In this article, you’re going to discover how you can do an ayurvedic liver cleanse naturally at home. In our daily lives, we are exposed to a variety of toxins.
Your body absorbs these toxins on a daily basis. Our body is exposed to changing weather conditions, various food types, and a dirty environment frequently.
Your fast paced lifestyles lead to stress and exertion. All this collectively leads to the accumulation of toxins in the body.
This will result in health issues like decreased energy, dizziness, body ache, indigestion, foul body, and breath.
Though we can take care of our diet, the external environment is beyond our control. Our foreign environment contains a lot of pollutants. According to Ayurveda, our body is supposed to digest whatever it takes in.
Therefore, any kind of taste, sight, smell, sound as well as other things our skin is exposed to needs to be digested by the digestive fire of the body, our emotions and thoughts are no exceptions to it.
This results in toxic build up in the body which can lead to blocked channels and deteriorate our health condition.
In Ayurveda the liver is considered to be governed by the pitta dosha. Its primary dominating element is fire. Liver dysfunction is usually expressed in pitta symptoms. The signs of the dysfunction are burning, acidity, inflammation or infection.
The liver can recognize the harmful substances by their heating nature. For instance, alcohol is commonly known to cause damage in excess and is recognized by its heating quality. Oily, fried foods that are heating in nature also serve the same purpose.
It is, therefore, important to limit the pitta enhancing food. These substances are found in oily and spicy food, alcohol, artificial flavoring, preservatives, and caffeine.
Good health of the liver requires the balance of the pitta. An Ayurvedic cleanses acts as a reset button for the liver. It is a natural way to cleanse the liver.
It serves as a support for the body in its natural mechanism to clean out this toxic build up. Carrying out a home based detox is easy.
The cleansing process can be performed when a need is felt. According to Ayurveda it is recommended that it should be done at the changing of each season.
A combination of dietary and lifestyle changes is required to treat the imbalance in the liver.
Ayurveda recommends that liver detox should be carried out at the commencement of the spring season. It helps in removing toxins accumulated in the body during winters.
Similarly, the end of summer is a good time to carry out the detox. It will clear out the Pitta collected in the body during summers.
Table of Contents
Types Of Pitta Dosha
There are five types of Pitta Dosha. They are Pachaka Pitta, Alochaka Pitta, Ranjaka Pitta, Bhrajaka Pitta and Sadhaka Pitta.
Pachaka Pitta and Ranjaka Pitta are crucial for the proper functioning of the liver.
1. Pachaka Pitta
It constitutes the enzymes, juices and the various kinds of acids required to carry out the process of digestion.
2. Ranjaka Pitta
It represents complex processes such as balancing body chemistry, production of blood cells and other activities responsible for pigmentation of the skin or the blood.
Liver disease occurs when Pachaka Pitta is out of balance. Whenever there is vitiation of pachaka pitta, it also impacts the ranjaka pitta situated in the liver.
It becomes deranged and does not get its full nourishment.
Pitta Balancing Diet
The most important step for liver detoxification is to follow a pitta balancing diet.
The pitta balancing diet includes foods that are cold, light, sweet, dry and bitter. Fiber intake is critical. Drinking adequate quantity of water helps restore the imbalance of Agni.
Green vegetables and sweet fruits are good. Fresh Papaya and carrot juice are a blessing for the liver.
Bitter herbs are the best source to pacify pitta. They result in a reflexive secretion of gastric juices and help tone the muscles of the digestive tract. It also possesses antibacterial and pitta reducing properties.
Processing of nutrients and filtering of impurities which are the primary liver functions are supported by bitter herbs.
Avoid Pitta Enhancing Diet
Foods that are heating in nature should be prevented. It includes alcohol, oily and spicy food, red meat, egg yolk, vinegar, tomatoes and refined flour.
Eating habits should also be improved. Late dinners should be avoided. A regular eating schedule is important.
Exertion and stress are also a major source of ill health of the liver. It is crucial to avoid exertion, stress, exposure to the sun, day naps and smoking.
Ayurvedic Herbs To Naturally Cleanse Your Liver
There are some herbs in Ayurveda that support the function of the liver. They improve the health of the liver. They help pacify pitta imbalance and decrease liver congestion.
1. Curcumin
It speeds up the liver detox. It prevents toxins and alcohol to convert into harmful compounds. Curcumin is not advised in cases of congestive heart diseases.
2. Milk Thistle
It nourishes and strengthens the liver. It prevents liver toxicity during chemotherapy.
3. Bhumyamalaki (Phyllanthus Niruri)
Bhumyamalaki (Phyllanthus Niruri) is the essential herb for stimulating liver function. Also effective in treating liver disorders including hepatitis B carriers.
4. Sharapunkha (Tephrosia Purpurea)
It optimizes bile secretions, purifies the blood, reduces inflammation and improves the functioning of the liver.
5. Punarnava (Boerhavia Diffusa)
It rejuvenates, reduces inflammation and has a scraping action that removes deep toxins from the liver cells.
6. Amalaki
It has many incredible effects on the body, including a liver tonic and is beneficial for liver complaints.
How Fasting Helps In Detoxifying Liver?
Sometimes reducing the burden on liver helps it to decongest itself. Regular meals flood the liver with nutrients and toxins. Fasting helps it to catch up with this.
Detoxification requires a lot of energy. Therefore, it is advised to drink fresh fruits and vegetable juice every three hours during fasting. It provides the needed support to the liver.
Fasting should be done only when you are calm and free. A time of stress or exertion is not right for a fast. Also, starving is not the correct way of fasting. Don’t let yourself become weak and depleted.
Whenever there is a sign of exhaustion, it is recommended to stop the fast. Ideally a fast should last only for one to three days. People with chronic illness and pregnant ladies should consult a doctor before going for a fast.
How To Take Care of Your Liver?
It is clear that it is not possible to avoid chemical contaminants completely. It is possible to take care of your liver by following these suggestions.
- Eating good quality food is important. You should avoid overeating and oily food.
- Hydration and high fiber diet are vital to keeping the bowel movement.
- Fasting is good for the liver.
- You should try to minimize the food additives and chemicals.
- Say no to alcohol or use it sparingly.
- Try to intake some bitter and liver tonic herbs. You will experience a change in your mind and energy.
- Take out some time to meditate, pray, relax and breathe deeply.
Ayurvedic Liver Cleanse Process
1. Relax
Relaxing is critical. You should take out time to chill out. It helps reduce mental activity and reduce stress. Our body is subjected to lots of pressure and exertions. It can lead to a host of health issues like fatigue, sleeplessness, weight gain, etc.
Slowing down is a must for the liver detoxification process. Whenever you plan to take the rehab process, schedule your next seven days so that you have time for regular yoga and meditation.
2. Diet
At the heart of this process lies a crucial dish which is kitchari. It is a very nourishing meal plus it is easy to digest. It has a balance of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.
Ghee is also an important part of Ayurvedic cleansing. It lubricates the digestive tracts and help facilitate the elimination of toxins.
Triphala a traditional digestive tonic acts as a mild laxative. It is made up of three fruits namely Amalaki, bibhitaki, and haritaki, which has antioxidant properties.
3. Yoga
Yoga is also an important part of the detoxification process. It not only expedites the process but also helps in reducing stress. Restorative poses, relax the body, mind, and nervous system. Having a calm mind during the detoxification process is critical.You can start doing Surya Namaskar which will benefit you a lot.
4. Change In Lifestyle
Nature has designed a body clock. It is paramount for the body to follow that body clock. The bio-clock follows the sun. It knows when the time to be active is and when it should rest.
During the day, the body is busy, and it requires nourishment. It uses the night to detox itself. Deep Sleep is vital for detox to happen.
Therefore ‘Dincharya’ or daily routine is crucial for a healthy liver and healthy body.
A healthy liver is essential for a balanced pitta emotion. An increase of pitta can be expressed in the form of irritability, over ambitiousness, jealousy and anger. On the other hand, a healthy liver will inspire willpower, confidence and courage.
It is also very important to express emotions like jealousy and anger. Suppression of these emotions is as potentially toxic as harmful chemicals. Therefore, finding appropriate methods of communicating and understanding the source of these emotions is crucial.
A healthy liver is a source of positive energy for the mind and body. You should carry out a detoxification process at least once in a year. Love your liver and help it to give its best.
Also Read:
14 Ways To Ayurvedic Colon Cleanse At Home
How To Do Ayurvedic Liver Cleanse Without Spending A Dime
