Nourish Your Body: Liver Cleanse

Written By Natalie Ham, ND

You will continue to avoid:

  • Processed sugar and processed/refined carbohydrates (pasta, crackers, cookies)

  • Caffeine

  • Alcohol

  • Dairy

  • Gluten and gluten containing grains (rye, spelt and wheat)

  • Soy

  • Processed fats/oils (margarine, butter spreads)

And begin to avoid:

  • Grains

  • Eggs

  • Meat

  • Some nuts and beans, except for dried garbanzo, adzuki and black beans that have been soaked for 24 hours and then cooked.

  • Some nuts, except walnuts and almonds, which are low in phytic acid.

During this time, also include a liver flushing cocktail every morning and a liver rejuvenating cocktail in the evening.
 

Liver Flushing Cocktail (drink in the morning)

  • 1 TBS of cold pressed flax oil

  • 1-2 cloves of garlic

  • ½ tsp fresh chopped or grated ginger

  • Juice of one lemon

  • 1 cup of fresh Orange, Apple or Grapefruit Juice

  • Dash of cayenne pepper

  • Water


Blend all the ingredient together and sip.  Try it at least once, (it's not as bad as it looks).  If this is version is a too much of a challenge, then you may substitute:

  • 2 TBS apple cider vinegar

  • 1 tsp of raw organic honey

  • Juice of 1 lemon

  • Water

Blend all ingredients together and sip.

 

Liver Rejuvenating Cocktail (drink in the evening)

  • 3-1 Inch pieces of fresh ginger

  • 3-1 Inch pieces of fresh turmeric root

  • 1 cinnamon stick

  • 1 chamomile tea bag

  • 6 cups of water

Place all the ingredients in a small pot and bring to a very gentle simmer.  Simmer for 5 minutes, remove from heat and let steep for 5 more minutes.  Strain into a sealable container.  Pour yourself 1 cup of your tea every night.  You can re-heat this or drink cold.


EVERY NIGHT, ROTATE A FEW OF THE FOLLOWING CLEANSING ACTIVITIES:

Castor oil packs: Saturate a flannel cloth with castor oil.  Place the cloth over your liver (your liver is on your right side under your breast).  Place a heating pad or hot water bottle on top of the cloth.  Leave on for 30-45 minutes.  This should be done while you are relaxed and sleepy, either before you go to bed or right when you wake up.

Epsom salt baths: Take an Epsom salt bath for at least 20 minutes with 2-3 cups of Epsom salt (you can include some of your favorite essential oils), followed by:

Skin brushing: Use a body brush (you can purchase at most health food stores) or loofah and brush the skin toward the center of the body.  Start with the neck and brush down.  Then go to the hands and brush towards the heart and include the under the armpits.  Finally brush up the legs, including the groin area upwards.

Skin Massage: Moisturize and massage your skin using organic coconut oil.  Massage the skin all over, paying special attention around any inflamed areas.  You can do this after a bath, or, if you do it before the bath, make sure to include your scalp in the message.

 

IF YOU RUN INTO ANY TROUBLE:
It is normal to feel foggy, tired, itchy, nauseous and irritable during the first few days of a cleanse.  However, if you are vomiting, have palpitations of the heart, visual changes or shortness of breath, please stop and call your doctor.   


Constipation: If you run into this issue, then add in the allowed whole grains, do an enema or take 4-6 grams of vitamin C to help move the bowels.  If you cannot move the bowels after this, then a colonic may be necessary.  Remember the goal of the cleanse is to reduce the body burden of toxins, constipation will increase your body burden.

 
Natalie Ham, ND
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