Functional Liver Health

Functional Medicine
Functional medicine differs from traditional medicine in that it looks closely at the functioning of various organs and bodily systems, and how they impact each other. The liver is a main component of this, as a healthy, functioning liver is critical for many important bodily functions, including: creating glucose, enzymes, and hormones; breaking down fats; killing viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens; neutralizing toxins; synthesizing proteins; and storing immune cells and vitamins.

The Amazing Liver
The liver is the ultimate detoxification organ in our body. Everything we eat and drink is digested and travels to the liver first before entering our blood stream. Our liver produces enzymes and other chemicals that neutralize all the harmful and toxic substances in our food and water. A healthy liver contains millions of immune cells called macrophages which literally kill and eat parasites, bacteria, viruses, fungi, poisons, toxins, and chemicals they come in contact with. Our liver is the largest solid organ in our body, and it does more jobs than any other organ. In fact, science doesn’t even know all that it does.

Are you beginning to see why the liver is such an important organ? Medically speaking, any serious disease of the liver is usually considered terminal. Many herbalists and naturopaths claim that a person must first develop a malfunctioning or weak liver before getting cancer. Fortunately, there are many herbs that can strengthen the liver and help restore proper functioning.

A Liver Cleanse
In our toxic culture, everyone needs to cleanse their liver at least once a year. Spring is the best time to do this, as it is the natural time when the liver detoxes. Here are a few ways you can detox your liver:

• Liver Tincture: An easy way to clean the liver is to take the Herbs4You Liver Formula Tincture. For healthy people, one 2 oz. bottle is usually enough. Those with chronic health problems or those who have been exposed to chemicals should do a more thorough liver cleanse.
• Detox Tea:  A great tea that is a whole-body detox. Drink 2- 3 cups a day, 6 days a week, for at least 1 month.
• Liver Flush: There are different liver flushes that get stones out of the liver and really clean it out. Ask Amy for more information.
• Eat Your Greens: Spring is a time for greens, and greens help our liver. Some mild-tasting greens include nettle, spinach, lettuce, sorrel, yellow dock, violet leaves, alfalfa, wheat grass, and barley grass. These can be blended in with a fruit smoothie. Stronger tasting greens include kale, collards, dandelion, thistle, mustards, watercress, and nasturnums. These are good with a meal.

Keeping your liver healthy will benefit your whole body and help you avoid health problems. Our 2 oz. Liver Formula Tincture and Detox Tea are 20% off this month so you can get started on that Spring Cleaning! We also recommend scheduling a Botanical Medicine Consultation so we can address your health from a functional perspective. Call or email us to learn more!

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