Taraxacum officinale in Kamalahar is highly effective for liver detoxification and making liver healthy

The Dandelion plant (Taraxacum officinale) has been used for many centuries for its medicinal properties and also as an edible vegetable.  It grows readily throughout the northern hemisphere and often in many people’s lawns which is why it is usually considered a weed by those who don’t know about its amazing healing abilities. Many ayurvedic medicines contain Taraxacum officinale and one such medicine is Kamalahar.

It is very high in nutrients especially in vitamin A which is great for healthy skin and a good immune system.  It is also rich in the minerals potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron and zinc, which it takes up from the soil using it’s long tap root.

The Dandelion plant can be used successfully for conditions like constipation, sluggish liver, gall stones, dyspepsia, bloating, chronic skin conditions and fluid retention.

The root and the leaves of the Dandelion plant are what herbalists use medicinally.
Dandelion Root is very effective for improving liver health and digestive function. The root of the dandelion plant is known as a liver tonic, and whilst the leaves also have some liver supporting benefits, the root is best used for liver health as it has a much stronger action on the liver than the leaves.  The leaves of the Dandelion are used more for their diuretic actions. 

Dandelion Root acts as a choleretic (stimulates bile production from the liver) and a cholagogue (stimulate the gall bladder to release bile into the intestines. These are two very important actions as this increased flow of bile helps to naturally cleanse and remove toxins from the digestive tract, and also act as a gentle laxative. 

This makes dandelion root specifically indicated where there are gall stone problems, general sluggish digestion, constipation and general low liver function.

On top of these ‘bile stimulating’ functions the dandelion root contains bitter elements.  Bitters again stimulate the entire digestive process which again helps to improve waste excretion from the body. 
Traditionally it was used in the spring time as a tonic and a detox to help strengthen the liver and the kidneys.

The actions of dandelion root mean it can also be used to help in the following situations:
Dandelion’s cleansing actions mean it is one of the best herbs to use for chronic skin conditions such as acne, especially if they are caused by sluggish digestion or bad diet and lifestyle. It can be used for indigestion, bloating and gas or general digestive problems. A great herb to take after illness or surgery to help the liver recover.

Dandelion Root is also great for hormonal conditions where liver clearance of hormones is required such a pre-menstrual tension, and endometriosis. The root of the dandelion also has a mild diuretic effect again aiding in flushing out toxins from the body.  The leaf of the dandelion plant has a much stronger diuretic action.

Some Powerful Natural Liver Cleansers

The liver performs over 500 different jobs in the body, from filtering blood to producing bile, which is needed to complete digestion of foods. The liver can work hard, but it can also be damaged easily by toxin factors such as alcohol and smoking, as well as lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise. Often the liver does not show any symptoms of a problem for many years, and sometimes until it is too late.

So, what can we do about it? We can cleanse our liver naturally with common food items or herbal/ayurvedic products as listed below.
1. Warm Lemon Water – Warm lemon water is a great way to detox your liver every single morning. This isn’t lemonade, so don’t add sugar or anything else. Just purified water and a healthy dose of fresh lemon juice.
2. Dandelion – Yes, the edible pesky weed. Dandelion is one of the bitter herbs whose healing properties cover a variety of health issues. They are rich in vitamins and minerals. All parts of the plant are used medically by herbalists around the world. The leaves are edible and can be added to salads, cooked as any other leafy-green vegetable and are used in some coffee substitutes. The flowers are used to add a special flavor to some wines. Both Native Americans and the Chinese have used dandelion for centuries for culinary and medicinal treatments including cleansing the liver.

3. Avocados – A Japanese study found that avocados contain compounds that can protect the liver from damage. When compared with 21 other fruits, avocados had the most promise in protecting the liver from galactosamine, a powerful toxin that has been shown to produce a liver damage much like human viral hepatitis. While avocados are high in fat, much of the fat is of the monounsaturated variety, which has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels.
4. Artichokes – This delicious vegetable is a powerful liver protector because it contains a flavonoid called silymarin, a strong antioxidant. Studies on animals have shown that silymarin may be helpful against liver toxicity and cancer. When it’s in season, steam and eat a couple of artichoke flowers to keep your liver performing at its optimum.
5. Turmeric – A powerful spice with a long list of benefits, turmeric is said to not only protect the liver from damage, but also encourage regeneration of liver cells. In addition, it increases natural bile production and aids in keeping the body toxin-free. It’s also a very potent anti-inflammatory which helps relieve pain.
6. Kamalahar — Kamalahar is a herbal or ayurvedic product which is very effective in the cleansing of liver and also in the treatment of liver disorders such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, fatty liver, ascites and jaundice. It is composed of the herbs Tecoma undulata, Phyllanthus urinaria, Embelia ribes, Taraxacum officinale, Nyctanthes arbortritis and Terminalia arjuna. These herbs have been used over many years by people in China, India and other countries for the treatment of liver disorders and to cleanse the liver.

Cleansing our liver is crucial, so we should not hesitate to incorporate these liver-cleansing solutions into our life for a healthy liver, which equates to a healthy life.

Some foods and natural remedies to keep liver healthy

The liver is one of our body’s busiest organs, with a role to play in most of the biochemical processes that sustain life. It produces bile that is vital to digestion, produces plasma proteins, stores iron, regulates the clotting of blood, synthesizes cholesterol, stores glucose as glycogen, regulates the levels of amino acids in blood, is involved with clotting of blood, removes toxins from the body and produces immune factors that help prevent infections. With our modern-day food and lifestyles (think greater junk food, alcohol, smoking, stress and medication) we put a greater pressure on our liver and this can cause several health problems right from allergies and migraines to obesity and indigestion. One of its most important functions involves breaking down and disposing of toxic substances.If the released toxins are not expelled properly due to the inefficiency of the liver they are simply reabsorbed. These toxins can later lead to various severe complications including cancer.

There are certain vegetables that contain ingredients which help the liver secrete greater concentrations of important enzymes; in turn, these enzymes help to excrete potential carcinogens from the body.

 

Broccoli, onion and garlic are believed to provide sulfur to the body. Sulphur, helps enhance the detoxifying reactions in the liver, and carry out processes that prevent its damage.
Beetroot contains pectin which is very useful in flushing out the toxins from the liver, and does not allow them to be reabsorbed.
Cabbage is known for its high levels of sodium, which help in proper disposal and detoxification of the liver.
Carrots are rich in Niacin and beta carotene, they are great for the eyes and liver. The niacin helps the liver properly break down substances to release toxins, keeping it healthy and avoiding re-absorption of harmful substances.

Some of the herbal remedies that can help liver stay healthy are as follows:

Amla or Gooseberry
The Indian gooseberry or amla is known as one of the richest sources of vitamin C. What is less well-known is its ability to keep the liver functioning at optimal levels. This herb has been used extensively in Ayurveda for treatment of a sluggish liver; now researchers are finding in laboratory studies that extracts from amla have liver-protective function. However, there is no clear indication of whether it is useful to treat hepatitis B infection. The best way to consume it is raw as small pieces in salad or by making a raitha with grated amla and curd.

Jethimad or Licorice
People with non- alcoholic fatty liver disease show increased levels of the transaminase enzymes called ALT and AST. Studies have found that the use of licorice (Jethimad or Mulhati in Hindi) extracts led to reduced concentrations of these enzymes indicating that licorice has beneficial effects on the liver. Although licorice is more well-known for its sweet taste and anti-ulcer action, it has been used in Ayurvedic remedies to cure liver ailments. Licorice is available at stores selling Indian medicinal herbs; get the root, powder it at home and make a tea by pouring boiling water into the powder, steeping for a few minutes and then straining the liquid.

Haldi or Turmeric
Full of valuable antioxidants, turmeric is an important herb that improves liver health. No wonder then that people in Asian countries use it so extensively in their cooking. Now, it is being recognized even in western countries for its liver-protective value. Some studies have also found that the antiviral action of turmeric is effective in preventing the multiplication of the viruses causing hepatitis B and C. The easiest way to take turmeric is to include it in your cooking; you can also make it a practice to drink a little turmeric-flavoured milk on a regular basis to get its benefits.

Along with the use of these natural remedies, it is also important to avoid foods that cause damage to the liver. If you eat foods that are highly processed with a large number of additives, or if you take too many medications, your liver has to work overtime to tackle this greater chemical load and this can cause damage. Food that is rich in hydrogenated oil, high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweetening agents and alcohol are some of the other substances that can put a greater load on your liver. Along with consuming of liver-protective herbs, it is also important to make sure you avoid the foods that cause it harm.