LOVING OUR LIVERS
by Traci Miller "Cheshire" The liver has many functions, from storing blood and vitamins, synthesizing cholesterol, detoxifying, to metabolizing hormones. There are also many other functions of the liver still unknown to researchers at this time. Sometimes, the liver gets overloaded or deficient, in turn, creating dis-ease in the body. There are ways to detoxify our livers back to healthy livers through the use of herbs, proper diet, exercise and cleansing. Did you know that the liver stores up to 1/3 the total blood in the body? One liter of blood is filtered through the liver each minute. The liver stores vitamin A, D, B12, and Iron in the form of ferritin. When iron levels are low, ferritin is converted and released into the blood, as in cases of anemia (iron deficiency). About 80 percent of cholesterol in the body is synthesized in the liver. The cholesterol is converted to bile salts, which is then secreted in the gall bladder. The liver is the body’s “detox center”. The liver eliminates toxins, such as pollutants, chemicals from the environment, alcohol, drugs (recreational and pharmaceuticals). The liver breaks down fat, proteins, and starch as well as metabolizes hormones. When the liver is deficient it can keep hormones circulating in the blood due to the lack of metabolizing the hormones. For many women, the birth control pill creates excess estrogen in the body. These high levels of estrogen can overload the liver and therefore, keep excess estrogen levels circulating in the body. What are some signs of liver deficiency? *Iron Deficiency – anemia and low B12 levels in the body *Acne– fat and hormone breakdown *Eczema/Psoriasis – fat and protein metabolism/integrity of cell membranes *Metabolic Problems – holding onto too much or not absorbing enough *Allergies – more reactive mucus membranes and reoccurring infections *Jaundice – yellow in the eyes *Auto-Immune Deficiency – high inflammatory compounds filtered by liver *Poor Fat and Protein metabolism – headaches, nausea, fatigue, liver pain *Anger – Heat in the liver *Constipation – deficient bile flow What are some ways to love my liver? *Herbs – dandelion root, burdock root, milk thistle, turmeric (to name a few) Aid the liver functions and ability. *Cheshire’s Herbals Liver Lover Tea Contains: milk thistle seed, dandelion leaf and root, burdock root, ginger root, licorice root, goji berries, pau d’arco bark, orange peel, schizandra berries, red clover leaf and blossom, and stevia leaf *Green Vegetables – high in iron, for ex: romane, kale, chard *Flax and Psyllium Seed – fiber pulls out excess cholesterol and toxins *Fresh Fruits – full of antioxidants, enzymes, and vitamins *Whole and Sprouted Foods – full of enzymes, amino acids, proteins *Healthy Fats – avocado, coconut, flax and olive oil, nuts *Smaller Amounts of Proteins per Serving– allow the liver time to metabolize proteins and fats *Lots of clean water – drink twice your body weight in ounces of water *Regular Exercise – getting the circulation going helps the blood carry more oxygen throughout the body and release of toxins. *Be Moderate to Absence with Harmful Substances Put into the Body Information used in this article was obtained from my school notes taken at the Northwest School for Botanical Studies Maui State University and personal practice Cheshire’s Herbals 808.214.0866 [email protected] www.cheshiresherbals.etsy.com www.cheshiresherbals.weebly.com instagram: @cheshires_herbals facebook: @cheshiresherbals Maui, Hawaii Sedona, AZ
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AuthorTraci Miller "Cheshire", owner of Cheshire’s Herbals since 1999, is a practicing herbalist, a medicine maker, aromatherapist, educator, mother, wife, sound and Reiki healer, and intuitive guide with a BS degree in Alternative Medicine. Categories |