Each of our 5 seasons, also has an element, a time of day, an organ system, a color, a direction, a sound, a flavor, and even an odor. We are entering the Spring season and the element that rules spring is Wood. The organs related to the wood element are the liver and the gallbladder. These 2 organs have very complex functions. The liver is known to have hundreds of functions in our body, and, it is likely that we will never know all of its functions. The liver is one of our largest organs and one of its main functions is detoxification. Spring is one of the best times to do a detox protocol.

In the cyclical flow of the seasons, winter precedes spring. In winter we typically crave heavier, oilier foods, to keep us warm, and we are also less active. This winter lifestyle can put a strain on the liver and gallbladder functions. Also, sadly, we live in toxic times. Yearly spring cleaning of our bodies is always a good practice.

A liver in need of detox, will show up in the body as dull, congested, inflamed, and blemished skin, dry, brittle and falling hair, numb or spastic limbs, and even fatigue. You may also see dark streaks in the nails or other dark markings. The emotion correlated to liver congestion are all forms of anger, irritability and impatience.  A few other symptoms for a liver in need of some TLC are red, and or, burning eyes, red face, ringing in the ears, dry mouth, tight muscles of the neck and shoulders, depression, headaches, and PMS. A toxic and ill functioning liver, our most active detox organ, can lead most degenerative diseases. At minimum, an annual liver organ detox, is a great way to insure health and longevity.

You can all decide what kind of liver detox you would like to do for yourselves. There is a lot of info on the web. I found this website that will give you a lot of good information. 

Citrus is a great liver cleanser. Start your mornings, before eating, by drinking a cup of warm water with the juice of ½ a lemon. You can mix the lemon with other citrus if you like. Bitter foods lightly cooked or eaten raw, and herbs are also very good for the liver. Foods like spring lettuces, mustard greens, dandelion greens and arugula. Bitter herbs have a very beneficial effect on the liver as well. I like taking bitter herbs in tinctured form. Look for formulas that have herbs like dandelion, Oregon grape root, milk thistle, artichoke, and schisandra berries.

Fresh juicing is also a great way to not only flush out the liver, but to pour concentrated nutrients into every cell in the body. Start your day with a fresh glass of carrot, ginger, lemon and apple juice. If you don’t have a juicer, you can grate the carrot, apple, and ginger, and add fresh lemon juice for a nutritious salad.

The Gerson Institute has been helping people with detox protocols for a very long time. If you would like a more thorough detox regimen, you can read more about Gerson therapy. A big part of the Gerson therapy is to do daily coffee enemas. Coffee taken internally through the rectum causes the bile ducts in the gallbladder to open and a thorough flushing of the bile ducts can occur. You can read more about them and how to do them.

A healthy functioning liver will reward you with a glowing complexion and strong and shining hair, balanced and moderate emotional expressions, healthy tendons and ligaments, balanced hormones and reproductive organs, healthy digestion and elimination, strong immunity, deep restful sleep, and powerful endurance. Spring cleaning of your liver, will keep you healthy, happy, and youthful.