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Cleansing the liver and gall bladder
It surprises me that many people who approach
the raw food diet with the intention to cleanse,
heal and rejuvenate don’t realise that there
are two fundamentally different types of cleansing
or detoxification which take place in the body.
These two can be referred to as micro level and
macro level cleansing. The micro cleansing is
what happens at the cellular level and which is
rapidly enhanced by a raw diet or juice fasting.
The macro cleansing refers to the major organs
of elimination, the kidneys, the liver, colon
and skin which are continuously working to clean
our bodies no matter what we are eating.
In many people the liver becomes weakened over
time by longterm eating of acid forming foods
such as meat, sugar, white flour, foods cooked
in oil etc. and many people believe that more
than any other organ, the liver is also affected
by negative thoughts and feelings.
In addition to this, some researchers have estimated
that 80% of us are carrying around ‘stones’
formed out of hardened cholesterol and calcium
which can clog the liver and its neighbour organ,
the gall bladder. These stones can seriously impede
the effective functioning of the gall and liver.
Fortunatly we now have the opportunity to learn
about the proper care and maintenance of these
organs and hopefully prevent the type of situation
that could lead to expensive and painful surgery
(eg gall bladder removal) later in life!
Although certain raw foods have an affinity for
enhancing the functions of particular organs,
it can happen that adopting a detoxifying raw
food diet, can actually place a greater stress
on these organs, if they are already weak, making
them less rather than more efficient. This is
because most of the detoxification is happening
at the cells with all the old garbage being dumped
into the bloodstream. The organs which are already
burdened and sluggish from years of less than
optimal eating, find they have to work extra hard
to keep up with the increased waste and are often
not quite up to the job.
However, much can be done to assist the organs
to relieve them of their debris and improve their
functioning. For the colon this could be colonics
or herbal programmes to remove mucoid plaque,
or with the liver and gall which are the subject
of this article, flushing of stones can often
be a very practical and simple way of taking a
leap forward towards greater health. Most people
that complete a ‘flush’ immediately
notice an improvement in their digestion and a
general increase in overall energy and well being.
What the liver and gall do
The liver which is the largest organ in the body
weighing up to 2 kilos, is situated underneath
the bottom of the right ribcage and has many functions,
including the manufacturing and converting vitamins
into a usable form, producing important enzymes,
neutralising poisons, metabolising protein, carbohydrates
and fats, storing protein, storing glycogen as
well as playing an essential role in red blood
cell production.
The gall bladder is a smaller pear shaped organ
situated immediately beneath the liver and its
main function is to collect and concentrate the
bile that the body uses to digest fats. Bile is
a substance made in the liver cells consisting
of water, electrolytes, cholesterol, phospholipids
(lecithin), bile acids and bile pigments (bilirubin).
When you eat a meal that contains fat, the gallbladder
releases bile into the small intestine. The bile
breaks down the fat so the body’s tissues
can absorb it, also enabling absorption of fat-soluble
nutrients such as vitamins A, D, E and K.
Problems can occur with the gall bladder when
the liver is producing toxic bile. If the liver
is under stress it may also produce inadequate
bile or the bile may not flow properly. Too much
cholesterol in the bile results in the formation
of the stones. These stones, which vary from sand
sized gravel to larger pea or thumbnail sized
globs and vary in colour from yellow, green to
black, can clog up the gall bladder and block
the bile ducts causing nausea, abdominal pain,
indigestion and inflammation. This situation is
created and made worse by an improper diet.
Liver flushing – how to do it
Although different methods exist to purge the
liver and gall of stones, the basic principle
common to all, is that by consuming a large quantity
of oil on an empty stomach the liver and gall
are shocked into a spasm which expels the stones.
The stones then roll into the colon and end up
in the toilet a few or many hours later.
One of the most well known approaches to liver
and gall flushing is the method outlined by Hulda
Clark who is best known for her research into
parasites and frequency medicine (with zappers)
and wrote the book “The Cure for all Diseases”.
This conventional approach involves drinking epsom
salt solution and then olive oil mixed with grapefruit
juice.
The epsom salts have a function of opening the
bile ducts so stones have an easier passage out
and also have a laxative effect to help the whole
process along. This method is the most speedy
approach that I have come across for getting the
job over and done with. There are specific recommendations
for every aspect of the cleanse including fasting
from 2pm of the day of the flush, and specific
times for taking the epsom salts and drinking
the oil.
David Jubb who is a well respected raw food (Lifefood)
teacher located in New York City, presents a more
in depth programme which includes three consecutive
liver/gall flushes within a ‘14 day Nutritional
Fast’ of blended raw foods and adjuncts
such as percussion (tapping the liver with your
hand) to loosen the stones, and castor oil packs
to soften the stones, as well as a dietary and
supplement protocol. Detailed information may
be found in the book “Life Food Recipe Book
– Living on Life Force” by Annie Padden
Jubb and David Jubb PH.D.
Part of the prepatory treatment is that for 3-4
days you drink a couple tablespoons of apple cider
vinegar several times a day (mixed with water
or apple juice) and the malic acid in it will
soften the stones. You might also use malic acid
tablets. On the day of the flushes you drink (for
the gallbladder) 240 – 300 ml (8-10 ounces)
of straight olive oil, 120-180ml (4-6 ounces)
if it's your first time, alternating with sips
from half as much straight lemon juice. For the
liver flush it's 120-180ml (4-6 ounces) of oil.
An alternative herbal laxatives or oxy-magnesium
is recommended as a substitute for the epsom salts,
and then to follow up the flush with a coffee
enema. Whilst Hulda advises taking the oil at
night, the Jubbs actually say to do it at 3pm
because that's when the gallbladder is most active.
There are also recommendations for nourishment
after the fast saying that it is good to consume
foods that will act as a broom, clearing oil and
debris out of the digestive tract. A blended raw
soup with flax crackers or electrolyte lemonade
(blended lemon, oil, pear/apple, seasalt and sweetener
such as honey) with ground flax also works well.
Annie Jubb recommends taking enzymes after the
oil which will help it move out of the stomach
quickly and help counteract any nausea.
They say that the average person needs to do
between 6-14 of the 14 day cleanses to completely
clean out and restore the gallbladder and liver.
Hulda says it is possible to repeat cleanses 2
weeks apart and that a person may eventually get
rid of 2000 stones. When studying your own results
be aware that some of the gravel like substance
that is released may not be stones, but could
be saponified oil which forms little balls when
it is hit by the acid that is released from the
gall bladder.
Other variations and tips
Many practioners are in agreement that some preparation
such as the apple cider vinegar to soften the
stones is advisable before flushing, and in some
cases softening and reducing the stones over a
many month period.
Hulda Clark also recommends completing a parasite
cleanse programme prior to flushing, saying the
liver (and stones) can harbour ‘nests’
of harmful bacteria, cysts, viruses and parasites.
The most successful flush I have ever done, was
on the 4th day of juice fasting, after consuming
a lot of vegetable and fruit (including apple)
juice. I substituted the epsom salts for a herbal
laxative product available in Holland called Groene
Poeder which contains Folia Sennae Pulvis, Radix
Liquuritiae pulvis and Semen Foeniculii pulvis.
I later tried again using the herbs instead of
epsom salts, but without the prior juice fast
it was probably the least effective cleanse I
have done. My experience with Hulda Clark’s
method twice was effective but at times during
it and afterwards I felt quite rough.
Maintaining healthy liver, bile, gall function
Many dietary factors have an influence on the
optimal working of the liver and gall. Without
adequate protein, the liver won’t produce
enough bile for the body to digest fats and allow
nutrient absorption.
Contrary to popular belief, dietary cholesterol
(as opposed to cholesterol made by your liver)
is not an important risk factor for gallstones.
Good quality essential fats are very important
to keep the gall bladder in good working order.
Although a high fat diet can burden the liver,
low or no fat diets are not advisable. Vegetarian
unheated (truly cold pressed) oils such as flaxseed
are an excellent source of essential fatty acids,
healing liver cell membranes and assisting in
reducing inflammation.
Detoxifying foods and their juices that are good
for the liver include chlorophyll rich wheat and
barley grasses, kale, parsley, alfalfa, spinach
and cabbage. Vitamin C is protective and healing
for the liver and spirulina is a recommended superfood
to support liver function.
Lemon features in many juice, smoothie and tea
recipes advised for benefitting the liver. This
is because it acts as an astringent cleanser and
is stimulating to liver function.
Herbs such as dandelion (paardebloem in Dutch)
(latin: Taraxacum sp) and milk thistle (maria
distel in Dutch) (Latin: Silybum sp) have a regenerating
effect on the liver. Dandelion will also help
to prevent gallstones and may actually help to
dissolve them. Dandelion increases bile production
and causes the gallbladder to contract to expel
any small stones and gravel. It also increases
the amount of cheneoxycholic acid which over time
dissolves the stones.
In conclusion
Many people including myself, who are actively
creating an optimal life for themselves, are exploring
these and other techniques available for deep
purification and health creation. The type of
methods described above are generally considered
safe for someone in a normal condition and therefore
useful for someone wishing to implement preventative
measures or to maximise a healthy lifestyle. It
is my experience that this sort of cleansing is
a relatively effortless way to get rid of some
of the debris of a previous lifestyle and to reap
much greater benefits from a raw and living foods
lifestyle. I hope I have provided enough information
to help you be better aquainted with your essential
liver and gall and given you some inspiration
to think about their care and maintenance.
In health!
Diana Store, April 2007
Recommended resource:
http://www.curezone.com/cleanse/liver/huldas_recipe.asp
Disclaimer
If you are already in a position of having a problematic
gall bladder or liver it is always recommended
to find a solution under the guidance of a qualified
practitioner. The above information is not intended
as medical advice and merely to provide information
and to open a window onto what is available and
to hopefully inspire you to undertake further
research before deciding if this is interesting
for you.
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