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Wild Foods For Liver Detoxification

Wild Foods For Liver Detoxification

from The Juice Lady’s Living Foods Revolution

 

Wild grown greens and herbs offer us some of the most cleansing, medicinal, and nutrient-dense foods we could find.  And, they are free! Here’s what you get when you pick wild foods:

  • Organic, clean, resilient, resistant to diseases, nutrient and antioxidant rich.
  • Grown in rich soils, has greater access to and quality of nutrients.
  • Variety of species, variety of nutrients.
  • Diversity of flavor–bitter, pungent, sour, bland, sweet, and salty.
  • Time-tested; wild plants have been used for thousands of years.
  • Have enzyme systems and mechanisms for optimal digestion.
  • Our human genome (inherited genetic information) is responsive to wild foods.
  • They follow cycles and rhythms of nature, like our bodies.
  • Cleanse and nourish our bodies, support optimal health.
  • Specific plants cleanse and support specific organs.

Stinging Nettle

The stinging nettle is one of the first plants to come up in early spring. It is used traditionally for body cleansing.  People who observe lent in the Eastern Orthodox tradition abstain from heavy animal foods for about six weeks before Easter and eat spring herbs.

Nettle is a great tonic with unique healing and cleansing qualities. It flushes out toxins and cleanses the entire system. It’s best known to detox the kidneys.  It helps discharge metabolic wastes, such as uric acid crystals. And it’s a good diuretic/aquaretic, meaning it will not waste electrolytes but will get rid of excess water. It gently tones the body, purifying the blood.  It also helps cleanse the lymph and rid the body of the residues of months of sedentary winter lifestyle and heavy food.  And it replenishes the body with nutrients—it’s rich in iron, calcium, beta-carotene, and vitamin C.

In addition to all the cleansing it does, the tea of nettle tops also stimulates the formation of red blood cells. Further, it can lower blood sugar levels and is indicated for type 2 diabetics. This tea can be taken safely by anybody, though it may be particularly supportive for women during puberty, menopause or pregnancy.

To make the best use of spring nettles, gather young leaves before the plants produce seeds. Use gloves to prevent stinging. You can add them to green smoothies and juice.  They will not sting once they are juiced or blended. You can cook them; and they are delicious in omelets, sautéed greens, nettle chips, soups, and teas.  Also, you can add it to baths, body wash, and hair rinse.

Stinging Nettles Omelet

Start with a bunch of young nettle leaves, chopped (use rubber gloves to prepare nettles) sautéed with shallots or onions in 1 tablespoon of olive oil or coconut oil. Once the nettles are lightly cooked. they no longer sting. Add 1/2 cup sautéed mushrooms and 2 eggs.

Dandelion

Dandelion is the quintessential digestive herb. It’s bitter principles stimulate production of stomach acid, enhance appetite, support action of the liver in breaking down nutrients and cleanses the body of toxins.  As a liver detox herb, it helps regulate hormones and alleviate hormonal ups and downs, such as those associated with the female menstrual cycle or menopause, and also low vitamin D levels.

One of the best herbs to use for a spring cleanse, dandelion acts as a cleansing agent on both the liver and the kidneys.  It helps to purify the blood and flush out uric acid crystals that accumulate from eating a diet too rich in animal proteins and other acid-producing foods; it restores the alkalinity of the blood.

Dandelion enhances bile flow. It also reduces and prevents inflammation in the liver and gallbladder It contains choline, a substance that helps prevent fat from being deposited in the liver. Dandelion roots are particularly beneficial for the liver, while the leaves have a more pronounced effect on the kidneys as an “aquaretic” (it does not deplete potassium, but actually adds potassium to the body). It is also rich in many other vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C and beta carotene, calcium, iron, manganese, and phosphorus.

Avoid picking dandelion leaves from lawns where chemical fertilizer was used. It is always best to collect wild foods in clean areas, away from traffic and pesticides.

Every part of this plant can be used as food and medicine. Dandelion can be juiced and added to smoothies: For salads, it’s best to mix with other milder-tasting spring greens.  However, if you don’t mind a slightly bitter tang, you can try a dandelion salad with 1 grated carrot, and 1-2 cloves of garlic.  Add a fruity vinaigrette or a sweet and sour dressing made with yoghurt, lemon juice, pepper, salt, garlic, and a little raw honey. Like any greens, dandelion leaves and roots.can be  sautéed or stir-fried   Leaves can also be blended for soups. And you can make “coffee” from roasted roots.

Burdock

One of the best plants for cleansing, burdock is a wonderful digestive herb that supports liver function and detoxification, reduces liver inflammation, heals liver cells in fatty liver disease, and stimulates stomach acid production. It helps lymphatic flow and elimination of wastes from the tissues through the lymphatic system. It is a gentle diuretic and reduces water accumulation in extremities and around joints.  It promotes healthy bowel flora and is healing for the intestinal lining. It’s also a great source of fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals. It can be added to green smoothies and juices.  You can use it as you would any root vegetable.: It can be sautéed,  mixed with greens; added to pureed vegetables; or used in soups. It can be dehydrated as chips or made into a tea.  You can also use the leaf and root for infusion for baths.

TODAY’S RECIPE

27862306_lSweet Spring Cleansing Smoothie

  • 1 pear, Bartlett or Asian
  • 1 apple
  • 1 large handful dandelion greens
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • 1/4 cup flax seeds.
  • 6 ice cubes (optional)

Place all ingredients in a blender and process until a creamy shake.

Serves 2

From The Juice Lady’s Living Foods Revolution

9 comments

  1. Paula Barnes

    Can a liver/gallbladder cleanse be done safely when one has had a cholecystectomy?

    • I don’t know why not, but you may need to check with a holistic doctor.

  2. The picture shows kiwi. Was that to have been part of the recipe?

    • I didn’t have kiwi in the recipe but you can add it.

  3. Dawn McCoy

    Hi. I have a friend with an uncle that suffers and is dying from Agent Orange from Vietnam. Would detoxing his colon, kidneys and liver provide him any hope of recovery? He was sent to hospice to die but remarkably was sent home this past Friday. Any advice would be greatly appreciated by his family. BTW, watched The Truth About Cancer and it changed my life. I’m trying to share everything Ive learned with everyone I know. Thank you so much for changing my life.

    • Detoxing would be excellent for this uncle. It is hopeful for him if he can get the toxins out of his body. My class 30-day detoxing is starting now. He can still join.

  4. dora luevano

    i am interested in juicing wild foods. How do I identify them so i can be sure I didn’t juice a plant that might do me harm.
    Thank you for your response.
    dora

    • there aren’t many plants that would harm you. Some herbs perhaps. Not carrot tops or rhubarb leaves, and no peels of oranges or grapefruit.

  5. I am pregnant, currently in my 17weeks. can I juice wild herbs while I am pregnant? what kind of vegetables and herbs are safe for a pregnant woman to juice? is there any information I can find from your book or from your website?