Liver is one of the most important organs of human body responsible for purifying blood and removing all toxins from the body. A healthy liver is a pre requisite for body’s own detoxification processes, easy digestion and metabolism, but modern lifestyle predominated with junk food and stressful days have seriously affected this organ’s health.
Ayurveda and Liver
In Ayurveda, Liver is referred to as Yakrit. This vital organ is inter-related to agni or the digestive fire, pitta dosha and blood or raktha dhathu. Aggravation of pitta leads to various liver disorders that are grouped under 2 heads: liver shrinkage and enlarged liver. Modern science describes various types of liver diseases like jaundice, liver cirrhosis etc. Ayurveda recommends Virechana and Vamana to expel out toxins accumulated as a result of vitiated doshas for curing all types of liver diseases.
Also, it advices to avoid any food that aggravates pitta and recommends the intake of items that pacifies this dosha. Some of the Ayurvedic home remedies to detox liver and maintain good health are mentioned below:
1. Garlic
Garlic is a powerful agent that reduce the accumulation of fat in the liver and thereby contribute to liver cleansing. You may include 3-4 cloves of chopped garlic daily in your cooked food (to retain its freshness) for the strength of liver.
2. Papaya
Both the leaves and seeds of papaya have been widely acknowledged for their ability to cure different types of liver disorders such as liver cirrhosis, jaundice etc. Eat raw papaya seeds or mix crushed papaya seeds with lemon juice and consume the blend for about 30 days for an effective liver detox. Similarly, extract the juice from about 10 papaya leaves and drink it plainly or mix it with other regular juices. (NB: Pregnant women and breast feeding women shall not consume these).
3. Amla
Amla or Gooseberry is one of the biggest natural source of vitamin C and acts as an effective remedy for preventing fatty build-up and other liver diseases. You may eat 3-4 raw amla every day or drink a mix of one teaspoon of amla powder in a cup of warm water daily, every morning.
4. Chyavanprash
Chyavanprash is an Ayurvedic herbal jam, its major constituent being Gooseberry. Consume 1 or 2 spoonful Chyavanprash along with milk (preferably warm milk) before breakfast every day for maintaining liver cleaned and for an overall sense of health.
5. Aleovera Gel
Aloevera is an incredible plant which is sometimes referred to as the plant of immortality. It is composed of various enzymes, minerals, amino acids, vitamins and polysaccharides which help in increasing metabolism, removing toxins and regenerating tissues. Scrape the gel from aleovera leaves and juice it plainly or mix with coconut water, lemonade or any other fresh fruit/vegetable juices. Drink this mix daily for an effective liver detox.
6. Turmeric
Turmeric is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, it has been widely used to cure liver disorders and to maintain a healthy liver. Turmeric can be included in your daily diet or consume turmeric mixed with plain milk daily before bed.
7. Lemon
Lemon is a powerful means to help liver detox. Squeeze a lemon in to a cup of warm water, add honey to sweeten the drink, use it daily (first thing in the morning) as an effective remedy for liver health.
Apart from these, include ghee in your daily diet for it’s a substance that is very extensively used in Ayurveda for detoxification procedures.
Lifestyle
In addition to consuming food that help in cleansing of liver and its regeneration, develop a life style that keeps you healthy.
➢ Dincharya or daily routine is very important to maintain a healthy liver and a healthy body. One should ideally follow the biological clock, an outline which is as follows:
o Wake an hour up before sunrise
o Lunch between 12- 1 pm, when pitta is at its heights
o Dinner around 7 pm
o Sleep before10 pm
➢ Avoid exposure to the mid-day heat as Pitta is generally intolerant to prolonged sun exposure.
➢ Practice yoga practises like Suryanamaskar and do meditation to keep you calm. It contributes to a healthy liver for liver is considered as the seat of all fiery emotions like anger, envy etc.