c. 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.