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The Complete Home Guide to Herbs, Natural Healing, and Nutrition
By keeping the gallbladder working properly, the liver can work less
stressfully, thus relieving the bowel, the heart, and the kidneys. Raw juices
make good liver and gallbladder cleansers; blend together 60 percent
carrot juice, 30 percent beet juice, and 10 percent cucumber or apple juice
and drink one to two cups a couple of times a week. Dr. Christopher
always warned that those drinking large amounts of carrot juice can look
as if they are suffering from carotene poisoning, developing an orange
tint to their skin. However, he added reassuringly that this is just the liver
clearing, when bile flows out in quantity, and that normal skin color will
soon be restored. In my experience, before returning to normal many
patients have had a hard job calming down anxious friends and relatives
about their skin color, so before embarking on liver cleansing, it may be
wise to give them due warning.
Grapes activate the liver to stimulate glycogenic and bile secretions.
Ripe mango is invigorating and stimulates appetite. Rosemary is
beneficial in cooking or salads, owing to its bitter flavor. Radishes and
their green leaves can beneficially be taken daily for jaundice. Drink a
glass of tomato juice mixed with cayenne pepper if you suffer from a
sluggish liver (but avoid if your liver is hot and inflamed—see above).
Turmeric—fresh or dried ground root added to food— is a prime Indian
liver and gallbladder cleanser (avoid if gallstones are present). Globe
artichokes contain cynarine, which promotes the flow of bile and
stimulates liver cell regeneration.
Dizziness, eye problems, and a flushed face could suggest a deficiency
of liver enzymes— eat more dark green vegetables and cabbage.
For a liver cleanse based on foods, see chapter 6.
herbs
Many liver herbs are bitter or sour; these act as a digestive stimulant.
Some common and wild liver herbs in Europe and the United States are
dandelion leaf, sorrel leaf, angelica root, watercress, and wormwood leaf
and, in the kitchen, turmeric and lemon. If the gallbladder is actually
inflamed, then gentle herbs will be needed, like marshmallow root,
dandelion root and leaf, gentian root, wild yam root, and chamomile
flower.
All of the following herbs can be used to help the liver and gallbladder,
either by stimulating bile flow, or by helping to protect, cool, and clear
the liver: milk thistle seed, Bupleurum root, artichoke leaf, barberry root
bark, Schisandra berry, wild yam root, burdock root, gingerroot, lobelia
leaf, mugwort leaf, gentian root, dandelion root, olive leaf, turmeric
rhizome, rosemary leaf, and peppermint leaf.
Chamomile flower tea, taken daily, helps digestion and liver function
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