Liver Detox Tonic
Why use a herbal liver detox tonic?
The goal is to rid accumulated toxins brought on by the stress of a variety of factors that influence overall health, including exercise, travel, injury, side effects from bute and other drugs, exposure to chemical poisons and pollution (including wormers and vaccines) and seasonal changes.
Since the kidneys’ job is to eliminate the toxins the liver filters, it makes sense to assist the kidneys in keeping up with the toxic load. If inflammation occurs during liver detox, this is a red flag: the kidneys can’t keep up with all those toxins.
Lymphatics work closely with the blood to release toxins. The Lymphatic system is a key disease defence network located just under the skin. Lymphatic detox is especially important in fighting inflammation and enhancing your horse’s ability to sweat. Horsetail (equisetum) and Fenugreek can be made into a tea and added to feed for 6 weeks, and/or add mint to your hedgerow or trough herbs. It is wise to add sea salt, rosehips and kelp during this process as well.
The liver is one of the most vital organs in our body. It has a wide range of functions, including detoxification, protein synthesis, helping to regulate hormone activity, and production of biochemicals necessary for digestion. Everything we eat must be processed by the liver before it can be distributed throughout the body.
This organ plays a major role in metabolism and is the master detoxifier – it cleanses the system not only of environmental toxins, but also of metabolic waste.
Dandelion – It is mainly the root that helps cleanse the liver and treat gallbladder problems. Compounds in the root cause an increase in bile production and this helps to improve digestion. It also helps the liver to digest foods and remove toxins quickly and efficiently.
Milk thistle seeds – The seeds of milk thistle are known as a powerful cleanser of the liver. They contain phytochemicals that stimulate the secretion of bile from the liver and gallbladder.
Garlic – Garlic contains many sulphur containing compounds that activate the liver enzymes responsible for flushing out toxins from the body. This herb also contains allicin which is a powerful compound said to help protect the liver from toxic damage, and helps in the detoxification process. Garlic is high in sulphur, which is required for phase 2 detoxification in the liver. In most people phase 2 detoxification is sluggish and garlic helps to speed it up. Onion, leek and eggs are also high in sulphur.
Kelp-The anti-oxidant mineral, selenium, has reportedly been shown in numerous studies to support the immune system
Rosehips-said to support the immune system as does Echinacea
Calendula –great as a detoxifying herb and used as a blood tonic and to help gastric complaints.