4 Medicinal Plants That Help Detoxify The Liver
Due to their diuretic properties, the following plants would not only help to eliminate retained fluids through urine and possible pathogens lodged in the renal system, they could also contribute to liver detoxification.
The detox current indicates that it is possible to detoxify the liver with medicinal plants. Do you know what these silvers are and how to prepare them to take advantage of their benefits?
The liver is one of the vital organs of the body as it is responsible for such essential functions as the filtration of toxins, the production of hormones and proteins, and the control of glycemia. This organ is one of the largest in the human body, with a size compared to that of a soccer ball and weighing between 1.5 and 2 kilograms when they reach adulthood.
At any stage, it is estimated to contain about 10% of the whole blood of the entire body and pumps about 1.4 liters per minute.
Although the liver is capable of detoxifying (or rather, purifying) on its own, today there are those who believe that they should support its functions through the consumption of natural beverages. They generally do it as a complement to a healthy lifestyle.
In addition to hydrating, stimulating urination and providing us with a certain feeling of well-being, hot drinks (teas and infusions) can help us lead a healthy lifestyle.
Here are the 4 medicinal plants that, according to popular beliefs, can help detoxify the liver.
1. Milk thistle to detoxify the liver
According to popular wisdom, milk thistle is one of the most effective plants for detoxifying the liver and at the same time improving kidney health. When consumed as an infusion, milk thistle would help relieve inflammation of the liver (if any) and contribute to the elimination of retained fluids through urine.
As if that were not enough, it is believed to reduce the negative impact caused by drugs, alcohol and other harmful substances that attack the liver directly.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of milk thistle fruits (10 g).
- 1 cup of water (250 ml).
Preparation
- To start, crush the milk thistle fruits in a mortar.
- Bring the cup of water to a boil and, before it reaches a boil, add the ground milk thistle and lower the heat to cook for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Strain the liquid and consume it at most twice a day.
2. Asparagus
As asparagus is thought to contain an antioxidant known as glutathione, which improves the breakdown of alcohol and synthetic substances in certain medications, these foods may help detoxify the liver. As explained by the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation of Peru.
Ingredients
- ½ liter of water.
- 30 grams of asparagus.
Preparation
- Bring ½ liter of water to boil with the 30 grams of asparagus. Once they come to a boil, let them simmer for 3 minutes and strain.
- Consume the infusion up to 3 times a day.
Discover: 6 reasons to eat asparagus and how to cook it
3. Dandelion, an herb to detoxify the liver
Dandelion tea may also help detoxify the liver and improve the overall health of the kidney system.
According to studies by the Catholic University of Cuenca, dandelion is a powerful liver protector thanks to its ability to increase bile production, causing the gallbladder to contract, releasing accumulated bile and high choline content, acting as a tonic. for the liver.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of dandelion (20 g).
- 1 cup of water (250 ml).
Preparation
- Bring a cup of water to a boil and, before it boils, add the dandelion and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Strain the liquid and drink up to 3 infusions a day.
4. Chard
Like other green vegetables, chard contains antioxidants and nutrients that support cleansing of the body. It contains vitamin A and C, and minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, and iodine.
Chard has numerous medicinal and nutritional applications, as it is emollient, refreshing, digestive, diuretic, diaphoretic and nutritious. Due to its antioxidants and diuretic effect, chard can help cleanse the liver that is overloaded with toxins and also the kidneys.
Ingredients
- ½ liter of water.
- 30 grams of chard.
Preparation
- Boil ½ liter of water with 30 grams of chard, leave it over low heat for about 5 minutes and, after that time, strain and consume the liquid.
- Drink up to 3 times a day.
What else should you know about detoxifying the liver?
In order to keep your liver healthy, you must support yourself in good life habits and not only in the consumption of the foods and drinks that we have mentioned. If anything, these would be complementary options, not a treatment itself.
If you have any liver disease or simply have concerns about the health of your liver, ask your doctor what you should improve in your lifestyle to gain health.
