Our livers are tough. They put up with a lot of stress and are tasked to cleanse our blood no matter how we test it.
It is vitally important and responsible for the filtration, cleaning and processing of toxins in the body. It also aids digestion, producing unique enzymes and bile acids to breakdown fat.
However, we destabilise our liver when it is exposed to excess toxins in our diet, and by chronic overload from physical and mental stress.
Miraculously, the liver is known to be able to regenerate itself, even from as small as 25% of its original size. So how do we protect our livers from damage and allow them regenerate healthily?
Here are some herbs and rituals to support a healthy functioning liver.
Rituals for Liver Health
- Low and No - heavy alcohol consumption raises liver protein levels in the blood. Our tip: drink mindfully and less frequently, have kombucha in a champagne flute instead!
- Morning rituals - Drink coffee: this magic bean has been shown to protect the liver in various epidemiological studies. Green tea is also beneficial and high in antioxidants.
- Lift and Shift - Both weighted exercise and aerobic exercise help to counter non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Whatever your preference make sure you are making moves at least 3 times a week.
- Keep it Complex - enjoy whole grains and a rich palette of colour on your plate. Try to avoid highly processed or deep-fried foods that require a high liver output.
Herbs for Liver Health
- Digestive bitters - the liver is awakened with pungent greens, particularly dandelion, burdock and artichoke. It's the way that or Belly Blessing helps to aid digestion.
- Garlic and Ginger - a culinary combo made in heaven. Crush these in a 2:1 ratio and add to any sauce/curry for a taste sensation that supports your liver health. Need a recipe? Check the Wunder Journal.
- Turmeric - studies have found that curcumin in turmeric will reduce inflammation and lower the burden of fat on the liver (source). Find a way to incorporate organic turmeric in your diet daily with a Golden Mylk or our single-origin turmeric powder.
- Milk Thistle - a hardy but beautiful flowering plant that resides in abundance in the Wunder Workshop garden. It is renowned for its hepatoprotective properties from both non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and liver cirrhosis.
If you are concerned about your liver health the best place to start is checking for dark urine or pale stools. Variance is natural, but consistently changed could be worth raising with your physician. You could also take a blood test to analyse the concentration of blood metabolites such as bilirubin to assess if your liver is under stress.
Enjoyed this article or have any questions? Please get in touch with our team hello@wunderworkshop.com