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The liver is the main detoxifying organ of our body. Every day it struggles with hundreds of toxic substances from the environment, but also with the sins we commit on our own body. In order for our body to function well, we should give it a good helping hand at least once a year. Perhaps by putting it on a little stop sign, maybe even reverse gear, and embarking on a controlled detoxification.
"From a young age, we were taught to take care of our external cleanliness. We regularly wash our hands, hair and body of the impurities we come in contact with throughout the day. It's a given for us and we do it every day. But we have not been taught to keep our internal environment clean. However, given the way we eat and live in general, this is a topic that is more than relevant and necessary," says Lukáš Bulín, an expert in functional medicine and nutrition.
The key factor in detoxifying the body is a natural diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds and legumes. Increased intake of fibre, which cleanses the gut contents, is also essential for detoxification. Refined sugars, white bread, cold cuts, red meat, alcohol, various sweet, salty and fried snacks are inappropriate.
The amount of fluid intake should also be adjusted according to the season and temperature. When it rains or is wet and cold, it is sufficient to drink much less than in warm weather. Everyone should learn to think about how much fluid they should take in on a given day, depending on the weather and the type of food consumed (more liquid vs. thicker food).
As a rough guide, it is suggested that an adult male should drink at least 3 litres of water per day, while the average woman should drink 2.5 litres. However, these figures often vary. It very much depends on your weight and lifestyle as well as your level of sweating. It is understandable that the more you move, the more water you have to drink. Above all, however, you should always be guided by your needs and your body's reactions.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, the liver is a kind of "commander-in-chief" of our organism, from which intentions emanate. They perform many important functions in the body related to blood, Qi and body fluids. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the liver stores blood and controls the internal flow of the body.
Their function is to ensure the movement of energy, blood, nutrients and body fluids in the body.
They are associated with the element Wood and their system within the body includes the gallbladder, tendons and ligaments, nails and eyes.
The cardinal direction is East and the main season is Spring.
The detoxifying function of the Liver is quite irreplaceable. It breaks down all foreign substances that are injected into the body in any way, i.e. drugs, alcohol, drugs, poisons, as well as substances created in the body. Only the liver cells are equipped to break down and convert foreign compounds. Their main task is to convert substances into less toxic and more water-soluble ones, thus facilitating their excretion through bile, faeces and especially urine.
The importance of the proper functioning of the liver therefore needs no discussion. And it is their cleansing that tends to be the basis of any proper detox. Vegetables, for example, are a great way to cleanse the liver:
Any leafy vegetables (lettuce, spinach)
Root vegetables (carrots, celery, beets...)
Brassicas (cauliflower, kale, broccoli, cabbage - even fermented)
Onion (garlic, onions, leeks)
Artichokes
Dandelion and nettle leaves, rosemary and thyme, turmeric, nopal, flax and chia seeds, chlorella and many others are also great for liver cleansing.
Probably the most well-known herb for liver cleansing is milk thistle. It's a graceful plant, growing up to two metres tall, and looks like, well, a thistle. The popular name for this flower is "Christ's Crown" or "Mary's Thistle". Our ancestors used this herb to try to solve problems associated with the abdominal cavity. They used it to make liqueurs and tinctures to relieve the liver. And even earlier, in ancient Antiquity, people believed that milk thistle would even protect them from snake bites.
According to scientific evidence, milk thistle protects liver cells from harmful toxins and helps regenerate them. Due to the chemistry we are surrounded by, junk food, polluted air, etc., liver cells are clogged with unsplit organic substances that restrict intracellular circulation. This subsequently reduces the water content of the cells, which is very important for metabolism. The reduction in cellular water content is followed by problematic metabolism throughout the body, which puts the entire body under stress. Milk thistle contains substances that support the activity of liver enzymes and thus helps to protect the liver cells from these toxins.
An important component of milk thistle is the flavonolignane silymarin. It is most concentrated in the seeds, less in the leaves or root. Milk thistle is considered by contemporary Western medicine as an antioxidant whose action contributes to normal digestion and liver cleansing. It also helps to maintain normal blood sugar levels. It supports normal liver function. Likewise, it has an effect on the normal functioning of the heart. In addition, it also supports the body's natural defences and its overall resistance.
Quite simply, spring is coming and with it that beautiful moment when you let your liver rest for at least a few days. She'll pay you back - with health and peace of mind. And when does the body like to be healthy and well more than in spring?