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Herbal Corner
By Julene Tripp Weaver
The roles of the liver
The liver is known as the master chemist of the body and it is the second
largest organ in the body, after the skin. The liver weighs three pounds and
sits under the lower right rib cage. Liver chemistry is very complicated
with hundreds of functions; one of the main roles of the liver is its
assistance with the digestion of food, or the transformation of food into a
usable form. The liver breaks down, redirects, and stores fats,
carbohydrates, and proteins; it produces bile, synthesizes and regulates
cholesterol; it separates out and stores glucose to regulate blood sugar
levels; it breaks down amino acids and produces clotting factors; it
metabolizes fat soluble vitamins such as Vitamin A and stores Vitamins B12,
D, K, and iron. The liver helps create red and white blood cells, and
assists in the making of hormones.
Everything we eat passes through the liver. The portal system of veins
absorb nutrients from the intestine and all the products of digestion filter
through the liver. It detoxifies the many poisons of our standard American
diet. Regularily we put things in the liver, three to four times a day, year
after year, that the liver was never meant to deal with. On a daily basis
the liver processes molecules such as pesticides, herbicides, food
preservatives, food coloring, unnatural substances from chemical reactions
of air pollution, and any chemical medications. This includes exposure to
tobacco smoke. This daily onslaught overstresses this very important organ.
Declare a be kind to liver week, or month, or year, and only put things in
your body that the liver knows how to deal with. This means fresh, whole,
organically grown plant based foods.
The liver plays a major role in the blood and immune systems. As the main
detoxification organ of the body, three pints of blood filter through the
liver every minute. All nutrients, toxins, drugs or any substances that
enters the body, are transformed and detoxified as long as this organ is
functioning well. The excretion mechanism of the liver is a two phase
process. Phase one liver detoxification is oxidation, the liver oxidizes the
molecule that it needs to get rid of by stripping off extra electrons. Phase
two is excretion from the liver. The excretion process is where the changed
molecule is connected with a carrier molecule that makes it soluble into the
bile. Once it is soluble it blends into the bile and the fecal stream
carries it out of the body.
There are many conditions that interfere with either phase one or phase two.
And again, it has to do with the many abnormal molecules that are ingested
through diet, drink, and the air breathed. The liver can become sluggish and
overworked. So, there are natural substances that will enhance each phase of
detoxification.
The herb Milk Thistle seed, also known by its Latin name Silymarin, is an
enhancer of phase one oxidation, it steps up the enzymes in your system that
oxidize these foreign molecules to help detoxify. For phase two to work
correctly it is important that your diet contain vegetables that contain
sulfur. Sulfation is a major method of excretion. Sulfur based foods are
garlic, onions, or any of the cruciferous family vegetables such as cabbage,
kale, mustard greens, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, broccoli. All these
vegetables will help the liver excrete well and they are all associated with
lower cancer rates (particularly of the colon, rectum, stomach, and
possibly, prostate and bladder). Eat an ample amount of these, and drink
lots of water, to keep your liver flushed.
Since all prescription drugs pass through the liver for detoxification the
more drugs one is on the harder it is for the liver. When these drugs pass
through the liver cells die by the hundreds of thousands. The cumulative
effect of drug use on the liver can be devastating. If you are on a lot of
drugs it is a good idea to supplement with milk thistle seed. It has been
shown experimentally that the use of milk thistle prevents liver damage
caused by psychopharmacological drugs.
Milk Thistle as a Protectant and Liver Healer
Milk Thistle, Latin name: Silybum marianum
Milk Thistle is a thistle plant with milky white veins running through its
green leaves. It has a large purple flower head. It is in the same family as
artichokes which are also good for your liver. The seeds of the Milk Thistle
contain Silybum, a flavonol (1), which acts on the cell membranes to protect
the cells of the liver. Silybum acts as an antioxidant, an antioxidant is a
chemical that neutralizes toxins, inhibits oxidation, and maintains life
processes at optimun efficiency. Antioxidants are needed to oxidize the many
pollutants the liver filters in its phase one detoxification process.
Much scientific research has been done to prove this protectant and
regenerative action. In Germany Milk Thistle is prescribed by doctors to
treat alcoholic cirrhosis, hepatitis, jaundice, and any inflammation or
poisoning of the liver. It has been shown that Milk Thistle seed speeds
healing or regeneration at four times the normal rate. It is also known as a
tonic for the spleen, gall bladder and the upper intestine. Herbalist
Michael Moore suggests the use of milk thistle for treatment for chronic
liver problems such as rehabilitation from alcohol, or any drug use,
protection of liver cells from heavy metal, chemical, and alcohol injury,
limiting of fatty degeneration, for the speeding up of hepatitis recovery,
and the slowing or reversing of cirrhosis. It has a mild cholagogue effect,
meaning it promotes the flow of bile.
Milk thistle seeds are not soluble in water, so a tea is not the best way to
absorb the beneficial effects. Some herbalists suggest incorporating the
seeds right into the diet, they can be roasted or raw, ground up and added
to food. Tieroni Low Dog, a herbalist and MD in New Mexico who works with a
lot of HIV clients, recommends the use of a tablespoon a day sprinkled on
food. Small amounts can be ground in a coffee grinder, put it in a dark
glass jar and kept in the freezer between uses. Once ground it is important
to store it in the freezer because it contains essential fatty acids which
go rancid quickly once exposed to light and air.
There are standardized capsules that can be taken, the average daily dose is
12 to 15 grams which is the equilivant of 200 to 400 milligrams of
silymarin. Capsules usually come in 150 mg or 200 mg dosages. There are no
toxic effects reported and milk thistle is a safe additive to protect your
liver and to help the regeneration of liver cells. If using a standardized
80% silymarin extract in pill form, a normal dose would be three to six
capsules per day, taken with water before meals. If using a tincture of Milk
Thistle seeds use 20 drops into a cup of hot tea or hot water and drink
before meals, use up to four times a day. These doses help digestion and
work slowly over a period of weeks and months to assist metabolic activity
and stimulate the regenerative activity of the liver.
A final word on purchasing Milk Thistle seeds; it is important to purchase
either organic or wildcrafted seeds that have been grown in this country.
There is a large crop of Milk Thistle in Europe, but they have been
contaminated after the Chernobyl nuclear accident. Milk Thistle grows in
this part of the world and can be purchased at several local high quality
herb stores. They can be bought as loose seeds to be used as a food, or as a
tincture or in capsules. Buyer's clubs also carry the standardized pills.
(1) Flavonol - a strong antioxidant.
Disclaimer: Please be advised this is a sharing of information that is not
meant to be used to replace medical treatment and your own intuitive sense
of your body and what it needs. Please see your medical provider (Dr.,
Naturopath, Acupuncturist, etc.) to follow up on suggestions.