (made by Planetary
Herbal Formulas) from your local natural food store
or call Planetary Herbal Formulas 800-606-6226 for
the nearest distributor. It contains Bupleurum (a
chinese herb reknowned for liver cleansing), Wild Yam
Root, Oregon Grape Root, Lycii Berry, Cyperus, Dandelion
Root Extract, Dong Quai, Peony Alba, Ginger Root, Fennel
Seed, Green Citrus Peel, Dandelion Root, Milk Thistle
Seed Extract (83% Silymarin), Dong Quai Extract.

- DeLiver 1 and DeLiver 2
-----------------------
These two formulas can be purchased from Arise & Shine
(602/293-1098). DeLiver 1 contains Cholic acid,
Deoxycholic acid, Taraxacum (Dandelion), Burdock Root,
Rhubarb Root, Cynaris, Catalase. DeLiver 2 is
formulated for severe congestion of the liver.


- Liv Alive Caps
--------------
You can purchase this herbal formula from your local
natural foods store or contact the manufacturer,
Crystal Star Herbal Nutrition (209/532-6474), for the
nearest distributor. The formula contains Beet Root,
Oregon Grape Root, Dandelion Root, Wild Yam, Milk Thistle
Seed, Yellow Dock Root, Ginkgo, Biloba, Wild Cherry,
Licorice Root, Gotu Kola, Ginger Root, Barberry Bark,
Choline, Inositol.

- Milk Thistle Seeds
------------------
Milk Thistle has a reputation of being the most
powerful herb for healing and strengthening the
liver. You can get a tincture or tablets of the
powdered concentrate in most natural foods stores.
Take approximately 150mg (3 tablets) / 3 times per
day or 20 drops of tincture / 3 times per day. This
can be done for a couple of weeks after performing a
Liver Flush (see below) or taking a liver cleansing
herbal formula for a few weeks.

You can find out more about Milk Thistle by reading
"Milk Thistle -- The Liver Herb" by Christopher Hobbs,
Botanica Press, c1992,


ii. Castor oil compress
-------------------
A castor oil compress is usually performed every other
day during the Liver Flush regimen. It is helpful in
encouraging the liver to dump excess fats.

Soak a piece of wool or flannel (or a baby's cotton
diaper) in castor oil. Ring out the cloth so that it
doesn't drip. Place over the liver area (on the right
side, just under the ribcage). place a hot water bottle
(purchase from a drug store), not an electric heating
pad over the cloth. Then place a towel over the hot
water bottle. Leave on for 1.5 hours, replacing the water
when necessary so that the area is kept hot (but not too hot
to stand). After removing the compress, spend 5 to 10
minutes rubbing small amounts of virgin olive oil into the
liver area.

iii. Coffee Enema
------------
A coffee enema is usually used as a *part* of a cleansing
program in order to encourage the liver to dump large
amounts of toxins. You may wish to try this technique
*once or twice* when you are performing the Liver Flush,
Gallbladder Flush or GI Tract cleanse. Do not use this
technique obsessively, just on occassion when performing a
cleanse. You can get a coffee enema instruction sheet for
free from Arise & Shine.

iv. Liver Flush
-----------
The following Liver Flush instructions are based upon
Christopher Hobbs' suggestions in his book, "Foundations
of Health: The Liver and Digestive Herbal."

For 10 days you do the following:

1. In the morning after a little exercise (e.g., short
walk, yoga, breathing exercises, etc.), drink the
liver flush mixture (see below).

2. After drinking the liver flush mixture, drink two cups
of herbal tea designed to cleanse the liver.
Alternatively, take one of the liver cleansing formulas
listed above as directed.

3. Follow a healthy, natural foods diet during the rest of
the day. Also, remembering to breath deeping, using
the diaphram, can be helpful. A light abdominal
massage once per day can also be helpful.

4. Take (or continue taking) one of the liver cleansing
formulas listed above for two to three more weeks.

5. Take Milk Thistle and Red Beet Crystals
(see above) for a few weeks after finishing the
liver cleanse. This will help the process of
rebuilding the liver.

6. Optional and helpful

- Perform the Castor oil compress every other day.

- Perform one coffee enema during the cleanse.

- Perform abdominal massage every other day.

Liver flush mixture
-------------------
Mix freshly sqeezed citrus juices together (e.g., orange,
grapefruit). Mix in as much freshly sqeezed lemon (or
lime) as possible. The more sour the taste, the better
the cleanse. Add 1-2 cloves of fresh-sqeezed garlic.
Add a small amount of ginger root juice (grate the ginger
and sqeeze the resultant fibers to obtain ginger juice).
Finally, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil (use the expensive
stuff from a natural foods stores). Shake or blend and
drink.

Cleansing herbal tea
--------------------
Example 1 - "Puri-Tea" from Brigitte Mars (herbalist in
Colorado) Peppermint, red clover, fennel, licorice,
cleavers, dandelion, Oregon grape root, burdock root,
butternut bark, chickweed, parsley root, nettles.
You should be able to find something similar at your
local natural foods store.

Example 2 - Fennel Seed (1 part), Fenugreek (1
part), Flax Seed (1 part), Licorice Root (1/4 part),
Burdock (1/4 part), Peppermint (1 part).
Simmer all herbs except the peppermint for 20
minutes. Add 1 part peppermint and let the tea steep
for 10 minutes. Use approximately 1 ounce (wt.) of
total dried tea per pint of water.

See the following books for more information on healing
the liver:

i. Foundations of Health: The Liver and Digestive Herbal
by Christopher Hobbs
Botanica Press, c1992

ii. Natural Liver Therapy
by Christopher Hobbs
Botanica Press, c1993 (3rd revision)
This book contains alot of good information on
restoring the health of the liver as well as many
natural remedies.


Rebuilding & Strengthening
--------------------------

1. Milk Thistle Seeds (see above)

2. Herbal Formula such as Hepato-Pure from Planetary Herbal
Formulas (see above).

3. Building a healthy population of beneficial bacteria in
the intestines is very helpful for preventing the building
of toxins which can overwork the liver. Regularly eating
fermented foods (if tolerable) or taking a probiotic
suppliment can be very helpful in doing this. See the
"Probiotics" section of the "Food & Nutrition"
chapter for more information.

4. Abdominal Massage once per day.

5. Deep breathing exercises and yogic breathing
exercises (see "Yoga" chapter and "Emotional Healing"
chapter for Hendricks Breathing Exercises).

6. Healthy diet without dairy.

7. See "Natural Liver Therapy" by Christopher Hobbs for
additional tips.

Posted by Cougar Tuesday, June 13, 2006 (16:03:33)