A blend of herbs known for their tonic liver-supporting, cleansing and healing properties.

Cholagogues and choleretics support liver function and the production and release of bile.

Hepatoprotective herbs protect liver cells from damage.

Hepatic tropho-restoratives help liver cells to heal.

Supporting effective detoxification and elimination channels is a vital aspect of wholistic health.

The liver is also involved in hormone production and clearance, so healthy liver function supports hormone balance.

Stress, fatigue, chemicals and pollution, infections, drugs and alcohol and some pharmaceutical drugs can damage the liver and diminish its optimal functioning.

So it is important to love your liver!

One gentle way we can all do this is to start the day with a glass of warm water with a twist of lemon in it.

Your liver also loves Turmeric, so grab some of this lovely tasty root and start adding it to all kinds of cooking. My favourite trick with Turmeric is to gently saute a blend of pumpkin, sunflower, sesame and pine seeds in a little olive oil and sea salt, then add a good dash of Turmeric. We store these in a jar and sprinkle liberally over our salads.

And then we have this nourishing tea blend.

THE LOVE YOUR LIVER TEA CONTAINS:

Burdock Root (Arctium lappa) - a cleansing, depurative herb for the liver. Burdock is particularly helpful if various skin complaints are indicating the need for liver support, such as acne, eczema and boils (furunculosis). 

Dandelion Leaf (Taraxacum officinale) - this choleretic herb is also a mild laxative and diuretic action, so supporting several channels of elimination and detoxification. It is particularly helpful for supporting digestion and addresses digestive issues contributed to by liver insufficiency.

Globe Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) - this herbs promotes liver function and also protects liver cells. It is helpful for digestive liver insufficiency (to promote the production and flow of bile) and is also helpful for modulating cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Liquorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) - everyone needs a little Liquorice in their life! It is a restorative herb for the liver, and also a gentle soothing laxative. Because of the soothing effect it has on the mucosal lining of your gastro-intestinal tract, it supports healing digestion and gently addresses constipation (thus supporting bowel function - also important for hormone clearance and thus hormone balance). Best of all, Glycyrrhiza is an adrenal tonic, so very nourishing for our adrenals which can become exhausted by chronic stress. It's a fabulous, multi-purpose herbs that ticks lots of boxes for most folks, but it is NOT suitable in cases of:

- hypertension

- oedema

- congestive heart failure

- renal, cardiac or hepatic disease

Nettle Leaf (Urticia dioica) - richly nutritious and depurative, Nettle is a cleansing herb to support gentle detoxification.

Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis) - many people have this herb growing in the garden. If you don't already, try planting some! It's very hardy, smells amazing and it fabulous for the lamb roast. I put Rosemary in my bath to help with arthritis and sore muscles, and its antiseptic properties help clear up skin complaints. It's also lovely for the hair and is reputed to help with hair loss. Well, I am not sure about that last bit, but I can say that your hair feels and smells amazing after a Rosemary bath. Rosemary is a hepato-protective herb that guards against liver damage, and in particular, enhances phase II liver detoxification, which is important to allow excretion of accumulated toxins from the body.

St Mary's Thistle (Silybum marianum) - this liver protective herb promotes liver function  and has potent anti-oxidant activity. It is useful for liver damage, hepatitis, gall stones, constipation and to support healthy metabolism.

* Schisandra berries (Schisandra chinensis) - this strength-giving adaptogen herb is also helpful to nourish the nervous system and promotes peak physical and mental performance. It is also an excellent liver-protecting herb that supports and enhances phase 1 and 2 detoxifaction pathways in the liver. It is helpful for chronic liver damage.

* Note: Schisandra is a beautiful beneficial herb but it is NOT SUITABLE DURING PREGNANCY, except during labour to support labour - because it acts on the uterus and promotes uterine contracts. If you need liver support during pregnancy, please see our Healthy Pregnancy Tea.

How to use the tea:

Place 1 teaspoon (5g approximately) of herbs, per cup of tea you'd like to make, into a tea pot (an old jam jar works perfectly).

Pour on approximately 150 ml hot water, just off the boil, per cup of tea.

Cover and steep for 10 minutes.

Pour through a strainer into your chosen drinking receptacle.

Add a twist of lemon or lime, or a dab of natural sweetener like honey or agave, if you like.

Enjoy your tea hot, warm or over ice.

Drink 3-4 cups daily.

Disclaimer: This information is based on empirical and traditional herbal medicine. It is of a general informational nature and does not constitute medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose or treat any health condition. Any health condition should be referred to your chosen health care practitioner. Check with your health care practitioner before commencing to use any herbal product, and be aware of any personal and family allergies.