Spring Into Your Best Self

From Doctor Karen Williams: Herbs, Juices, Detox, and Home

Its almost springtime so now is a good time of year to make a fresh start so let’s begin with some spring cleaning.  Start with a thorough cleanse of the house. Wash all bedding, steam clean all carpets and use natural home cleaners when possible. Eliminate the clutter that no longer serves you, have a garage sale or donate to your favorite organization. 

Next, it’s time to cleanse the body. In Chinese Medicine, springtime is associated with the element wood and its associated organs are the liver and gallbladder. These organs are responsible for digestion and processing many of the substances that enter our body. The liver also makes bile which is a substance that aids digestion and the gallbladder stores the bile to be used in the intestines to break down fats.  The liver stores the blood and is responsible for filtering toxins and then in breaking them down for elimination. Therefore, it is important to keep the liver from being taxed and overloaded because the ability to detoxify the blood will be compromised. That is why it is important to keep the liver in a healthy state. Substances such as alcohol, chemicals, drugs, and even overeating unhealthy foods can lead to an overworked and enlarged liver. 

What can you do to keep your liver healthy? Here are a few tips: 

• Maintain a moderate weight: Being overweight can increase the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.  

• Stay active and avoid a sedentary lifestyle: Exercising regularly can help lower triglycerides and reduce liver fat.  

• Moderate alcohol intake: Consuming high amounts of alcohol can negatively affect liver function and cause liver damage.  

• Add lemon to water: Lemons are an ideal liver food because they are high in VIT C, K and other minerals. By nature, lemons are astringent which tighten and contract tissues and helps to clear toxins from tissue and organs. 

• Consume antioxidant-rich beverages that can help support liver health. In particular, some studies in humans and animals suggest that tea, coffee, and beetroot juice may help promote liver function  

• Explore herbs to support the liver and achieve optimal liver health 

Milk Thistle is a powerful herb for liver support. Its active ingredient, silymarin, is a potent antioxidant that shields the liver from damage while promoting liver cell regeneration.  

Dandelion Root has been used to support liver health. The root has a bitter taste that stimulates the liver to produce bile, which helps eliminate toxins from the body.  

Turmeric’s active ingredient is curcumin which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a valuable herb for liver support and detoxification.  

There are also herbs that can improve liver function by reducing inflammation, increasing bile production, breaking down fats and hormones. 

Burdock Root has been used for centuries to support liver health. It has active compounds that have been found to detoxify heavy metals from the blood. It also increases blood circulation and helps induce lymphatic drainage and detoxification. Its compounds also help break down fats and hormones, which are important for liver function. 

Yellow Dock supports liver health by improving bile production and eliminating toxins from the body. This herb is also rich in antioxidants, which protect the liver from damage. 

Herbs can also protect the liver from damage, scavenging free radicals, and reducing inflammation. 

Licorice Root or Gan Cao is a sweet herb has been used for centuries to support liver health. Its compounds reduce inflammation and protect the liver from damage. Licorice root is also a natural detoxifier, removing harmful toxins from the body. 

Schisandra Berry or wu wei zi is a plant from China that supports liver health by scavenging free radicals and improving liver function. It’s also a natural adaptogen, reducing stress and improving overall health. 

What foods are good for liver repair? 

Many foods contain specific compounds or antioxidants that have been shown to support liver function. A few examples include citrus, blueberries, cherries, fatty fish, olives, olive oil, vinegar and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli or cauilflowers. 

Although our bodies are designed to efficiently eliminate toxins, the amount of pollutants we encounter every day can tax our natural detoxification systems. It’s best to maintain a healthy diet and avoid toxins all the time, but if you’re looking for a spring jump start, try the master cleanse below. Please note: Detox regimens are intended for short-term use. Always consult your health practitioner before changing your diet or health program, particularly if you have a pre-existing health condition. 

The Master Cleanse is a body detoxing program that was created by naturopath Stanley Borough’s. He believed that toxicity is at the root of all illnesses and created this program to eliminate toxins to begin the healing process.  

He realized that most all people had undigested, backed up waste in their body, which created a host of illnesses. He discovered that cleansing was the answer and created this drink to help people cleanse healthfully.  

It literally eliminates pounds of waste in a matter of days. It also helps with weight loss and tonifies organs in your body, freeing your systems up to work effectively and efficiently. It’s a great way to begin clearing up any existing health issues. 

2 Tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon 

1-2 Tablespoons 100% maple syrup 

1/10 teaspoon cayenne pepper 

8 ounces spring water 

Drink several glasses throughout the day, at least six glasses for one week 

From Dr. Kelsey Crow: The Wood Element

Now that we have talked a lot about the properties of liver and gallbladder, I want to touch a little more on what Wood means from a Chinese medicine standpoint.  

This is the time of the year that green starts to sprout again. It is the renewal of yang coming back with the presence of more light. Yin/yang theory 

The characteristics of wood: 

• Sound is shouting 

• Emotion is anger 

• The Flavor is sour 

• The healing tone is SHHHH 

The goal of spring energy is uplifting and raising the chi or energy of the body. You do this by eating fresh/young produce. Examples of this are young plants, fresh microgreens, immature wheat and grains. It is best to avoid food that sink energy such as salty foods, rich meats and heavy foods.  

This is a time to eat pungent herbs: like mint, dill, rosemary, basil, fennel, and bay leaf. Raw onions and garlic are a staple for cleansing and clearing this time of year as well, especially for parasites.  

Food preparation is also important, this is the time to cook foods on higher heats for a shorter amount of time. Time to sauté your meals. 

The pathogen of wood is wind. So what is wind? Liver is known to help the smooth flow of chi... that's its job. When wind invades it means that everything is kinda topsy turvy. You can get energy flowing in a way that it is not suppose to. So what symptoms that wind has invaded or that your liver and gallbladder need support?  

• You have the emotions of frustration, anger, irritability and turmoil 

• GB is important for the tendons of the body. So, people can get rigidity, joint issues, paralysis and numbness  

• Other symptoms are headaches, dizziness, and stroke 

Here are some exercises to help support the gallbladder and liver.  

• Glute bridges- if possible put your hands on the feet. 

• Overhead stretches to the sides with inhalation. Done either standing or sitting