Looking for Tips on supporting the liver

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer on June 10, 2008 at 2:59pm

I think dandelion is good for the liver.

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Permalink Reply by Kris on June 10, 2008 at 3:21pm

That's in the Get Clean also! I highly recommend it. It tastes really good and is naturally decaffeinated (Rooibos isn't technically tea). Rooibos supposedly has even more antioxidants that green tea though.

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Permalink Reply by Kris on June 10, 2008 at 3:02pm

Beets are fantastic liver cleansers. So is something called Milk Thistle which you can get in a supplement form and also in some teas. Republic of Tea has a line of Rooibos teas - one is called "Get Clean" and contains milk thistle. I use both the supplement and the tea.

Selenium is good also, I think. You don't even need to take it in a pill form - just buy some brazil nuts and have a couple every day. Get the ones that you need to shell yourself, I've read they have more selenium.

Have you ever heard of a castor oil pack? You spread castor oil over the area of your liver and then cover it with a towel and leave it there for like 45 minutes to an hour. Some people say to put a heating pad over but don't do it if you have any cancer in the area. It's usually recommended that this be done every day for a period of a few weeks. Castor oil can be kind of messy but I have seen it in a roll on version which is a lot easier to deal with. If your local health food store doesn't have it, you can get it at cncahealth.com. If you google "castor oil pack" you should be able to find some specific instructions and additional info.

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Permalink Reply by Dharma on June 10, 2008 at 5:51pm

Hi Kris...I too have a sick little liver =( and this 'castor oil pack' sounds very soothing. I can't wait to try it.Thanks~Dharma

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Permalink Reply by laetitia on June 10, 2008 at 3:18pm

My acupuncturist told me that fresh mint tea and also cilantro were good liver cleansers.

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Permalink Reply by Elaine on June 10, 2008 at 3:37pm

Hey Darling,

When I was at the Austin retreat with Kris, Terri and our own resident MD Beth, she told us that every morning drink hot water with a half of lemon put in it detoxs the liver. I have been doing that since the retreat...
e

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Permalink Reply by laetitia on June 10, 2008 at 4:05pm

Yes I forgot that and I believe they add cayenne pepper to it also, that's what I drink every morning now.

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Permalink Reply by Christine on June 10, 2008 at 4:23pm

Thanks so much!! I have been drinking water with lemon everyday. Elaine, I hope this isn't a stupid question, but does it matter if the water is hot or cold?

Kris, is Rooibos tea itself good for the liver or just that particular "get clean" kind? I have heard of Milk Thistle but last time I tried it I had a really bad reaction so now I'm kind of nervous about mixing herbs with my seizure meds. Thanks though :)

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Permalink Reply by Elaine on June 10, 2008 at 5:02pm

Hey C, I believe it needs to be hot and one in the morning but that would really be a question for Beth MD, aka BAV BETH knows everything.

Elaine

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Permalink Reply by Mel on June 10, 2008 at 8:28pm

I may be wrong, but I seem to recall reading that the water should be warm, but not hot or cold. You don't want the body to have to react to an extreme temperature, whether hot or cold. I'd go for very warm, but comfortable to the mouth.

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Permalink Reply by Kris on June 10, 2008 at 5:39pm

Rooibos itself is good because of it's antioxidant content - it rivals green tea from what I understand. I think it's the milk thistle in the Get Clean that makes it good for the liver in particular. But if you've had a reaction to it, definitely stay away from milk thistle in general. There are plenty of good Rooibos teas without it if you like tea.

You've gotten lots of other good suggestions here so you don't need the milk thistle!

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer on June 10, 2008 at 5:59pm

You know I did a liver cleanse once and I had to drink a concoction of lemon/lime juice, olive oil and garlic. It actually tastes pretty good if you love that kind of thing. I think grapefruit was used, too.

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