Tips to Love Your Liver and Help Its Natural Detoxing

Spring is a natural time of refreshing and rejuvenating. In both Chinese and Ayurvedic (ancient Indian) medicine systems, there is a focus on detoxification this time of year. I think it’s important to note that detoxing is something that our body does on its own ALL THE TIME (thank you, body), and I don’t think that fad detox diets are helpful. They can actually be quite hard on the body. However, it can be helpful to offer support to our bodies and the organs that do so much to help our natural detoxing during this time of year.

The liver is an amazing organ that does so much to support our health. The liver regulates most chemical levels in the body, excretes bile to carry waste away and helps with fat digestion. All of the blood leaving the stomach and intestines passes through the liver. The liver processes this blood, creates nutrients, metabolizes drugs into forms that are easier for the body to use and clears the blood of toxins. The liver does more than 500 vital functions including production of certain proteins, production of cholesterol, conversion of excess glucose to glycogen, regulating blood clotting and much more.

In our current lifestyle and society, we are all exposed to numerous toxins through chemicals on our food, in our water, in the air, and in lotions and other things we absorb through our skin. While it’s not practical (or encouraged) to live in a bubble, I think it can be helpful to try to avoid toxins as much as you can. Reducing alcohol, trying to select organic (and preferably local) fruits and vegetables, and using more natural beauty and household products is a good place to start and will ease the burden placed on your liver.

Some body signs that might indicate your liver could use a little extra support are: acute sense of smell where perfumes and other smells bother you, you have a hard time digesting fats, low energy or a headache after meals or dark circles under the eyes or waking up between 1-4 a.m. or hot/cold sweating.

I’m currently taking a class and learning to support the liver through gentle touch. If you’re interested in a session, please reach out.

See this month’s bitter greens salad recipe for a liver-supportive meal.

Sources: Organs and The Vagus System class with Janet Evergreen and Johns Hopkins