While Ayurveda advises certain powerful herbs for naturally cleansing the body, several plants improve liver function, such as milk thistle (a mainstay in Mediterranean diets). Here are four herbs & 1 supplement that can help you improve the function of your liver.
Turmeric
Turmeric is sometimes known as ‘Indian saffron.’ Curcumin, found in the brilliant yellow Curcuma longa or turmeric, aids in the prevention of oxidative stress, which is linked to liver disease. In addition, Curcumin is a free-radical scavenger, meaning it effectively eliminates damaging free radicals from our bodies. Its effectiveness in preventing liver fibrosis has also been demonstrated in studies.
How to Consume
- Paste/Powder: Take a little piece of raw turmeric and rub it between your fingers. Make a paste with it after peeling it. You can use this to flavour any curry you like. It’s also a good addition to a veggie soup.
- Golden latte: Make a golden latte by mixing half a teaspoon of turmeric powder into a glass of milk and drinking it before bed. You might also add a teaspoon of ghee and a pinch of powdered ginger. This soothing beverage also aids in sleep.
- Turmeric juice is widely available these days. Every morning, dilute 30 ml of the juice in water and drink it on an empty stomach.
Precautions
- Turmeric promotes stomach acid secretion, which may be beneficial for some but may create digestive problems in others.
- If you already have stomach problems, be cautious. Turmeric is a blood thinner; therefore, don’t eat too much turmeric if you’re on blood thinners.
- Turmeric should not be consumed in big amounts by pregnant women since it promotes contractions.
Amala
Amalaki, commonly known as the Indian gooseberry, is an ayurvedic herb high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory (shodhganga). It remove toxins from the body and protects the liver from oxidative stress. Studies have demonstrated Amla to reduce the hepatotoxic effects of drugs such as paracetamol, ethanol, and iron overload.
How to Consume
- Raw: The amla fruit can be consumed raw. Cut the amla fruit into small pieces and season with rock salt before eating a few pieces.
- Amla juice is widely accessible at grocery shops and on the internet. Every morning, drink 20 mL of amla juice mixed with water.
- Powder: Take 1 teaspoon of amla powder with 1 teaspoon of honey first thing in the morning.
Precautions
- Because Amla reduces blood sugar, diabetic people who are currently taking medication should be cautious when consuming it.
- Since it also increases the risk of bleeding, Amla is not indicated before or after surgery.
Aloe Vera Ghee
Aloe vera ghee by Earthomaya has a lot of health benefits, including maintaining the health of your liver. When it comes to detoxification, liver function is important, and in order for it to perform optimally, our bodies must be properly hydrated and nourished. Aloe vera ghee can help with this. It nourishes our bodies and contains phytonutrients that aid in the improvement of liver function.
Aloe vera ghee cleanses the liver of toxins (hepatotoxicity) and encourages regular bowel movements. In addition, Aloe vera soothes the digestive system, fights stress, and boosts the immune system.
How to Consume
- Warm a small amount of ghee, about 1-2 tablespoons, and eat it on an empty stomach first thing in the morning.
- It can also be eaten as part of a regular meal.
- The best method to take it is as a supplement, taken when you aren’t eating.
Precautions
- Pregnant or lactating women should not take herbal supplements without first seeing their doctor.
Licorice (Madhuyashti/Mulethi)
Licorice’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects are particularly helpful against alcohol-induced liver damage in studies. In addition, a study found that licorice medication was effective in preventing the effects of alcohol, such as increased triglyceride levels and fat accumulation.
How to Consume
- Tea: If mulethi root is readily accessible, make a tea by boiling a few pieces in water with grated ginger. Allow to cool for a few minutes after simmering for a few minutes, then add honey to taste. Enjoy this cup of mulethi tea while it’s still warm!
- Powder: To make mulethi powder, dry the roots in the sun for a week to remove the moisture. In a grinder, ground the dried mulethi roots. This powder can be stored. 1 to 3 grammes of this powder can be mixed with honey and warm water and consumed once a day.
- Mix 1 teaspoon licorice powder with 1/2 cup milk and 2 cups water to make yastimadhuksheerapaka. Bring it to a boil, then reduce it to half a cup. Remove from heat, filter, and drink first thing in the morning before eating. For the duration of this preparation, visit an ayurvedic practitioner; do not take it without first consulting one.
Precautions
- Mulethi might cause adverse reactions in allergic people to legumes; therefore, they should be cautious.
- Mulethi can impact the body’s sodium and potassium balance; thus, following an ayurvedic physician’s dosage recommendations is important.
Ginger
Obesity and insulin resistance are frequently linked to liver disease. Ginger is an antioxidant, hypolipidemic (lowers lipids or fat levels in the blood), insulin-sensitizer, and insulin-resistance reducer. Treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease relies heavily on lifestyle modifications, and ginger use can boost the effectiveness of those changes. In research, those who took 2 grams of the ginger supplement daily and other lifestyle changes saw a reduction in many inflammation indicators.
How to Consume
- Fresh ginger in recipes: Fresh ginger paste or chopped ginger can flavour curries in modest amounts.
- Tea: Toss in some freshly grated or ground ginger into your regular cup of tea. Simply add a pinch when the water comes to a boil, wait a few minutes, drain, and eat.
- Biscuits and cookies: If you prefer to create your cookies, you should add grated ginger to the mixture before baking.
- Capsules: If you can’t get your hands on fresh ginger, you can take ginger capsule pills instead. Consult your doctor first, and then take the medication as directed.
Precautions
- Ginger is safe to ingest in modest doses (less than 4 grams per day), but if you have any concerns, especially if you are pregnant, seek medical advice.
- If you have gallstones, avoid ginger because it enhances the gallbladder’s action and can exacerbate the symptoms.
- It’s also not a good idea for people with bleeding problems or ulcers.
- If you’re taking diabetes medicine, stay away from ginger.