The liver is one of the largest and most crucial organs in the body. It is involved in over 500 key bodily functions, and without one the average human would be unlikely to survive for more than 2 days. Among its many functions, the most integral roles of the liver involve converting nutrients into useful materials and removing toxic substances from our systems.
That last function is one to be very aware of, as the liver has to stand on its own against a wide range of toxic chemicals before they can cause harm to the body. Therefore, a poor diet can often lead to a less healthy liver that is overworked and can cease to perform correctly. To avoid this detoxing the liver with a healthy cleanse can be a great way to get the body in full working condition.
How to Cleanse the Liver
Cleansing the liver takes some motivation, but once you’ve started you’ll never regret it. Like many cleanses there are many options available, but typically the best route is a full 5-day juice fast. This fast doesn’t contain any specific juices, but we advise trying to fit in beneficial ingredients such as Beet Root and Lemon as shown in our recipe below.
While a full juice fast may be highly effective, it isn’t for everyone. So, if you want to start and end at an easier level try 2 days of eating only vegetables and fruits in solid form before and after the juice cleanse itself. Or if you’re not ready to go without solid foods at all try to have a full 5 day period with just fruits and vegetables combined with juices replacing certain meals.
Liver Boosting Juice Recipe
When starting a liver cleanse, it is important to drink juices that contain beneficial ingredients. For the liver 2 of the most useful ingredients are Beet Root and Lemon. As long as they are included then other ingredients can be selected for personal benefit and enjoyment. Here is a sample recipe that aids detoxification of liver while offering some other advantages.
- 1 Beet Root
- ½ of a Lemon
- 1 Carrot
- 1 Pear
- ½ of a Cucumber
- 1 inch of Ginger Root
The Beet Root in this recipe is the most important for the liver as it provides an excellent way to reduce the level of toxins stored. It is also good for preventing other digestive issues such as diarrhoea, jaundice and food poisoning. Beyond its digestive benefits, consuming Beet Root is also fantastic for cleansing blood. Its high iron content regenerates the haemoglobin in red blood cells, allowing them to carry oxygen from the lungs to the body more effectively.
Exercising While Cleansing
During a cleanse the will to exercise comes and goes with the wind. However, that is normal and it is best to only exercise when your body is letting you know it can handle it. Depending on the level of cleanse being carried out it is crucial to avoid pushing too hard and remember that the benefits of exercise can be diminished without enough protein in your diet, so we recommend only exercising for fun not for improvement while cleansing.
Other Helpful Options
A juice cleanse is always a good way to release toxins from the liver, but it is not the only option to improve your liver health. Castor oil is one other available option and it is easy to use and benefit from. Simply take a swab of oil with a cloth or some cotton wool and apply it gently over the liver on the skin. Then when the area is coated lay a warm cloth or hot water bottle over the top, to open up the pores in the skin for easy access into the body.
Massages are also a great way to help the liver, as it can be manipulated and relaxed from outside the body. Through an experienced masseuse, it is easy to calm the liver and flush out some of the toxins it has stored up. Doing so can lead to a large number of toxins in the body though, so be sure to keep fluid levels high before and after the massage.