Liver Supporting Herbs
Dandelion Root & Milk Thistle - As Beautiful Inside As They Are On The Outside
It’s hard to open any health oriented site or even social media without seeing something about gut and digestive health these days. People are more interested than ever in taking their digestive health into their own hands not only because it’s more well known how important our digestive health is to our overall health, but we’ve also not experienced as many digestive problems quite as much as we do now. With now decades of fast, ultra-processed, pesticide ridden, nutrient depleted food entering our bodies along with the highest use of pharmaceuticals, heavy toxic burdens and exorbitant levels of stress from hustle culture, it’s no wonder that our digestive systems are crying out for help! You’ve probably heard of probiotics and multi-vitamins to help the case here, and for good reason given their overall benefits, but what about plants with major antioxidant and digestive powers? I’d like to introduce dandelion root and milk thistle - a couple of unsung heroes that provide our gut (and liver!) with extra love. Here are some fabulous benefits you should know about:
Dandelion Root
Helps manage blood sugar by reducing the absorption of glucose into the blood from the gastrointestinal tract.
Can assist in metabolizing fats and lowering high cholesterol by reducing triglyceride formation
Supports the liver and gallbladder by stimulating bile production.
Can help manage the impact of free radicals and oxidative stress as a potent antioxidant due to its high content of beta carotene.
Considered to be a mild diuretic, which can gently assist the digestive system to more effectively eliminate waste and toxins.
Milk Thistle
Similar to dandelion root, milk thistle is a powerful antioxidant giving it anit-inflammatory properties.
It is perhaps most well known for its ability to support the liver, specifically liver conditions like fatty liver and cirrhosis. When the liver functions well, it assists the overall digestive system to absorb nutrients and eliminate toxins efficiently.
Potentially helps manage blood sugar, and has been demonstrated to be helpful in diabetes management.
Supports gastrointestinal movement and keeping food movement through the digestive tract at an appropriate pace.
Helps gut flora thrive because food is appropriately absorbed through the release and management of digestive fluids.
Most commonly consumed in the form of tea or capsules, these can be hugely supportive to your gut function. Be mindful that these plants can potentially adversely interfere with medications like blood thinners and diuretics, so be sure to consult a trusted practitioner before incorporating if you are taking ongoing pharmaceutical drugs.
So if you want to match your beauty outside with an even more beautiful (and digestively balanced!) inside, give these plants a try.
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