Supporting Your Liver in Winter

After the usual holiday excesses, many people turn to solutions to relieve their liver or digestive system.

Indeed, these organs work continuously. It can be beneficial to give them a little support to help them accomplish their tasks.

To keep up with the seasons, we will avoid major detox cures before the end of March, when spring energy truly makes a strong comeback.

Indeed, the rhythm of winter is much more geared towards rest, regeneration, and relaxation; we wait for warmer weather to do a big clean-up.

To support ourselves while waiting for that moment, we will proceed more gently. Gentle classics. We will choose the minimum dosages, no more than once a day.

For more advice, our herbalists will be happy to answer you.

We also have a general blend to promote liver health

For a gentle detox in all seasons, our DetoX blend

Most of the plants discussed will also be in our annual spring cure, available at the end of March for a limited time.

This cure offers you a gentle and effective method.

GREEN!

Make sure you consume green foods or fresh vegetables daily. This alone provides your digestive system with the vitamins, enzymes, and minerals it needs to function properly.

Among the plants:

Bitterness:

Bitterness is almost indispensable when working on digestion; it is unpopular in North America, yet bitterness is the flavor that activates digestion most effectively. You will therefore notice several bitter plants here to varying degrees. But we are remaining gentle here!

-Dandelion

A great classic, its root, roasted or not, makes an interesting beverage. It is, of course, bitter, but generally not too much, its sugars balancing the impression one gets from it. It is often part of cereal coffee recipes, especially if the root is roasted. Its cousin, chicory, is often used for similar purposes.

It can be powdered and added to our usual infusions, or made into a decoction, as it should be. It is ideally simmered for about fifteen minutes.

1 teaspoon per cup of water if used alone, less if in a blend. One cup of dandelion per day is sufficient.

-Burdock

Another fabulous classic, used in small doses because it is very effective. Teamed with dandelion, it provides something very helpful for gently and effectively cleansing.

Burdock is good support for cellular detoxification thanks to its particular sulfur compounds. Use gently: no more than one cup a day to avoid aggravation; do not take if constipated.

It is even better combined with dandelion.

It is ideally simmered for about fifteen minutes.

1 teaspoon per cup of water if used alone. One cup of burdock per day is sufficient.

-Curly Dock

Another classic, which we choose when there is slow digestion or a feeling of being "very hot" in the digestive system, and when the intestines are not as regular as desired. It is rich in iron and very gentle; it is usually mixed with dandelion or other plants that encourage bile production.

As a root, it should also be simmered, like dandelion and burdock. Simmered for 15 minutes, 1 cup per day maximum.

-Desmodium

Unlike all the others present here, its taste is very mild. It goes unnoticed, yet it is very effective in supporting the liver in all its roles (more than 500 functions). It promotes bile production and the regeneration of liver cells.

1 teaspoon per cup of water, infuse for 10 minutes covered. You can drink 2-4 cups a day without problems.

-Calendula

Calendula is gentle, effective, and soothing. When experiencing irritation in the digestive system, one would choose one of these 4 asters with Chrysanthemum, or Chamomile and Yarrow. Calendula is chosen when skin problems and digestive system inflammation are more frequently observed.

1 to 2 teaspoons per cup of water, infuse for at least 5 minutes. 2-3 cups a day.

-Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum is very interesting for its delicate bitterness but especially for its very pleasant floral aromas. It helps to relax the liver and promote bile production. Very effective for hormonal or menstrual disorders. It comes to us from the Chinese tradition, where it is a widely used and very safe plant. Like calendula, chamomile, and yarrow, it is anti-inflammatory.

Preparation: 1g=250ml / 85C° / 5min / 1infusion

-Chamomile

Very gentle, suitable for children, its bitterness and aromas are more delicate than those of chrysanthemum, it will suit the most sensitive individuals; children and seniors.

You can enjoy its anti-inflammatory qualities in infusion or in a steam bath. Let's be clear that a steam bath will do nothing for your digestion. Chamomile has earned its classic title, rediscover it!

Chamomile in bloom is far superior to tea bags in terms of taste and fragrance.

1 teaspoon per cup of water, infuse 10 minutes covered. You can drink 3 cups a day without problems.

-Yarrow

One of the author's favorites and most reliable, but also the one whose taste will be the most complex, bitter, and peculiar of the 4 flowers offered.

The most pronounced action on the liver and on bleeding wherever it occurs, like chrysanthemum, it will help with hormonal or menstrual problems. Very effective in soothing irritated digestive mucous membranes.

As a single herb: 1/2 teaspoon per cup of water, infuse 10 minutes covered. You can drink 3 cups a day without problems.

How?

Drink warm

Regular infusions after meals are always appreciated; one should always favor warm beverages or at least at room temperature to avoid "shocking" our digestive system.

Infuse flowers for 5 minutes covered to retain aromas in the infusion.

Roots can be simmered, all together, and can even be simmered for the week by placing the week's doses in a single pot and bringing it to a low boil for 30 minutes. Strain and refrigerate, then retrieve 1 cup per day to drink in the morning.

Happy Exploring!

Contraindications:

-Pregnant or breastfeeding, consult us.

-Certain medications may not tolerate the plants used. Consult your pharmacist.

All information provided on this page is for educational purposes only, according to traditional principles.

No information on this page replaces medical advice.