Why do we have tendencies to sabotage ourselves and call it fun? In my first year of college, I remember seeing my hallmate (and weekend party friend) come out of his room wearing a t-shirt that said “The Liver is Evil…it must be punished” as we prepared to head out for another Saturday night on the town to blow off some steam from the previous week of classes and exams. We both obnoxiously laughed at the shirt while oblivious to the long-term consequences of that consciousness. So, on we went ready to bear the brunt of a morning hangover after another night of youthful debauchery. What’s funny to me now is how life teaches us the most valuable lessons through the consequences of our choices. One of the most important lessons is the value of taking care of ourselves physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. The human body is an incredible, divine temple through which we can experience the amazing journey of life, and by loving ourselves and maintaining healthy habits, we can maximize our experience and improve the quality (and quantity) of years that remain.
The liver is a major vital organ and has an impressively long list of important functions for the body. Working around the clock, the liver is responsible for detoxification by cleaning and filtering our blood (traveling twice through the liver before once through the heart), also for synthesizing proteins and bile acids, storing glycogen, lipid metabolism, along with storing and secreting hundreds of enzymes (in fact, we’re not even sure exactly HOW many enzymes) that regulate our complex metabolism. According to PubMed, approximately two million die of liver disease each year. Knowing this, we should be appreciative of our livers and do everything we can to support its natural detoxification process, reduce fatty buildup, consume healthy foods that are antioxidant, and use herbs that are anti-inflammatory. Let’s take a holistic look at the evidence-based things we can do to love the liver naturally.
Good liver foods include coffee (I recommend using the pour over method, drinking it black from an organic, fair-trade company). Coffee has been linked to numerous benefits for the liver, including helping to prevent fat building and reducing collagen accumulation. Green tea also has positive evidence (due to the presence of catechins) to help improve liver function and help prevent cancer. Citrus fruits are a wonderful addition to any diet (especially organic, freshly picked) as they are high in vitamin C and specifically grapefruit may help reduce liver inflammation and reduce damage. Try squeezing fresh lime juice over a sliced grapefruit in the morning or eat an orange with fresh squeezed lemon water for a healthy citrus combo! Another favorite for breakfast is oatmeal (preferably organic, steel cut) due to the fiber to aid digestion, support good gut health, and help eliminate toxins. And what goes great with oatmeal? Fresh berries! Blueberries and cranberries are high in antioxidants that may help protect the liver and improve functioning. For lunch, have a fresh salad with plenty of dark, leafy green vegetables. Spinach, kale, and collard greens are high in fiber and antioxidants that help the liver detoxify and support bile production. When selecting a salad dressing, use a good olive oil (add a squeeze of lemon juice for a healthy combo) as essential fats are well…essential for the liver. Things such as fatty fish, olive oil, avocados, and taking omega-3 fats provide key nutrients and help reduce inflammation naturally. If you really want to love your liver, then just go nuts! Walnuts and almonds (organic and raw preferably) are packed with healthy fats, antioxidants, and vitamin E.
Supplementing herbs with a healthy diet can further expand our love of our liver. According to research, silymarin, turmeric, berberine, artichoke, and dandelion have been shown to help liver functioning. Silymarin, from milk thistle, is renowned for its protective properties. Studies have shown that silymarin can improve liver function tests and reduce liver inflammation. Turmeric, with its active compound curcumin, shows significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and may help reduce fatty liver accumulation. In six randomized studies, berberine significantly reduced the liver enzymes ALT, LDL, total cholesterol and HbA1C in patients with fatty liver disease. Artichoke extract has been shown to enhance bile production and liver protection along with aiding digestion and detoxification. Dandelion root has been a traditional herb used for liver health and may help detoxification and improve functioning. As with taking any herbs, supplements or dietary changes, please consult a qualified health practitioner, especially if you’re taking medications or have any conditions that may be affected.
Another herb to consider is the castor bean. Please don’t eat one as they are very toxic and poisonous, but the oil from castor beans may be helpful and healing. According to Edgar Cayce, who is widely considered the father of holistic medicine, when castor oil is extracted (use cold-pressed, organic) and saturated into a natural cotton or wool flannel (no dyes or bleach) of two to three-fold thickness and applied to the abdomen (slightly over the right side to cover the liver area), then heated (use a heating pad on a layer a plastic over the saturated flannel cloth) until it’s comfortably hot for 1-3 hours. Even recommending this therapy to himself to “make applications of heavy castor oil packs over the liver, the gall duct, AND the colon” (294-190). To support the detoxification of castor oil packs, the readings would sometimes recommend 2-3 evenings of castor oil packs, followed by taking a tablespoon or two of olive oil internally on the last night. “As we find, castor oil packs over the liver would be helpful…After three days of castor oil packs, take at least two tablespoonsful of olive oil. If there is still the tendency for burning through the alimentary canal, have a salt and soda enema. This should be near to body temperature. Take this on the fourth day. Use the packs three days. Take the olive oil internally on the fourth day, and that afternoon, or the next day, have an enema. This will clear the system. Do that.” (286-11)
Cayce also recommended keeping the liver active through regular exercise, and also by having massage with peanut oil and osteopathic treatments. These treatments would “keep the liver active. This may be done best by the use of massage, or osteopathy to stir the liver” (274-17) In general peanut oil massage was recommended for a variety of conditions, but in particular, has a positive effect in “coordinating the general circulation between the liver and various organs in the system.” (630-3) Staying active and receiving regular massage with peanut oil may be a beneficial treatment to keep our livers healthy; however, if you’re allergic to peanuts, please avoid them (obviously) and substitute with olive oil. Of course, the most important exercise and remedies are always the ones we actually do, and enjoy doing, because taking care of ourselves goes beyond just caring of for the physical body.
According to Cayce, the liver (along with our entire physical body) is directly affected by our thoughts and emotions as “attitudes often influence the physical conditions of the body. No one can hate his neighbor and not have stomach or liver trouble.” (4021-1) Working with releasing negative emotions and clearing negative thought patterns about ourselves and others will help us to become happier and healthier. How we feel about ourselves directly affects how we treat ourselves. According to research, when it comes to creating a healthy liver, the healthiest lifestyle factors are limiting alcohol consumption, avoiding smoking, adopting a balanced diet, reducing sugar and refined carbohydrates, staying hydrated, increasing physical activity, managing weight, avoiding toxic exposure, and practicing stress reduction techniques such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises. By applying these simple techniques along with using foods, herbs, and a positive attitude we can love our livers to live better and longer!
Sources:
Edgar Cayce Readings. ARE Library. www.edgarcayce.org
Johns Hopkins Medicine. Liver: Anatomy and Functions. hopkinsmedicine.org/home/livergalbladderpancreas
Jones, Taylor MS, RD. 11 Foods that are good for your liver. Healthline.com. Updated Oct 30, 2023
Mancak M, Altinas D, Balaban Y, Caliskan U. Evidence-based herbal treatments in liver disease. PMID: 38283267. PubMed Central. Hepatol Forum. 2024 Jan 16;(1) 50-60.