One of the most common e-mails I receive goes something like this: “How do I cleanse my liver? Do you have any liver cleanse recipes? How do you do a liver flush? Is it safe?” So instead of sending out a hundred emails on the topic, I decided to write it all out for everyone’s benefit and share the wonders of flushing out and regenerating your liver!
Why Do a Liver Cleanse?
Our liver is a phenomenal organ and a true hardworking hustler when it comes to keeping things in order.
Every day, our liver:
• Manages our blood sugar levels• Produces, filters, conjugates, deconjugates, and regulates our hormones• Creates bile to break down fats so that the body can assimilate fat-soluble vitamins• Metabolizes alcohol and medications• Produces and secretes vital protein components for blood plasma which are essential for blood clotting• Maintains our electrolyte balance• Filters 1.4 liters of blood per minute!
That’s a lot of vital processes our body needs on a daily basis for vibrant health and well-being.
Pretty impressive!
Ensuring the liver is in tip-top shape is one of the best ways to maintain energy, beautiful skin, and overall health.
The liver takes care of a lot and doesn’t get any breaks. To maintain optimal health and a robust immune system, we need to lessen its burden as much as possible because toxins are more prevalent than ever before.
Giving it a good liver detox on occasion to support healthy liver function is a great way to support our health and well-being.
However, you don’t HAVE to do a liver and gallbladder flush to get the same results.
You can take herbal supplements like milk thistle or dandelion root to achieve the same results, albeit in a longer time frame.
This a great option for anyone who doesn’t want to go through an intense cleanse drinking a rather yucky-tasting liver detox drink.
Who Should Do a Liver Cleanse?
Not everyone should do a liver cleanse because it can pack a wallop on those who take certain medications, are pregnant or nursing, suffer from frequent yeast infections, are diabetic, hypoglycemic, have stomach ulcers, or have a fragile constitution due to age, chemo, etc.
Honestly, this cleanse can take you on Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride even if you’re strong and healthy, so I highly recommend checking with your healthcare practitioner before diving into liver flushing.
That said, how do you know if you need to do a liver cleanse?
Some of the most common reasons may be:
• You have acne• You drink alcohol regularly• You drank too heavily on a night out or over the weekend• You eat processed foods often• Your sugar intake is moderate to high• You feel fatigued, run-down, or just tired throughout the day• You use chemicals to clean your home• You are exposed to environmental toxins and pollution (maybe you live in a large city or your workplace uses chemicals)• Your blood sugar fluctuates often (due to your liver’s overburdened state)• Your skin is always dry• You use skincare and cosmetics that contain chemicals daily, like lotions, shampoos, conditioners, foundation, etc.• You have unexplained back pain
How Often Should You Do a Liver Cleanse?
This largely depends on how you treat your body. If you eat healthy wholesome foods, exercise a few times a week, stay hydrated, get outside, and keep your alcohol, sugar, and processed foods intake to a minimum, you really only “need” to cleanse your liver once a year.
However, if you go out often and are exposed to pollutants, chemicals, and other toxins in your environment on a daily basis, cleansing your liver 2-3 times a year is generally recommended.
Never do a liver cleanse when you are ill.
How does The Liver Cleanse Work?
I’m adding this in so you know exactly why you need to follow every instruction without substitutions. The cleanse will not work otherwise and you may cause yourself some unintentional discomfort.
Apples, Apple Juice, and Malic Acid
Apples are rich in malic acid, a compound that helps break up gallstones for more comfortable elimination. You need to include these in this cleanse for this reason. Without them, you may not pass some of the larger stones.
Epsom Salts
Epsom salts are essential because it dilates the ducts that expel gallstones. If you don’t use Epsom salts, you risk one or more of the stones getting lodged and causing a lot of pain as the gallbladder expels bile.
Grapefruit and Lemon
The slightly bitter flavor of these fruits is known to stimulate the gallbladder and cause it to release bile and flush out stones. Grapefruit and lemon are also amazing for liver support and regeneration.
All of these make up the recipe for a rather intense liver cleanse juice that isn’t for the faint of heart so please do your research and be prepared!
How to Do a Liver Cleanse and Liver Flush
This cleanse is inexpensive and straightforward to do. In fact, you may already have all of the ingredients that you need. Once again, keep in mind that this cleanse is not for everyone!
Here are the ingredients:
• Organic apple juice (I buy the large gallon size as I need it)• Organic whole apples, or a malic acid supplement• 4 TB Epsom salt• 3 cups of filtered water• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil• One or two large organic grapefruit (I prefer ruby grapefruit) OR 3 organic lemons (must be freshly squeezed from the fruit!) to make at least ½ cup of juice. Do not use ready-made juice.
Lime juice will not work.
How to do a Liver Flush
Before diving into this liver flush routine, please READ ALL OF THE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST.
This will ensure success and you will know what to expect and can prepare properly.
This cleanse can take 11 days to complete if you want to best results possible.
5 Days Before Cleansing
Eat as many organic apples as possible for the first five days before you begin the liver flushing protocol. Obviously, don’t make yourself ill doing this.
I typically eat one apple with every meal and snack on apples between meals.
You can also drink unfiltered organic apple juice instead of eating apples throughout the day, or take a malic acid supplement according to its instructions.
Just choose one method – apples or malic acid. Doing both will be too much.
During this time, eat clean, healthy meals that are simple, like lean meats, whole vegetables, fresh fruit, and whole grains.
Days 1 and 2 of The Liver Cleanse
On days 1 and 2, you should cut out all meat products (unless you absolutely need more sustenance) and focus on eating fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains if desired. Keep it very simple.
Eat a fresh apple with every meal or take malic acid as directed on the bottle. Snack on fresh apples as desired.
*** Alternatively, you can eat clean five days prior to starting the cleanse and fast for days 1 and 2 if you are experienced with cleansing protocols.
Day 3, 4, and 5 of the Liver Cleanse
On days 3-5, begin drinking a cup of organic apple juice every 2-3 waking hours, you can do this in conjunction with eating apples as well if you desire, but it isn’t necessary.
This process tops up the malic acid in your body which is an incredible liver detoxifier and will help ensure that you flush out more stones.
If you don’t want to drink apple juice or eat apples, you can take 500mg of malic acid 3x a day with lots of filtered water.
Day 6 of the Liver Cleanse
Make sure to prepare for this flush ahead of time.
Get someone to watch the kids and make sure you have taken care of everything you need to. The fewer distractions, the better your results will be.
Step 1. On day 6, eat a very light breakfast with no fat before 10 am. An example would be fresh fruit.
Doing this will increase bile accumulation in the liver. The bile increases pressure which will help eliminate more stones.
After breakfast, just drink water and snack lightly on fresh fruit if needed.
Step 2. At 2:00 pm, mix 4 TB of Epsom salt into 3 cups of filtered water and store it in the fridge so it gets cold.
DO NOT eat after 2:00 pm or the flush will not work.
Step 3. At 6:00 pm, drink 1 cup of the Epsom salt mixture.
It’s going to taste awful but try your best!
You cannot add anything to make it taste better or you will compromise the cleanse results.
Using a straw makes it easier to drink.
Step 4. At 8:00 pm, drink another 1 cup of Epsom salt mixture.
At this point, THE ONLY THING you should be doing is resting, laying down, or sleeping.
Step 5. At 9:45 pm, juice the large grapefruit and remove all the seeds.
If you dislike pulp, strain it out. Mix the grapefruit juice (or the juice of 3 lemons) with ½ cup of olive oil in a jar or shaker cup until very well combined.
This should be ½ cup of olive oil and a ½ cup of fresh grapefruit juice or lemon juice.
Step 6. At 10:00 pm, drink the grapefruit mixture within 5 minutes. You can use a straw to make it easier. I recommend actually tasting the mixture because the bitter flavor will stimulate the release of bile.
Step 7. Immediately after drinking the grapefruit mixture, lay down in bed on your right side with your right knee up towards your chin for 20 minutes WITHOUT MOVING.
This is super important.
Step 8. After 20 minutes, try to sleep on your right side for the rest of the night. Really try not to move if possible.
Day 7 of the Liver Cleanse
Step 1. The next morning when you wake up, drink ½ cup of Epsom salt mixture and relax.
Try not to overexert yourself at all. Lay down in bed and rest.
Step 2. 2 hours later, drink the last ½ cup of Epsom salt mixture. Rest.
Step 3. After drinking the epsom salt mixture, wait another 2 hours before eating ANYTHING, not even fresh fruit, after this last dose.
You’re almost there!
Step 4. Once 2 hours are up, begin with a liquid diet of fruit juice or a pure fruit smoothie that is slightly runny (you can dilute this with water or apple juice).
Slowly incorporate fresh fruit throughout the day, then to light meals that include veggies and light broth.
You should feel pretty normal again by dinnertime but some people may feel worn out up to two days after the cleanse.
Follow the cleanse by eating a clean and healthy diet.
I have found great benefits in making fresh vegetable juices high in vitamin c, beta carotene, and antioxidants by adding turmeric, beets, cucumbers, spinach, kale, fresh citrus, and, of course, apples, to a juicer and having it every morning.
If you want the fiber, don’t strain the juice afterward.
Alternatively, you can opt to blend some of these ingredients into your daily smoothie.
Drinking lemon water upon waking is also a great habit to get into after a cleanse as it helps with constipation and other gastrointestinal stagnancy.
You can learn more in the video below:
What to Expect After Flushing Your Liver and Gallbladder
The morning you finish up the cleanse is when you can expect to experience some intestinal cleansing effects.
Sometimes these symptoms can occur soon after drinking the Epsom salt mixture; other times it can take all day to feel the effects.
Most people will experience some degree of diarrhea or bloating on this cleanse, which is totally normal due to the Epsom salts.
Another aspect many people experience is the elimination of several to sometimes hundreds of gallstones. These appear as pea shaped green “stones” that may sink or float during elimination and are made up of cholesterol and bilirubin.
There is a lot of debate about whether these genuinely are gallstones, and not everyone eliminates them. Still, one thing is clear, most everyone who has done a liver flush correctly has experienced incredible results.
Other symptoms, especially if you’re new to fasting and cleansing, include fatigue, nausea, and vomiting.
Weight loss is another effect of this cleanse due to the restricted calories.
If you stay rested and take it easy, you should be fine. Remember, this cleanse is about REST. You shouldn’t be puttering around town or cleaning the house, or chasing after a toddler. The key is lots of rest!
Best of luck, everyone!
Frequently Asked Questions About Doing a Liver Cleanse
What to eat on a liver cleanse?
Some of the best healthy foods to consume during a liver cleanse include:
Like spinach and kale, leafy greens contain vitamins and minerals that help support liver health.
Citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, and grapefruit contain antioxidants that help neutralize harmful toxins.
Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, and radishes possess anti-inflammatory properties that can help protect your liver.
Whole grains such as quinoa and oats provide energy without overworking your liver.
Lean proteins such as egg whites and fish provide essential nutrients for the body’s detoxification processes without being too heavy.
What can I drink to flush my liver?
Drinking unfiltered organic apple juice is a great way to get malic acid into your diet to support liver health. Malic acid does this by boosting transport enzyme activity, reducing the fat that can accumulate around the liver, and increasing short-chain fatty acids essential for metabolizing fats and carbs.
You can also drink fresh vegetable juices to support a healthy body in general while eliminating unhealthy foods.
What is the fastest way to cleanse your liver?
Doing a liver and gallbladder flush using epsom salts, grapefruit juice, and olive oil. While intense, it’s the fastest way to cleanse the liver thoroughly.
How can I detox my liver at home?
You can detox the liver at home by doing a liver and gallbladder flush, changing your lifestyle to support health and well-being by eating healthy, sleeping well, staying hydrated, avoiding toxins, or taking liver-supportive supplements like milk thistle and dandelion root.
What is the best homemade liver cleanse?
The best homemade liver cleanse will be the one you can comfortably commit to.
If you can take a good two weeks to stick to strict protocol and you are looking for fast results, a liver and gallbladder flush may be what you’re looking for.
If you want to go slow and steady, then eating a healthier diet and taking liver-supportive herbs like milk thistle and dandelion root may be the route for you.
Have you ever done a liver cleanse? How did it turn out?
For more articles on liver support, look below:
How to Detox your Liver for the New Year with Herbs!Healing Acne- The Herbalist’s Way Part 3Can You Balance Hormones with Carrots? + a Recipe!3 Ways to do a Liver Flush
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