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Spring cleaning can mean many different things to many different
people. To an herbalist like myself, it is an internal process which
manifests into a greater flow of vitality for the benefit of the
whole body. We can look to the external to see what is going on
in our own internal environment. Such as… Are you seeing life with
the uplifting energy of spring? Are you ready and willing to tear
the house apart, cleaning and bringing in the sweetness of nature
to any area of congestion? Are you joyful and filled with new creative
thoughts about your life and the upcoming year? Or are you procrastinating,
and wishing you could hibernate a little longer before facing the
power of spring and summer? What have your emotions been like lately?
Smooth and balanced, able to digest life’s challenges with a smile?
Or are you feeling tumultuous, stuck and angry with lots of highs
and lows? Before embarking on any blood cleansing or liver detoxification
program, it is wise to check in with yourself and see where you
are with the energy of this powerful blood and liver system that
is linked to the springtime.
The liver is a secondary organ of digestion which, when congested
with toxins (either environmental or emotional), can decrease in
function, hindering our ability to digest not only our food, but
our life as well. The liver, according to Chinese medicine, is the
place we store our anger, jealousy, and rage. It is very important
to know that as you start influencing this organ with herbs and
a healthy diet, you will also activate these very potent stored
emotions as well.
You will need to develop a sensitive, nurturing strategy for dealing
with the symptoms of cleansing. Do not underestimate the depth of
the physical, emotional, and energetic response to inner housecleaning.
Toxic headaches, flu-like symptoms, low energy and mood swings are
all common reactions to a cleanse. Some people report a spiritual
euphoria as symptoms clear. Getting lymph massage, colonics, and
other forms of body work can help move these energies for a more
complete process of cleansing.
Changing the diet to eliminate those factors which stress the liver
is the first step in a cleansing regime. Caffeine, sugars, high
fatty foods such as cheese and meat, cooked fats, and alcohol are
the main foods to watch out for at this time. Eat very simple foods
such as steamed vegetables, watery cooked grains, fresh juices and
drink lots of water. Additionally, the bowel needs to be functioning
really well to release the toxins the herbs will stimulate out of
the tissue. You may consider a laxative to get things moving, such
as cascara sagrada or any other herbal laxative blend in tea or
capsule form found in your health food store.
The liver is our internal laboratory which, when healthy, renders
toxins neutral and causes them to flush from the body. Because of
the increase of environmental pollutants, drug use, and poor food
choices, this very important organ is overloaded and overworked.
Bitter and sour flavors activate the liver for better function,
so our herbal choices will include these tastes. There are many
herbs to choose from; however, you do not need anything exotic or
high dosages of herbs to have an effect. My favorites from our local
wild habitat include dandelion root (Taraxacum officinale),
burdock root (Arctium lappa), and yellow dock root (Rumex
sp.) The dandelion and yellow dock are very bitter, therefore
activating the bile flow in the liver and gall bladder and causing
a release of toxins. It is best to taste the bitter flavor on the
tongue, so I recommend either tea or liquid extract form of these
herbs. Dandelion root is an excellent cleanser for the skin, which
is our largest organ of elimination. As you clear the liver, the
skin becomes smooth and healthy. Any chronic skin condition needs
to be healed from the inside out. Interestingly, the skin can often
indicate the state the liver is in. Dandelion root is useful for
teenagers as there is some effect on those raging hormones as well
as calming acne. I’ve seen amazing results with this powerful, abundant,
common weed.
Burdock root cleanses and detoxifies not only the liver, but the
kidneys as well. The kidneys can get overworked trying to release
the toxins when the liver is overburdened, so burdock is useful
here to de-stress and heal both systems. It is a gentle diuretic
and is useful for premenstrual bloating. Burdock root can be bought
fresh and used in soups, juiced with your carrots, or made into
a tea. It is also available in liquid extract or dry form.
You can use the above mentioned herbs in equal parts as a tea.
In dry form, mix the three together and use one tablespoon per two
cups water, simmering for 15 minutes. Strain and drink about one
half cup at a time throughout the day. With any detoxification program,
it is best to start out slowly, such as 1 cup of tea a day, and
increase according to how you feel. The length and the strength
of the cleanse is best guided by a health care professional.
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) seed is also another favorite
herb of mine which not only cleanses, but protects the liver against
storing toxins. It is very rich in anti-oxidant nutrients and essential
fatty acids. This wild weed can actually regenerate liver tissue
where there has been damage! Hepatitis, liver disease, alcohol consumption,
and exposure to even the strongest chemicals can be mended with
this powerful herb. Used on a regular basis, it builds the protective
levels in the liver.
There are several points of note about milk thistle seed. It does
not grow on the east coast, so you will not find it in the wild
here. Milk thistle seed contains many fatty acids which are not
water soluble, so making a tea is not effective. You need to purchase
it either in capsule or liquid extract form for best results. Follow
the directions on the bottle or consult an herbalist in your area
as to appropriate dosage.
So let’s move full speed ahead into the summer with a new zest
for life, ourselves, and our livers! Take a positive healthy approach
to activate the healer within and to feel good..... really, really
good!
Peggy Ellis is an Herbalist who teaches at the North Carolina
School of Natural Healing in Asheville, North Carolina. She can
be reached at (828)252-7096.
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