Liver Cleansing Herbal Program

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Liver Cleansing Herbal Program

 

 

By Geoff D'Arcy, Lic.Ac.,D.O.M.

 

We presently inhale, ingest and absorb more toxins, chemicals, and

disease-causing foods than ever in the history of humankind! We come in contact

with pesticides every day through the food we eat, the water we drink and the

air we breathe.

 

These substances enter our bodies through the skin, lungs, mouth and eyes. It is

now more important than ever for our elimination and detoxification systems to

be in top form. Of the five organs of elimination and detoxification (the colon,

kidneys, liver, lungs and skin), the liver is the most important for

detoxification. It has the astounding ability to process and breakdown natural

and synthetic toxic compounds, and prepare them for elimination from our bodies.

 

If the body cannot eliminate the toxins, they tend to be stored in body fat and

accumulate over time. Most Americans are subjected to 14 pounds of food

additives, colorings, flavorings, pesticides, herbicides, anti-microbials, and

now, GMO toxins per year.

 

70,000 chemicals are commonly used in pesticides, foods and drugs (according to

Elizabeth Lipski, M.S., C.C.N., Digestive Wellness) some of these chemicals can

have a serious negative impact on our health, as well as cause neurological and

psychological damage. Amazingly, less than 7% of chemicals used in high volume

are thoroughly studied! We are surrounded by toxins

 

The external toxic environment.

 

WATER. Significant portions of our groundwater and surface water are now

contaminated with pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and fertilizers, as well as

their metabolites. These contaminants find their way into groundwater, wells,

cisterns, and reservoirs, eventually coming out in home faucets.

 

A 1995 study tested tap water for weed killers in cities across the U.S. corn

belt and showed that major agricultural weed killers are routinely found in tap

water at levels that exceed federal health standards.

 

AIR. The Environmental Working Group performed independent air monitoring in

eight California counties and found that toxic pesticides routinely drift from

farm fields into surrounding neighborhoods and schoolyards.

 

 

INDOORS. The EPA has ranked indoor air pollution among the top five

environmental risks to public health. According to the EPA, indoor air levels of

many pollutants may be 2-5 times, and sometimes more than 100 times, higher than

outdoor levels. A 1990 EPA study detected 32 different pesticides in air samples

taken inside and outside homes.

 

Indoor air had much higher concentrations. They estimated that 85% of the total

daily exposure to airborne pesticides come from breathing air inside the home.

Most products used in homes contain either organophosphate or carbonate

pesticides which are acute nervous system toxins. For a great website tracking

these toxins, go to http://www.purefood.org/toxiclink.html.

 

The Internal Toxic Environment

 

The liver protects our body by filtering over one liter of blood a minute and

produces up to one quart of bile a day. It metabolizes internal wastes such as

harmful bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites, while breaking down our hormones

such as testosterone and estrogen, preventing build ups, that could lead to PMS

or mood swings, and other hormonal imbalances.

 

The toxins processed by the liver are excreted by the lungs, kidneys and through

bile into the gall bladder and out through the intestines. So it makes sense to

give your liver and gall bladder a little help from time to time. This is

especially important for patients who suffer constipation as they are

re-circulating wastes through their systems.

 

Is your Liver Toxic or Sluggish?

 

A toxic or sluggish liver can be the causative factor in a wide range of

ailments.

 

Common symptoms include:

 

Eye problems, with the eyes becoming sore, gritty and easily tired

Low energy, with general listlessness

Nausea, bloating and wind

Bowel disturbances

Chronic weight gain can be caused by having trouble digesting fats

PMS, hormonal imbalances and menstrual irregularities

Depression

Headaches, Migraines

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Confusion

Impaired nervous function

Respiratory Allergies

Increased Risk of Cancer

Some substances limit the liver’s ability to detoxify and are suspected in toxic

reactions involved in immune dysfunction, which can cause:

 

Allergies

Inflammatory States

Swollen Glands

Recurrent Infections

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Fibromyalgia or Auto-Immune diseases.

 

 

Some of the more common autoimmune diseases are Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

(SLE), Sclerosing Cholangitis, Primary Biliary Cirrhosis, Hashimoto's

thyroiditis, Vasculitis and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

 

 

Clean that Filter!!

 

If the filtering and/or detoxification system within our livers is overloaded or

inefficient, this will cause toxins, dead cells and micro-organisms to build up

in our blood stream. This will then increase the workload of our immune systems,

which will become overloaded and irritated. Our immune system will then produce

excessive inflammatory chemicals, and in some cases, auto antibodies, because it

is in a hyper-stimulated state. We should be motivated to cleanse our livers at

least once a year, as we do not want these dangerous substances building up in

the blood stream and moving to deeper levels in our bodies.

 

A SIX-WEEK HERBAL CLEANSING PROTOCOL:

 

WEEKS ONE AND TWO: Herbs for parasite cleansing.

WORMWOOD BLEND FORMULA:

 

Caution: Not to be taken during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. This formula

should not be taken for more than two weeks. Keep away from children. Seek

medical advice and testing if you suspect that parasites persist as they can be

difficult to pick up in tests.

 

Parasites are are not limited to Third World countries. Improper cooking of meat

at home (usually on the grill), in restaurants as well as travel abroad are

oft-cited reasons for contracting intestinal bugs.

 

A recent study at a hospital in an affluent New Jersey community found that 70%

of those randomly tested harbored some kind of parasite. In fact, the

5,200-year-old mummified body of a man found in the Alps revealed eggs of a

parasite; it was further revealed that he was carrying herbs identified today as

anti-parasitic.

 

Both Chinese and Western herbalism have grappled with parasite problems for

thousands of years. Different herbs have been found to expel or eliminate

different parasites. Used to clear and cleanse the intestines. My wife and I

begin our Spring Cleansing Program with two weeks of these herbs as a preventive

measure. They are safe and effective for short-term use.

 

Gentian root, Gentiana lutea gentian root, helps stimulate circulation,

strengthen the system, and strengthen the muscles of the digestive organs help

the absorption of the other herbs. Melia root bark, Melia Azedarach or M.

toosendan is noted in TCM to especially target roundworms; research has

identified toosendanin as its effective ingredient. Contraindicated where

gastric ulcers are present. , over thousands of years of Chinese usage of Areca

seeds, Areca catechu, have shown this herb especially effective against

tapeworms, intestinal parasites such as fasciolopsis, pinworms, roundworms and

blood flukes. Its energetic helps to drain the downwards useful for expelling.

 

 

 

WEEKS THREE AND FOUR: Herbs to stimulate gall bladder and liver cleansing.

 

BROCCOLI SPROUTS:

 

Sulforaphane glucosinolate (SGS) is the compound found in broccoli which has far

greater concentrations in the broccoli sprouts. These compounds increase the

body's own defense system against carcinogens and increases the bodies and the

livers detoxification. The detoxification of carcinogens and other toxic

substances takes place in the liver, and involves two distinct enzyme driven

processes or phases.

 

Phase One enzymes neutralize toxins by various routes. Some of these convert

toxins into substances that are immediately eliminated. However, other Phase One

steps convert toxins into intermediate products which are carcinogenic

themselves, and require further treatment before they can be excreted. Phase Two

enzymes do this vital job. Phase Two enzymes deactivate these carcinogenic

metabolites of Phase One, and the final breakdown product is then eliminated

once and for all. Cells in the body contain a family of detoxification enzymes

(Phase 2 enzymes) that neutralize cancer-causing chemicals as well as free

radicals before they damage DNA and initiate cancer.

 

According to studies by Dr. Paul Talalay and his colleagues at Johns Hopkins

University School of Medicine, sulforaphane enhances the cancer-protective

capacity of animal cells.

 

Sulforaphane induces Phase 2 (detoxification) enzymes, which are the enzymes

that help to deactivate carcinogens and free radicals, thereby enhancing the

body's own defense system against cancer-causing chemicals.

 

In animal studies, sulforaphane blocked tumor development, reducing incidence,

multiplicity, and size of carcinogen-induced mammary tumors. (See Broccoli

sprouts: An exceptionally rich source of inducers of enzymes that protect

against chemical carcinogens.)

 

" Three-day-old broccoli sprouts consistently contain 20 to 50 times the amount

of chemo-protective compounds found in mature broccoli heads, and may offer a

simple, dietary means of chemically reducing cancer risk, " says Paul Talalay,

M.D.

 

In general, Brassica family plants such as broccoli are rich in sulforaphane in

its glucosinolate precursor form. Unfortunatly, broccoli must be eaten in large

quantities to substantially reduce the risk of cancer. Because of the Johns

Hopkins research they were able to identify that broccoli varies in sulforaphane

content, and that certain varieties of young broccoli sprouts, grown under

standardized conditions, contain large, uniform quantities of the compound.

 

MILK THISTLE

 

Milk thistle has been used for hundreds of years in Europe to promote liver

health and positive mental attitude. The first written references can be traced

to the Roman physician, Pliny the Elder, (23-93 A.D.), who noted that milk

thistle’s juice was excellent for carrying off bile. Culpepper, (1616-1654

A.D.), used it to remove obstructions of the liver and spleen and protect

against jaundice.

 

Modern German research into this herb now concentrates on flavanoligans, a group

of compounds that are collectively referred to as silymarin. It is this

substance within milk thistle seeds that has been found to be highly protective

of the liver, supporting its functions and preventing damage from compounds that

are highly toxic. For example, severe liver damage from a poisonous mushroom may

be prevented if silymarin is ingested within the forty-eight hours prior to

eating the mushroom.

 

This protective action is thought to come from the powerful antioxidant activity

(ten times greater than vitamin E) that prevents certain toxins from entering

liver cells, while actually stimulating regeneration of damaged cells.

 

Pliny the Elder, once claimed and it now seems confirmed through scientific

research, that milk thistle helps prevent and treat gallstones through its

ability to increase the solubility of the bile and lower biliary cholesterol.

 

 

Dandelion and barberry root stimulate bile secretions, cleansing the gall

bladder. Recent studies of schizandra berries have demonstrated an ability to

help liver cells regenerate.

 

Blessed thistle clears inflammation, removes stagnant ‘qi’ energy and

congestions from the liver, and promotes bile production and digestion. Gentian

is the European digestive aid, it is cooling and stimulates secretions.

 

Cleansing herbs have been defined as ‘blood purifiers’, herbs that facilitate

and support the elimination of wastes from the blood through the skin, kidney,

and bowels. Dandelion is a great cleansing herb that supports liver function (as

does blessed thistle), stimulating bile production and flow.

 

Dandelion root opens up perspiration and is a wonderful diuretic; both

dandelion and blessed thistle help excrete wastes. The yellow-flowered weed is

the only diuretic that actually helps replace potassium, often depleted by all

other diuretics, herbal and pharmaceutical.

 

WEEKS FIVE AND SIX:

 

Specific herbs to support the immunity and regeneration of the gall bladder and

liver.

 

 

 

Minor Bupleurum with Milk Thistle, Schisandra and Andrographis Paniculata

rejuvenate and protect the liver. This is the cornerstone of the Gall

Bladder/Liver Cleanse Program. Its value to the long term health of the liver,

and thus for the overall health of the liver, cannot be overstated. It can be

taken for long periods of time.

 

First formulated in 300 B.C., the usefulness of the Minor Bupleurum, or Xiao

Chai Hu Tang , formula in hepatitis treatment has been confirmed by dozens of

studies in Japan. One study states “over 90% of chronic hepatitis patients [in

Japan] take this formula”. In another, it was estimated that 1.5 million

hepatitis patients in Japan take this formula.

 

Studies show the effectiveness of Minor Bupleurum at nearly every stage of

infection, to hinder and even stop the progression of the hepatitis viruses who

already have liver damage. Minor Bupleurum, has demonstrated the ability to

improve levels of interleukin-1, a compound which acts to improve the immunity

of the liver.

 

Japanese researchers have identified steroid-like ingredients, saikosaponins,

that enhance the activity of cortisone and prevent adrenal atrophy. Bupleurum,

the main herb, also displays non-steroidal anti-inflammatory activity and has

been shown to potentiate prednisone.

 

Andrographis, Andrographis paniculata, acts by blocking an enzyme known as

reverse transcriptase, which the virus uses to translate its genetic information

in order to replicate. Acclaimed for its ability to help the liver regenerate

itself, it has the added benefit of hindering viral replication by altering

cell-to-cell transmissions.

 

The ingredient andrographide is suspected of destroying the virus’

communication mechanism by modifying cellular signal transmission.

 

Schisandra, Fructus schizandrae, has demonstrated great promise in liver

protection against viral hepatitis as well as toxic chemicals, even when

activated into a poison in the liver, such as with carbon tetrachloride. There

are no toxic reactions reported even at huge dosages.

 

Schizandra is a well-known Chinese herb, widely used in ancient China. During

recent decades, it has been found to be effective in viral and chemically

induced hepatitis and in the repair of injured liver cells.

 

Dietary Guidelines for Liver and Gall Bladder Detoxification.

 

Plenty of organic, unrefined, unprocessed foods

 

Fresh whole organic foods. Fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains and unrefined

carbohydrates should make up the majority of the diet.

 

Avoid red meats, animal fats, sugars, refined white flour / pastas, and

processed foods. Avoid caffeine, other stimulants and alcohol.

No hot, spicy, greasy, fatty, oily or fried foods.

 

Drink plenty of bottled spring water or fresh squeezed diluted juice,

at least two liters per day.

A minimum of one daily serving of cruciferous vegetables and at least five

servings of fresh fruit should be included in the daily diet.

 

Protein can be obtained from lentils, non-gmo soy, beans, nuts, seeds, cold

water fish and free range/organic chicken.

_________________

 

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjoguest

DietaryTipsForHBP

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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