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IN THIS ISSUE:

1. Cleansing the Liver Organ
2. Top Superfoods for the Liver
3. Recipe - Rootbeer Liver Tea

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Cleansing the Liver Organ

There are many reasons to keep this vital organ of the body superhealthy. Our liver plays an essential role in cleansing, detoxification and purification of the cells and blood. It is also responsible for converting proteins to amino acids, breaking down hormones, metabolizing nutrients, manufacturing antibodies, in addition to neutralizing and filtering toxins.

When wastes and residues build up in the body, liver health is compromised and you may experience a number of symptoms including sluggishness, hormone imbalances, fatigue, headaches, skin eruptions, bloating, constipation, and PMS.

Even when maintaining a superhealthy diet regime we are all exposed to various toxins and pollutants in our daily lives that make their way into our body and bloodstream.

Maintaining a diet of whole fiber foods, antioxidant and enzyme rich superfoods, raw fruits and vegetables, along with a low fat diet helps to keep the liver in good condition. But, every once in awhile it is helpful to do some internal housecleaning in this room of your "house".

It is always good to take at least a few days (or even weeks) a year to lighten the load on your liver, providing it with the top superfoods we list below for cleaning and cleansing this all important organ of the body.

(For those of you who desire more intensive liver detox see my past newsletters on Top 3 Health and Detox Centers and Top 3 Colonic Irrigation Benefits.)

Top Superfoods for the Liver!

1) ROOTS and HERBS

Many liver herbs are roots that go deep into the earth to draw in their nourishment. These roots provide stability, much like the role of the liver in the human body. When the liver functions optimally, all other systems thrive as a consequence. Liver herbs purify the blood, aid digestion, and provide energy for converting our food into nutrients we can use.

These are our top superfood roots and seeds:

~dandelion root
~milk thistle seeds
~burdock root
~sarsaparilla root
~schizandra berries

(See our page on milk thistle and our top 7 liver cleansing herbs.)

It is good idea to do cleansing herbs in moderation if you are just transitioning into a healthier diet. You don't want to detox too quickly. In my opinion, it is best to take the slow and easy approach and clean up the diet first with fresh, whole, raw living foods, seaweeds, fermented foods, other superfoods, etc.

2) GREEN JUICING

Consuming only juice for a period of time frees up the digestive system and allows it to maintain cleansing actions that carry out toxins as well as the backup of waste material that overloads the body and liver. Juicing raw chlorophyll-rich green leafy vegetables along with a little cucumber, celery, and fennel is our standard Green Goodness Juice recipe.

Wheatgrass juice is also known to be an almost pure form of green-chlorophyll energy and naturally helps flush out toxins and improve liver function. Wild edible greens and sprouts can also be added to juicing recipes for additional benefits.

Dandelion greens, either wild or store bought, provide bitter qualities that benefit the liver.

3) ALGAES

Micro-algaes are some of the most potent liver detoxification foods. The algaes are #1 for removing and neutralizing poisonous substances from the body, like heavy metals, toxins, radiation, pesticides and pollution in the air we breathe. There structure is unique in that they tend to bind with these contaminants and expel them from the body.

The main algaes we use as superfoods for the liver are:

These green chlorophyll- rich micro algaes have the ability to detoxify the body, each with their own set of benefits that work together with the liver to support optimal health.

When we cleanse the liver... WE GLOW and our skin becomes clear and supple!

4) ZEOLITE

Zeolite is a volcanic, clay mineral substance. Its crystalline structure forms a sort of "cage" that works, like a magnet, to attract heavy metals, chemicals and other pollutants, capturing them and removing these harmful toxins from the body.

Healthforce Nutritionals makes powdered Zeoforce and is one of the highest qualities on the market. I like to use the powder with other algae powders or when juice fasting to help the cleansing process.

SIDE NOTE:

Keep in mind that any of these top superfoods should be used in conjunction with lifestyle factors that promote liver health. This includes avoiding alcohol, caffeine and tobacco; staying active with regular exercise (even walking and yoga are highly beneficial); eliminating processed foods filled with refined sugars, preservatives and chemical additives; and lastly, learning to manage stress and maintaining healthy sleeping habits.

Recipe of the Month:

Root Beer Liver Tea

Many of you may know this is one of my favorite liver cleansing teas. It is absolutely delicious with an amazing root beer flavor, using sassafras and sarsaparilla. It is a wonderful herbal stimulant and liver tonic brew that is the way root beer was meant to be! In fact, this is how it was originally made... with roots! I list this recipe on my herbal tea recipes page, along with more liver cleansing teas.

1 quart spring water

• 2T sarsaparilla
• 1T sassasfras
• 1T dandelion
• 1T burdock
• 3 pieces sliced licorice root
• 1/2t cinnamon
• 1T ginger root
• 1t goji berries
• 1T orange peel

Decoct (simmer with lid on) sarsaparilla, dandelion, burdock, orange peel, goji berries and ginger root for 20 minutes.
Add the cinnamon and sassafras to the pot or infuse in a mason jar with a lid.
Allow to steep or infuse for 20 minutes.
Strain and sweeten with vanilla stevia.

Until our next issue...

May you thrive, prosper and evolve in the best of ways!

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All information in this ezine is the personal view of the author and is for educational purposes only and not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or prescription. This information has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to cure or prevent any disease.