TOP 5 HERBS FOR A HEALTHY LIVER

The liver is the largest glandular organ in the body and it helps purify toxins and harmful substances from the body. The liver secretes bile, a chemical that digests fats. Bile’s salts break up fat into smaller pieces so it can be absorbed more easily in the small intestine.

In addition to producing bile, the liver:

• Detoxifies the blood to remove harmful substances such as alcohol and drugs
• Stores some vitamins and iron
• Stores the sugar glucose
• Converts stored sugar to functional sugar when the body’s sugar (glucose) levels fall below normal
• Breaks down hemoglobin as well as insulin and other hormones
• Converts ammonia to urea, which is vital in metabolism
• Destroys old red blood cells (called RBC’s)

TOP 5 AYURVEDIC HERBS FOR LIVER HEALTH

Though liver is such an important organ, but it is subject a lot of abuse from factors such as environmental toxins, pain killer abuse.  If you are overweight, drink heavily, suffer from diabetes or have high levels of triglycerides, you are putting your liver health at risk.

MILK THISTLE

Milk thistle is the best herb for a healthy liver. It has been used for thousands of years to support liver health. It contains the flavonoid silymarin, which is thought to be responsible for many of its beneficial effects, including liver protection and antioxidant, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Silymarin, its active component, is actually a group of compounds (silibinin, silidianin, and silicristin), which work together to provide multiple health benefits.

HOW DOES SILYMARIN PROTECT YOUR LIVER? 

Silymarin prevents tissue scarring, and it’s thought to act as as a “toxin blockade agent” by inhibiting the binding of toxins to liver cell membrane receptors.

Not only is silymarin used to treat alcoholic liver disease, acute and chronic viral hepatitis, and toxin-induced liver diseases, but in experimental studies, this powerful compound has been shown to reduce liver injury caused by a number of drugs and environmental toxins.

Silymarin is a good herb for treating fatty liver. Fatty liver is a result of a buildup of fat in liver cells. Usually, obesity causes fatty liver, but it may result from diabetes or high serum triglycerides as well as alcohol abuse, rapid weight loss, and malnutrition.

Long-term use of steroids can also cause fatty liver.

BHRINGRAJ

Bhringraj, botanical name Eclipta Alba is an important Ayurveda herb. it is widely used in hair fall treatment, liver disorders, skin diseases etc. This herb supports healthy liver, as it protects the liver from toxic substances and is used in the treatment of hepatic disorders.

BHUMYAMLAKI

Bhumyamlaki (Phyllanthus niruri) is a well-known hepatoprotective herb provided by nature. Bitter in taste and with cooling, soothing and cleansing properties, it acts to cleanse, detoxify and strengthen the liver.

Bhumyamalaki also supports healthy functioning of the gallbladder and promotes healthy skin.  Bhumyamlaki pacifies pitta and kapha dosha, acts as a diuretic, protects the liver, detoxifies liver toxins and improves metabolism.

SHARPUNKHA

Sharpunkha is a well-known Ayurvedic herb, which is used in the treatment of liver cirrhosis. This herb is very beneficial to maintain the healthy hemoglobin levels in body. In Ayurveda sarapunkha has been identified as the fruitful herb for liver health. Besides this herb is good for digestive system and also helps to manage the digestive disorders.

  CHICORY

Chicory root has a long history of providing support to liver problems. Ancient Romans used the herb to help cleanse the blood. Egyptians were known to consume chicory root in large amounts to help purify the liver and the blood. In addition to its beneficial antioxidant effect, chicory root provides functional support to the liver.

Incorporate these herbs in your diet, so that your liver remains healthy. You also need to make a few changes in your lifestyle, like stress less, reduce your alcohol intake, exercise more and get at least 7-8 hours of shut-eye. Drink pure, filtered water and freshly cooked food. Your liver works quite hard and you must take good care of it to stay healthy.