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This week’s edition will be about the Liver. This is
probably one of the most important organs in the body in my opinion next
to the most obvious ones. (Heart, Brain, Lungs) It can be the seat of many
conditions in the body if not working properly. Since this will be on the
Liver, I think it only fitting that our herb of the week be Milk Thistle.
The article I’ll be using comes from Steven H. Horne who is President of
the American Herbalist Guild and it covers milk thistle as well as sheds
some light on some of the other thistles as well.
All of you know the drill by now. Pass this around to
anyone that you think could use this information. Feel free to post it,
copy it, trash it, or whatever you think would be the best use for it in
your situation. All I ask is that if you copy it or post it somewhere,
please leave it in it’s original condition or format.
The next bit of information is that I am not a Doctor
and this information is not to be used in place of proper medical
treatment. It is for educational purposes and also to inform about the
traditional uses of a few herbs. If you decide to use this information to
self-treat yourself, please do so with full knowledge and support of your
doctor or health care provider.
CONTENTS
The Liver
Interesting facts
Thistles
The Liver
The liver is part of two systems of the body. The
digestive system (exocrine) and also the glandular system (endocrine). It
is considered to be both an organ and a gland. It is triangular in shape,
weighs in at about 3 ½ pounds, and is located in the upper right
abdominal cavity just beneath the diaphragm and the ribs. The liver has a
known 561 functions, so needless to say, we won’t be going into all of
them. We will however, go into the most common functions. The most common
being that it aids in the digestive process by helping out with bile
production. Some of the other functions include filtering blood and
hormones, and helping in the process of detoxifying the body, and the
regulation of hormones.
Symptoms or health conditions that could indicate a
problem with the liver include a loss of energy and possibly appetite,
nausea, slight fever, tenderness and pain in the upper right portion of
the abdominal area could indicate infectious hepatitis. Poor night vision,
clotty or heavy periods, enlarged prostate, cancer of the cervix, uterine
cancer, cancer of the ovaries, breasts, or bones, as well as poor sleeping
patterns can all be signs of poor liver function.
Fats, drugs, and chemicals are just a few of the things
that can interfere with proper liver function. While avoiding chemical
absorption, eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, regular
exercise, massage, clay packs, low fat diet, castor oil packs, and in some
cases a liver flush are all things that can help to improve liver
function.
Location of the Liver in different Modalities:
Reflexology:
On the right foot almost halfway down the foot from the pinkie
toe.
Iridology:
In the right eye only at 7:40 to 7:50 not touching the autonomic
nerve wreath. Brown splotches (psora) anywhere in the eye could be an
indication of liver weakness. If a true blue eye is brown, liver could be
involved.
Kinesiology:
Locate the 7th and 8th ribs and place 5
fingers between them on the right side of the body.
Conditions associated with a Hyperactive (overactive)
Liver:
High cholesterol – this is an indication that the liver is stressed
causing an overproduction of cholesterol.
Conditions associated with a Hypoactive (underactive)
Liver:
Poor digestion, gassiness, bloating, strain on the pancreas such as
diabetes or hypoglycemia, and female problems.
Additional Information you may find useful or
interesting:
A weakened liver often cannot convert beta-carotene
into vitamin A.
Cholesterol medicine is designed to slow the livers
production of cholesterol and in doing so slows down all functions of the
liver.
Dark circles under the eyes or yellow in the whites of
the eyes or yellowish skin can indicate liver problems.
Sodium is a very soothing mineral to the liver.
Gallbladder removal puts additional stress on the
liver.
If supplementing with vitamins A, D, or E they should
be taken with a protein because they are fat-soluble vitamins and not
water-soluble. This will make them more effective.
Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs, and other supplements for
the Liver:
Vitamins:
A, B-12
(this is stored in the liver), Niacin,
C, and
E.
Minerals:
Iron,
Potassium, Chlorine,
Iodine, Magnesium,
Sodium, and Copper.
Herbs:
Cascara Sagrada – helps increase the secretion of bile.
Dandelion – feeds the liver and is also a blood
purifier.
Fennel – Potassium, sulfur, and sodium are a few of
its constituents. Sodium soothes the liver.
Milk Thistle – stimulates the liver.
Mullein – helps with internal inflammation.
Safflowers – aids a sluggish liver.
Saw Palmetto – for bacteria in the liver.
White Oak Bark – helps prevent infection and
normalizes liver function.
Yellow Dock – high in Iron, used to support the liver
during hepatis.
Herbal Combinations (Nature’s Sunshine Products):
Mood
Elevator – a combination of Chinese herbs used for cirrhosis and also to
strengthen the liver.
Gall
Bladder Formula – a Dr. John Christopher formula used for
bloating, liver, gas. Stimulates liver function.
Blood
Build, Chinese – a Chinese herb combination used as a blood
purifier. Builds and detoxifies the liver.
BP-X – Dr. John Christopher’s formula for
purifying the blood and for psoriasis.
LIV-J
–
cleanses, restores liver function, also
used if having hormone induced problems.
Liver
Balance, Chinese – a combination of Chinese herbs used for
liver stress and inflammation.
Milk Thistle Combination –
detoxifies and builds
the liver.
Other Supplements for the Liver:
Lecithin – helps to prevent fatty build-up in the liver and is used
by every cell in the
body.
Castor Oil Packs
– used to help feed and soothe
the liver.
UV (ultraviolet) Sun rays –
helps to clean out bulirubin.
Cholesterol Foods
– 80% of your cholesterol
supply should come from the diet. Taking cholesterol out of the diet
increases the stress on the liver by forcing it to produce more
cholesterol. This may cause the liver to overcompensate and cause high
cholesterol.
Questions to ask yourself: A Yes Answer could indicate
Are
you allergic to fat? You could possibly be deficient in natural
sulfur. (onions, garlic,
etc.)
If you are diabetic, is your sugar high in the
morning? Liver is not able to hold on to sugar but releases it
indiscriminately.
Do you wake up during the night (regularly) about 2 to 4 in the morning
and then go back to sleep? The liver may be trying to detoxify.
Do you have sore breasts, heavy, or clotty periods?
The liver may be toxic or weak and cannot regulate hormones.
Do you have poor night vision? The liver may be too
weak to produce vitamin A (Castor oil Packs may be needed).
Do you have macular degeneration? A selenium
deficiency may be the problem.
Interesting Facts
A study showed that soy sauce inhibited platelet aggregation (which
causes blood clots). It produced a 50% inhibition of platelet aggregation
response, which had been caused by the hormone, epinephrine,
platelet-activating factor, collagen, adenosine 5’-diphosphate, and
thrombin, respectively. Its inhibitory effect was much greater than that
of 1-methyl-beta-carboline on platelet aggregation by all the tested
casual agents. The significant amounts of both anti-platelet compounds
were uniformly contained in commercially available soy sauce. From these
results, soy sauce may be referred to as functional seasoning containing
alkaloidal components with the potent preventive effect on the formation
of blood clots.
Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, 1999, vol. 34, iss. 5, pp.
690-693
If you take CoQ10 as a supplement, here is something you might like to
know if you are also doing any
cholesterol lowering drugs. There is an increasingly popular
class of cardiovascular drugs that will interfere with the body’s synthesis of CoQ10. The drugs in question are the
"statins" (these are drugs with
names ending in "statin"), and they are very widely used to help
lower cholesterol levels. The action
of the "statins" has been found to be nonspecific. They
inhibit CoQ10 synthesis along with cholesterol synthesis, which significantly reduces CoQ10 blood levels. A
recent study documented increased oxidation
of LDL cholesterol after six weeks of lovastatin therapy, believed to result from lower CoQ10 levels.
Life Extension Magazine, April, 2000, pp.22-23
Thistles: Prickly Protector
By Steven H. Horne, AHG
Thelonius Sisil, the successful thistle sifter, thrust three thousand
thistles through the thick of his thumb…
So goes the tongue twister my dad used to recite, which emphasizes one
of the chief "signatures" of thistles, their prickly nature.
Thorns and thistles are a plants way of protecting itself against being
eaten and thistles are plants which really "stick" up for
themselves.
Thistles have to protect themselves because they are very nutritious.
All species of thistles are edible, but eating them is a challenge. When I
harvest a thistle stock to munch on, I chop down the stem and carefully
peel the prickles off. Some species are better than others. My favorite is
the Elk or Meadow thistle (Cisium foliosum) which grows in damp
places and has a juicy stem reminiscent of celery. In spite of their
edibility, thistles aren’t much appreciated. As any farmer or gardener
who’s experienced them knows, thistles are hard to get rid of. They
resist chemical poisoning and are even difficult to dig up. So, thistle is
a hearty plant and has a strong protective medicine.
The most popular specie of thistle in the herbal community right now is
milk thistle (Silybum marianum). It is also known as St. Mary’s
Thistle, the white veins being associated with the breast milk of the
virgin mother. The reason this herb is so popular is because of serious
medical research, which proves its ability to protect the liver against a
wide range of chemical poisons. Research suggests it protects the body
against alcohol, drugs, solvents (like paint thinner), and even the deadly
amanita mushrooms. In fact, it is one of the only known cures for amanita
poisoning.
The plant part most commonly used medically is the seeds. Research
suggests that the hepato-protective (liver protecting) effect of milk
thistle is mostly due to a group of flavonoids collectively known as silymarin.
Because of this, many companies use a standardized extract of milk thistle
seed, usually standardized to 70-80% silymarin.
Research shows that milk thistle helps the liver break down and excrete
poisons. It also helps liver cells regenerate faster. An antioxidant
effect is also a part of the herbs actions. The bitter tasting plant
promotes the flow of bile and helps to decongest blood circulation in the
liver. Based on these properties, historical uses for milk thistle
include: soothing an acid stomach, stimulating weak digestion, easing gas
and diarrhea, and helping to relieve coughs, bronchitis, varicose veins,
psoriasis, and other skin diseases.
Silybum, or milk thistle, is the principle herb in the NSP (Nature’s
Sunshine Products) combination, Milk Thistle Combination (formerly
LIV-Guard
or LIV-GD in Canada). This formula of standardized milk thistle extract
(80% silymarin), dandelion, beta-carotene, vitamin C, iron, choline
bitartrate, and inositol does exactly what it’s name suggests; it helps
to guard the liver. It is very useful for helping people exposed to
pesticides, heavy metals, radiation, drugs (both street and prescription),
alcohol, or almost any chemical. This formula is also one of the best bets
in the NSP product line for hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver. (However,
in these life-threatening diseases, medical supervision is advised).
Although you don’t hear much about it, the name suggests and
historical used confirms that the plant enriches breast milk and increases
its production. It shares this benefit with another of the thistle
species, blessed thistle (Cnicus benedictus). Lactating mothers
would do well to consider taking either thistle in conjunction with
marshmallow and/or red raspberry.
Blessed thistle
is less publicized than milk thistle, but it has long
been prized in the NSP community. It has a reputation for clearing up
painful menstruation and headaches associated with female problems. It
probably has much of the same liver-protecting effect as milk thistle and
is thought to increase oxygen supply to the heart and brain.
My favorite explanation of the action of thistle (milk thistle
specifically) comes from Michael Moore, an incredible herbalist from the
southwest with many years of practical, clinical experience. He likens
taking milk thistle to doing routine maintenance on your body’s furnace,
blowing out the vents, changing the filters, and cooling down your
overloaded thermostat. He also explains how milk thistle’s ability to
aid blood circulation to the liver helps prevent prostate enlargement,
varicose veins, hemorrhoids, pelvic congestion, and so forth. You can read
the details in Medicinal Plants of the Desert and Canyon West.
So, the next time the thistle "bites you" or pops up in your
lawn or garden, don’t put more poisons in the environment. Dig up that
weed and eat it. Its medicine power can help your body resist the numerous
poisons in our modern world.
Of course, if you don’t want to mess with preparing it, dig it up
anyway (instead of using chemicals), and then take it as a sign you need a
few capsules of the prickly protector to strengthen you liver against the
herbicides your neighbor is using.
Nature’s Field, March/April 1998, vol. 14 no.2, pp.12
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