Loving Your Liver!
I love this time of year!
Spring is a time of renewal both in nature and for our health.
In both Chinese and Western medicine the Spring is connected to the liver and the gallbladder. These two organs are your ‘work horses’ for blood cleansing and with over 500 metabolic processes, the liver is your master detoxer!
Your liver wakes up in the Spring!
Making this a natural time to think about hitting the dietary reset button. There is no right way to spring clean your diet, you just need to pick a starting point. Choose foods that support your body’s natural detoxification process and that fuel your life force…your prana…your chi.
I’m a big fan of eating with the seasons and this one habit alone goes a long way in supporting your body’s natural cleansing process. I’ve come to realize firsthand just how significantly we’re affected by what we put into our bodies at different times of the year. So to smoothly adjust to the new season, here some suggestions for ideal Spring foods to start adding to your diet.
Asparagus is one of the celebrated veggies of spring. Not only is it one of the first vegetables to make itself known in the garden, but asparagus is one of the Spring foods that gives our body the boost it needs to recover from the chill of winter. Asparagus helps cleanse the kidneys and reduces water retention. It is also a rich source of folate as well as high in glutathione, a vital antioxidant for detox.
Spring brings with it wonderful dark leafy greens like kale, swiss chard and spinach. All are wonderful choices for the liver. Other Spring crops that are especially productive in assisting the detoxification process include:
Artichoke…
is a wonderful choice for the liver and the gallbladder because it increases bile flow.
Dandelion…
stimulates the digestive juices. This pesky lawn weed helps to digest fats and supports the body’s natural detoxification processes. You can juice with dandelion leaves, cook with dandelion leaves and drink dandelion tea. Spring is the ideal time to benefit from dandelion greens, as they become bitter in the summer.
Garlic…
is antibacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-cancer. Garlic is one of the best antioxidants and is a huge help in the detoxification process.
Nettles…
are rich in antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and a natural source of iron. Nettle is also fabulous for strengthening the liver, adrenals and kidneys. Wonderful in tea form, can be taken up to 3 times a day for extra nourishment during detox.
Peas…
are rich in vegan protein and packed with essential nutrients. An ideal food to substitute for heavier protein sources during a detox or a liver cleansing diet.