We have heard about the various issues with glyphosate, insecticides, and pesticides. These harmful chemicals find there way into our food supply even if we eat organic. They can not be washed off, cooked, or baked away no amount of heat will kill them. However, there are things we can do to avoid the harmful effects they can cause on our bodies the digestive tract and our overall health.
Two weeks ago I had a naturopathic doctor,
Kami Dehler, on the podcast and the topic of glyphosate came up. She said if we tend our liver and keep it healthy we can avoid the harmful effects. I also asked her if by using the foot bath ionizer for detoxing if detoxing the liver and other was required, she said no. So, there is one more reason to use the foot bath ionizer for detoxing.
The Role of the Liver
The liver is a key player in our health and our digestive tract. One thing we must remember is 80% of our immune system is located in our digestive tract or our gut. Knowing this it is easy to see that our liver is an important player in our health.
Our liver is responsible for converting everything we eat, breath, and that is absorbed through our skin into substances which aid in sustaining us. The liver is important for our blood as it both forms and stores red blood cells. It also filters toxins from our blood at a quart per minute. In order to aid in keeping our immune response working at max the liver produces natural antihistamines.
The liver is important for digestion for without it the conversation of food into energy would be non-existent. While many organs are important for how the foods we eat are used and distributed, the liver is the most important. The function of the liver in the way of our food is to convert is especially important for fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. The bile secreted by the liver is important for the assimilation of food, along with ridding toxins from the gastrointestinal tract. Our blood flows straight into the intestinal tract of the liver where the liver tends to the various toxins in the food. This process is done before our blood goes into our bodies. This process is repeat as the blood goes through the liver again and again repeatedly cleansing the blood through the lymph system. This process continues until they are discharged through either the kidneys or bile from the liver.
Stress on the Liver
Due to the way we eat almost everyone suffers from a malfunctioning liver. This is due to our diets which are high in sugar, alcohol, fats and other foods which can contain preservatives, insecticides, pesticides, nitrates, and other toxins. When left unattended it becomes exhausted and no longer functions to detox the body the way it should. However, the liver is capable of rejuvenating it self and will continue to function even when cell damages has reached 80%. It is also capable of regenerating new cells under duress circumstances, but why would we want to tax our liver when we can support it for optimal health?
Detox
Detoxing the liver is not recommended as it is what naturally detoxes the body. However instead we want to support the liver so it continues to be healthy and function the way it was created to.
Support the Liver
There are various things we can do to support the liver and keep it functioning well and also relieve some of the burden it under goes. This is as easy as finding the right herbs, foods, essential oils, along with other natural remedies that fit are needs.
Herbs for Liver Support
- Milk Thistle
- Dandelion Leaf
- Yellow Dock
- Chicory
- Peppermint
Susan Weed has a
great article on the liver along the herbs listed above. Various sites showed other herbs, but upon more research they didn't make my list.
Crystals for Liver Support
- Epidote
- Malachite
- Emerald
- Dioptase
- Tourmaline
Be sure to cleanse crystals before using them this can be done through various methods. Some of the easiest and fastest ways are to let filtered water flow over them or use a sage smudging stick. Once they are cleansed they can be programmed for their purpose this is as easy as saying a prayer or speaking the intention out loud. I like to sit with new crystals and play with them in my hand while meditating on how I want to program them.
When using crystals for health it is important to cleanse them on a regular basis.
The Crystal Vault has a great
free e-book for cleaning and programming crystals.
Cleanse the Chakra for Liver Support
Our chakras play a role in our health and when they are blocked we may experience both emotional and health issues. Consider doing a charkra clearing meditation with a crystal over the third chakra which is the solar plexus. The color this chakra resonates with is yellow, so any yellow crystal will work. Crystals are very personal and I recommend purchasing one of your own. Choosing which crystal to use is easy just let your body guide you as it knows what it needs. The crystal you are attracted to is the one for you. It may be that you are attracted to more than one, go with it.
Essential Oils for Liver Support
- Rosemary
- Fennel
- Cypress
- Lemon
- Thyme
Essential oils should be used with precaution when taking them orally. Dilute the oil as stated below then rub a small amount on the wrist to see if you have an adverse reaction. If not rub it on the 3rd chakra, the area where the liver sits, or on a reflexology point on the bottom of the foot. I can not stress enough how we are all different and our bodies know what it needs, so if you feel lead to use the oil on all of the areas or just one or two listen to your body. You can also add a drop or 2 to a crystal being used to clear the 3rd chakra.
Using Essential Oils Externally
Mix 2 drops of oil with 4 drops of carrier oil cut in half for elderly and children. Do not use on children under 7 years of age.
Foods for Liver Support
One thing to remember is we want to create a liver that is healthy and capable of detoxing our bodies as it was created to do, so chose organic whenever possible.
- Almonds
- Oats
- Raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, blueberries
- Garlic, of course
- Grapefruit, do not eat if taken certain medications consult a health practitioner
- Beets
- Leafy green vegetables kale, spinach, dandelion, etc
- Green tea not the extract
- Avocado
- Cruciferous vegetables broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts, watercress
- Lemon water not lemonade
- Turmeric in my opinion everyone should use this on a daily basis
- Walnuts
- Carrots
- Apples
- Organic cold pressed oils like olive, hemp, and flax in moderation
- Quinoa
- Buckwheat spouted
- Lime
- Asparagus
- Sweet Potatoes
- Squash
- Lentil
- Onions
- Zucchini
- Artichoke
- Chickpeas
- Bone broth
- Fermentations
Tend to Your Gut Health
The liver is important for a healthy immune system. Remember that 80% of our immune system is located in our guts and consist of good gut bacteria. It is important to tend to the gut bacteria incorporating fermentations into your diet such as kombucha, yogurt, keifer, sauerkraut, etc.
Exercise to Support the Liver
Exercise is one of the most important things we can do not just for our liver, but for overall health. Find some type of cardiovascular workout to get the heart pumping blood through out the body including the liver. Make sure it is something you enjoy or you won't do it. Cardio is anything that gets the heart rate up and us moving it can be as easy as dancing around to your favorite music as long as it's not a slow dance.
When we engage in certain types of exercises that cause our mid-section to contract and relax it stimulates various organs including the liver. Exercises that utilize the mid-section stimulate and tone the liver allowing it to function at full capacity.
Disclaimer: I am not a professional health care professional this is for educational purposes always consult with a health care professional.
