Top Herbs to Cleanse Your Liver

It’s the start of the new year, which is the perfect time to do a liver detox, don’t you think? Whether you spent the holidays drinking eggnog and eating lots of heavy food, or are simply ready to make some changes regarding the supplements you take to protect your liver health, we’ve got you covered.

Not many people know this, but there are plenty of herbs that you can use in your tea or meals to naturally detox your liver and improve your poor liver health. From milk thistle to ginseng, you can’t go wrong with going the natural route when it comes to liver detoxification.

In this article, we’ll be going over the best herbs to consume when it comes to cleansing your liver, so stick around!

The Importance of Liver Health

Liver conditions like cirrhosis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), alcoholic liver disease, liver cancer, liver failure, elevated liver enzymes, and hepatitis are quite common all over the world. Nearly 2 million people die from liver disease each year.

Factors like drinking too much alcohol, having high blood sugar, being overweight, having high blood pressure, getting sick with viruses, and having high levels of triglycerides and cholesterol can further increase the risk of liver disease.

Doctors treat liver disease in different ways. Usually, treatment will involve taking medicine, changing your diet (i.e. incorporating more medicinal plants), using immunotherapy, making lifestyle changes, doing surgery to remove part of the liver (if necessary), or even doing a liver transplant if the liver is failing.

Some people also try out alternative treatments, like taking herbal supplements to help protect their liver. About 65% of people in the United States and Europe who have liver diseases use herbal supplements, and here’s the kicker — they work!

If you’re concerned about your liver health (or simply feel like it’s time to do a liver detox), then you’ll definitely want to consider taking some or all of the herbs listed in this article. It’s a good idea to experiment with different herbs and see what works best for you personally.

The Best Herbs to Cleanse Your Liver

A lot of people aren’t aware of the fact that some of the herbs we’ll be talking about below have liver health benefits. Perhaps, you already incorporate some of these herbs into your cooking on a regular basis. Let’s take a closer look at the best herbs and herbal medicines for liver health below:

Milk Thistle

Milk thistle, also known as silymarin, is made up of a group of substances taken from the seeds of the milk thistle plant. These substances (silybin, silychristin, and silydianin) have been used for centuries, mainly for treating liver and bile duct problems. Research suggests that milk thistle might protect the liver by acting as an antioxidant. It may help liver cells grow back, and reduce inflammation.

It’s also been shown that taking milk thistle supplements could slow down liver disease, increase your lifespan if you suffer from alcoholic cirrhosis, and improve your overall quality of life if you have liver problems. With this said some studies suggest that milk thistle might not work better than placebo treatments. This shows that more research is needed to understand its effects fully.

Despite this uncertainty, milk thistle is generally considered safe, even when taken in large amounts, and doesn't seem to cause any harmful side effects. To incorporate milk thistle into your diet, you can try taking it in supplement form.

Revive’s Liver supplement, for example, contains milk thistle and acetylene cysteine (NAC). You can also roast milk thistle seeds and use them as a coffee substitute or mix milk thistle leaves into a salad.

Licorice

When we think of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), we often picture delicious chewy candy. You may not know this, but licorice is actually an herb that packs a major punch when it comes to its medicinal properties. Scientific studies have shown that licorice root has the ability to fight inflammation, combat viruses, and protect the liver from harm.

The key active ingredient found in licorice root is a compound called glycyrrhizin, which is widely used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine to address health issues — particularly liver-related health issues. Research suggests that using licorice extract as a treatment could be helpful for people with specific liver problems.

While these discoveries are exciting, further research will be needed to fully understand licorice's potential benefits. It's also worth noting that some people may have a heightened sensitivity to licorice and that consuming too much licorice could lead to problems like increased blood pressure and decreased potassium levels.

Turmeric

Turmeric, along with its key compound curcumin, has been proven to have several health benefits. It’s especially known for its effectiveness in fighting inflammation, and research shows that it may help to prevent cancer growth — especially in the liver. It’s no wonder that turmeric is a favorite among those who suffer from liver-related health issues.

Incorporating turmeric into your diet is easy. You can sprinkle it on your favorite dishes, like rice or roasted vegetables. Not only is it good for your health, but it’ll add some extra flavor to your meals, too! You can also brew yourself a cup of turmeric tea, or make golden milk — a comforting drink that’s made with turmeric, milk, cinnamon, and ginger.

Turmeric is generally safe to consume, but there have been rare instances of liver problems associated with consuming too much turmeric. These cases could be due to contaminated products, though, which is why it’s so important to choose reputable sources when purchasing curcumin-rich foods or turmeric supplements.

Garlic

Garlic is really good for you, so you shouldn’t hesitate to use a lot of it in your cooking! While garlic is technically a vegetable, it's commonly used in herbal treatments because of its potent health properties. Garlic contains strong antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds — like allicin, alliin, and ajoene — all of which could potentially benefit the liver.

Clinical studies have found that eating raw garlic regularly might lower your chances of developing liver cancer. In one case, people who consumed raw garlic two or more times per week had a 23% lower risk of liver cancer compared to those who ate it less often.

While raw garlic is usually safe to eat, some people have experienced liver problems from taking concentrated garlic supplements. This is rare, but it’s still something to be aware of.

Ginger root

You’ve probably used ginger in your cooking before — it’s a common culinary ingredient, and it’s quite delicious, too! It also serves as a remedy for some health issues, including liver disease.

Ginger root contains compounds like gingerols and shogaols, both of which can help reduce inflammation and protect your liver cells. Ginger might also offer protection against harmful substances, such as alcohol.

You can easily grate fresh ginger into stir-fries or soups to add flavor and extra health benefits to your meals. You can also slice or chop up some ginger root and steep it in hot water to make ginger tea. Of course, you should always talk to your doctor before taking large doses of ginger, especially if you have liver issues. Generally, though, ginger is considered safe to eat for most people.

Ginseng

Studies done in labs and on animals have revealed that ginseng carries antioxidants that could protect the liver from harm caused by viruses, toxins, and excessive alcohol consumption. It's even been suggested that ginseng might help liver cells heal faster after surgery.

Some research involving humans has shown that ginseng treatment could improve liver function, decrease fatigue, and reduce inflammation in people who are dealing with liver problems.

Despite these encouraging findings, more research is required to fully understand how ginseng impacts liver health. While using ginseng on its own is generally considered to be safe for the liver, it can interact with certain medications in negative ways.

This could potentially lead to liver damage. If you’re taking other medications, it’s recommended that you speak with your doctor before taking ginseng supplements.

Danshen root

Danshen, which is often used in traditional Chinese medicine, comes from the dried roots of the Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge plant. Research involving both humans and animals suggests that danshen could offer benefits for liver health. You can make danshen tea by adding a small amount of danshen roots to boiling water and letting it steep for 10-15 minutes.

Animal studies, in particular, suggest that danshen might protect the liver from damage caused by drinking too much alcohol. Not only that, but it might support the growth of new liver tissue. Some research indicates that danshen injections could potentially aid in treating liver fibrosis, especially when combined with other herbal treatments.

Cardamom

Cardamom, a spice that’s commonly used in cooking, isn’t just flavorful — it’s also great for cleansing your liver. It may offer additional health perks, too, so you really can’t go wrong with adding a little cardamom to your lunch or dinner.

Since it’s loaded with antioxidants, cardamom works to protect the liver from harm. It also helps with digestion and supports a healthy appetite, so it’s a great choice for those who are trying to cleanse their liver by eating more nutritious foods.

We’d recommend starting with a small amount of cardamom and gradually increasing your intake, since it may be difficult for your body to tolerate excessive amounts of cardamom at first.

If you already have liver issues, you’ll probably want to ask your doctor before using a lot of cardamom in your cooking or taking supplements that contain cardamom. It’s also best to consume cardamom alongside other liver-cleansing foods and supplements.

Improve Your Liver Health Today With Revive’s Liver Supplements

While using these herbs in your cooking, you may also want to take liver supplements. This will be the best way to make absolutely sure that you’re keeping your liver healthy and strong. Revive Supplements Liver is specifically designed to protect your liver health, as it contains plenty of herbal extracts, vitamins, and minerals.

It’s packed with antioxidants, which means it’ll serve as the perfect companion to a balanced diet. Check out Revive’s wide selection of premium supplements, today. We’re here to support not only your liver health but your quality of life!

The information being presented in this blog is intended to be used as educational or resource information only. It is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice from your healthcare provider. This content should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please contact your healthcare provider. You should call 911 for all medical emergencies. Revive MD is not liable for any advice or information provided on this blog, which advice or information is provided on an “as-is” basis, and assumes no liability for diagnosis, treatment, decisions, or actions made in reliance upon any advice or information contained on this blog. No warranties, express or implied, are made on the information that is provided.