Table Of ContentCONTENTS
Cover Image
Title Page
How Well Does Your Liver Function? A Self-Diagnosis Checklist
Introduction: The Importance of a Healthy Liver
Part 1: Understanding the Liver and How It Works
Chapter 1: Why Detoxify Your Liver?
THE CONCEPT OF TERRAIN
IDEAL TERRAIN
HOW TOXINS MAKE US SICK
ILLNESS CAUSED BY AN OVERLOAD OF TOXINS
WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF TOXINS?
THE EMUNCTORY ORGANS: EXIT DOORS FOR
TOXINS
DRAINING TOXINS
THE ROLE OF THE LIVER
Chapter 2: Anatomy of the Liver
THE LIVER REVEALED
THE LIVER AND THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
THE LIVER AND THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
THE LIVER AND THE INTESTINES
Chapter 3: Role and Function of the Liver
AN ORGAN WITH MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS
HOW THE LIVER WORKS
Chapter 4: Diseases of the Liver
LIVER DEFICIENCY
BILE STONES
VARIETIES OF HEPATITIS
CIRRHOSIS
SEVERAL DISEASES CAUSED BY POOR LIVER
FUNCTION
Part 2: How to Detoxify Your Liver
Chapter 5: Dietary Reform
FOODS TO ELIMINATE
THE LIVER-FRIENDLY DIET
EAT AS MUCH AS YOU DESIRE
EAT IN MODERATION
EAT IN SMALL QUANTITIES
THE DETOXIFYING DIET
HOW VITAMINS CAN HELP
Chapter 6: Medicinal Plants for Liver Health
THE ACTION OF HEPATIC PLANTS
NINE HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PLANTS FOR
DETOXIFYING THE LIVER
TREATMENTS FOR GALLSTONES
Chapter 7: Stimulating the Liver with Heat, Exercise, and
Massage
HOT-WATER BOTTLE
EXERCISES FOR THE LIVER
MASSAGE
Chapter 8: Treating the Liver via the Intestines
RESTORING NORMAL INTESTINAL TRANSIT
Chapter 9: Treatment Protocols
THE SIMPLE REMEDY
THE SIMPLE LONG TREATMENT
THE SHORT INTENSIVE TREATMENT
THE LONG INTENSIVE TREATMENT
Footnotes
About the Author
About Inner Traditions • Bear & Company
Books of Related Interest
Copyright & Permissions
Index
HOW WELL DOES YOUR LIVER
FUNCTION?
A Self-Diagnosis Checklist
M
ost of us don’t have a very clear idea of where the liver is located in our
bodies, never mind what roles it plays in our bodily functions.
Indigestion? Bad breath? It’s a common misconception that these and
other symptoms are rooted in the stomach or intestines, and it’s equally common
to believe that some kind of prescription or over-the-counter medication will fix
them. Sure, you can drink a fizzy tablet dissolved in water and feel better in the
short term, but to truly restore your body to health, you’ll need to look to the
liver.
A good place to start is to evaluate how well your liver is functioning right
now:
I regularly experience digestive problems. Yes No
Eggs or pastries make me feel nauseous. Yes No
I tend to get drowsy after a meal. Yes No
My tongue is often coated when I wake up in the morning. Yes No
I often have bad breath. Yes No
I regularly experience gas and bloating. Yes No
I’m often constipated. Yes No
I have hemorrhoids. Yes No
The whites of my eyes have a yellowish cast. Yes No
I feel tired and low energy all day long. Yes No
I get headaches on a regular basis. Yes No
I get hives when I overeat. Yes No
I like large meals. Yes No
I often eat fried foods or dishes with sauce or gravy. Yes No
I drink alcohol on a regular basis. Yes No
I smoke tobacco. Yes No
Analysis of the Answers
If you have no more than two “yes” answers, your liver is most likely
functioning well, but there are many useful things this book can teach you in
order to keep it in optimal working order.
Three to five “yes” answers indicate that your liver has trouble performing its
job, and steps should be taken to detoxify it.
If you have more than six “yes” answers, these are not healthy conditions. Your
liver is overburdened and it would be smart to detoxify it as soon as you are
able.
Caution!
Liver diseases that are not treated properly can have serious consequences for your
health. The advice and recommendations provided in this book are not intended to replace
the care and treatment of a skilled medical practitioner. If you are not sure about
something, or if your condition is serious, please seek prompt medical attention.
INTRODUCTION
THE IMPORTANCE OF A HEALTHY
LIVER
I regularly suffer from digestive problems. I do not seem to be able to eat a
number of foods without discomfort. I feel heavy and often experience stomach
pains, as well as headaches. I often feel tired and lack enthusiasm. Furthermore,
I have acne and I’m often constipated . . .
S
top! How long are you going to tolerate these problems? You may believe
they are inevitable and there is nothing you can do about them, but they are
all only symptoms of an overtaxed liver. By cleansing and detoxifying your
liver, eliminating all the wastes, fats, and toxins that overburden it, you will
regenerate it. This will allow you to get rid of all those tedious problems and you
will recover both your health and vitality.
Physical health depends on the good functioning of all the body’s organs.
When just one of these organs becomes weak, the entire body suffers. Although
each and every organ is vitally important, the liver is particularly crucial since it
clears the way for the other organs to do their jobs. It is the first line of defense
in confronting toxins and toxic substances that enter the organism from outside,
which makes it the primary defender and protector of the body.
When the liver is unable to perform its given task, the organic cellular
terrain becomes increasingly saturated with unwanted substances. According to
the principles of natural medicine, this collection of harmful substances is the
starting point for the vast majority of our diseases, because the body is under
attack and therefore prevented from functioning properly.
We live in a culture that promotes overeating, overmedication, and
widespread consumption of stimulants. We also have significant amounts of
environmental pollution coming from our air, water, pesticides in our food, and
toxic substances in everyday products that have become nearly impossible to
avoid. All of these elements place a heavy demand upon the liver, causing it to
