The liver and kidneys are vital organs that play critical roles in removing toxins and waste from the body. Over time, these organs can become overloaded with toxins, leading to symptoms like fatigue, headaches, poor digestion, and more. A liver and kidney “flush” refers to different techniques aimed at cleansing these organs of built-up toxins and improving their health and function.
Some common questions about liver and kidney flushes include:
What is the purpose of a liver and kidney flush?
The goal of a liver and kidney flush is to clear out toxins, fat deposits, chemicals, medication residues, and calcium deposits that can accumulate in these organs over time. This is intended to improve the health and function of the liver and kidneys so they can better filter blood and produce important compounds for the body.
What methods can be used to flush the liver and kidneys?
Some different approaches include:
– Doing a juice cleanse with vegetable and fruit juices that support detoxification. This provides antioxidants and nutrients while limiting incoming toxins from food.
– Following a cleansing diet of organic, whole foods for several days. This limits exposure to things like pesticides while providing fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
– Taking herbal supplements or teas that have cleansing properties and can stimulate bile production in the liver. Milk thistle, dandelion, and burdock root are examples.
– Consuming extra virgin olive oil, especially on an empty stomach, which can help force the gallbladder to flush out backed-up bile.
– Drinking apple cider vinegar diluted in water, which can help cleanse the kidneys and break down calcifications.
– Doing a water fast for 1-3 days while drinking extra fluids. This allows the organs to fully focus on detoxification.
Are liver and kidney cleanses safe?
For most healthy individuals, occasional cleansing of the liver and kidneys through diet is likely safe. However, more extreme cleanses done repeatedly over a short period of time could put strain on the organs. Certain herbal supplements and juices may also interact with medications or cause side effects in some people.
It’s best to consult a healthcare provider if you have any underlying medical conditions or take prescription medications before attempting cleansing. Children, adolescents, pregnant women, and elderly individuals should not do strict cleanses or fasts.
How often should you do a liver and kidney flush?
There is no specific guideline on how often liver and kidney flushes need to be done. Some natural health practitioners recommend cleansing a few times per year based on the seasons or as needed. Listening to your body is important—if you are feeling symptomatic like fatigue, brain fog, digestive issues, or seeing changes in urine odor or frequency, it may indicate your organs need extra cleansing support.
How long do liver and kidney cleanses last?
Liver and kidney cleanses can range from one day to three weeks or longer. Shorter juice cleanses or cleansing diets may last 3-7 days. Longer cleanses of three weeks are more rigorous and involve strict dietary changes, supplements, and sometimes enemas or colon cleansing. Doing shorter cleanses more frequently, like each season, is likely safer long-term than rapid, repeated long cleanses.
Main methods to flush the liver and kidneys
Here is more detail on some of the main techniques used to flush and cleanse the liver and kidneys:
Juice cleanse
A juice cleanse involves drinking fresh vegetable and fruit juices for a period of time while avoiding solid foods. This provides concentrated phytonutrients while giving the digestive system a rest. Juice cleanses typically last 3-7 days. They provide antioxidants and nutrients that support the liver and kidneys while limiting toxin exposure.
Some examples of beneficial juices include:
– Carrot, beetroot, celery, cucumber, lemon
– Apple, spinach, parsley, cucumber, ginger
– Tomato, bell pepper, green beans, basil
– Kale, broccoli, cucumber, lime, avocado
It’s important to still drink plenty of water during a juice cleanse. Many also take herbal supplements or use colon cleansing methods for maximal detoxification benefits. It is not recommended to do juice-only fasts for more than 7 consecutive days.
Cleansing diet
A cleansing diet means avoiding processed foods, sugar, alcohol, caffeine, and red meat for a period of time. In their place, you eat organic fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains, herbs, spices, healthy oils, and plenty of water. Getting nutrients from produce while limiting exposure to pesticides, preservatives, and other chemical additives allows the liver and kidneys to focus on cleansing.
This type of cleanse may involve eliminating allergenic foods like dairy and gluten as well. A cleansing diet can be done for 1-4 weeks as a way to “reset” your eating habits and flush out toxins. Other detoxification therapies like exercise, saunas, or supplements can augment the effects.
Herbal supplements
Many herbs have been traditionally used to support cleansing of toxins from the liver and kidneys. Some examples include:
Milk thistle – Contains the active compound silymarin, which supports liver cell health and acts as an antioxidant. May help reduce liver inflammation and improve glutathione levels.
Dandelion – Has diuretic properties to increase urine output. Contains antioxidants that scavenge damaging free radicals. Stimulates bile production and flow.
Burdock – Contains inulin, a soluble fiber that helps sweep toxins out of the colon. Also has blood-purifying properties.
Chanca piedra – Traditionally used to dissolve kidney stones and help the kidneys eliminate toxins.
These can be consumed as teas, tinctures, capsules, or eaten whole as foods during a cleanse. Follow dosage recommendations and discuss using herbs with your doctor first.
Olive oil
Drinking extra virgin olive oil, especially on an empty stomach, is an ancient remedy for stimulating bile flow in the liver and gallbladder. The oil acts as an irritant that “flushes out” backed up bile, which can contain crystallized cholesterol, gallstones, and toxins.
To use this method: Drink 2-3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil first thing in the morning, preferably while lying on your right side. Follow with a hot lemon water or tea. Do not eat anything for 30 minutes after. Repeat daily for a week or two. Discontinue if you experience pain or diarrhea.
Apple cider vinegar
Raw, organic apple cider vinegar mixed with water helps balance pH levels in the body. It also acts as a natural diuretic to increase urine production, allowing the kidneys to flush out more toxins. Apple cider vinegar may help dissolve mineral deposits in the kidneys as well.
To use: Mix 1-2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar into 16 oz of water and drink twice per day, morning and evening. Can sweeten with a bit of raw honey if needed. Use for 2-4 weeks as part of a cleanse.
Detoxification diet plan
Here is a sample 7-day detoxification diet plan to help cleanse the liver and kidneys:
Day 1
– Morning: Hot lemon water or dandelion tea upon rising. Take milk thistle supplement. Drink 32 oz filtered water.
– Breakfast: Green smoothie with spinach, banana, apple, chia seeds.
– Snack: Fresh berries or apple slices.
– Lunch: Large raw vegetable salad with chickpeas and olive oil lemon dressing.
– Snack: Handful of nuts or hummus with celery sticks.
– Dinner: Quinoa stir fry with kale, broccoli and carrots. Top with lemon juice and parsley.
– Evening: Herbal detox tea. 8 oz water with lemon.
Day 2
– Morning: Warm ginger tea. Dry brush skin. Drink 32 oz water.
– Breakfast: Oatmeal made with rolled oats, raisins, cinnamon, almond milk.
– Snack: Half a grapefruit.
– Lunch: Veggie and lentil soup. Sliced avocado on the side.
– Snack: Green juice or fruit smoothie.
– Dinner: Baked salmon over greens with vinaigrette.
– Evening: Chamomile or passionflower tea. 8 oz water.
Day 3
– Morning: Hot water with lemon and ACV. Take milk thistle supplement. Drink 32 oz water.
– Breakfast: Poached eggs over wilted spinach. Toast with mashed avocado.
– Snack: Carrots and hummus.
– Lunch: Large salad with beets, goat cheese, nuts, balsamic vinaigrette.
– Snack: Green juice or fruit smoothie.
– Dinner: Chicken vegetable stir fry with brown rice.
– Evening: Licorice root tea. 8 oz water.
Follow this basic structure for the remaining 4 days, varying produce, proteins, herbs, and seasonings. Avoid alcohol, sugary foods and beverages, and chemical additives. Drink plenty of filtered water, herbal tea, fresh vegetable juices, broths, and eat lots of veggies!
Supplements and herbs for liver and kidney cleansing
Certain supplements may help support detoxification pathways in the liver and kidneys. Some to consider during a cleanse include:
Milk thistle
Milk thistle contains silymarin and other antioxidant flavonoids that help protect liver cells from damage. It may also help increase production of glutathione, a key compound for liver detoxification. Typical dose is 140-210 mg silymarin daily.
N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)
NAC provides the amino acid cysteine, needed for glutathione synthesis in the body. Supplementing can help boost glutathione levels in the liver and enhance phase 2 detoxification. Typical dose is 600-1,000 mg per day.
Dandelion root
Dandelion has a diuretic effect to increase urine output. The root also enhances bile production and flow in the liver, allowing toxins to be eliminated more efficiently. Can take as a tea, tincture or supplement.
Turmeric
Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It can help protect liver cells and improve liver health and function. Take 500-1,000 mg daily.
Burdock root
Burdock root supports elimination via the colon, kidneys and skin. It also contains inulin, a prebiotic fiber that feeds beneficial gut bacteria. Dried root can be used to make tea.
Beetroot
Beets are rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients that may stimulate detoxification enzymes in the liver. Juice fresh beets or drink beetroot juice.
Herbs like dandelion, milk thistle, and artichoke can be taken as teas or tinctures a few times per day during a liver cleanse. Always check with a doctor before taking supplements if you have medical conditions or take medications.
Things to avoid during a liver and kidney detox
To allow your liver and kidneys to fully cleanse and flush out toxins, it’s helpful to avoid certain foods and substances during a detox:
– Alcohol and caffeine – Don’t drink coffee, black tea, soda, energy drinks or alcohol, all of which burden the liver.
– Sugar and refined carbs – Limit any sweets, candy, baked goods, refined grains, fruit juices, jams, etc.
– Processed and fried foods – Avoid these, as they lack nutrients and contain chemical additives.
– Red meats and saturated fat – Limit intake as they are harder to digest and metabolize.
– Dairy products – Avoid most dairy like milk, cheese, cream, yogurt, butter and ice cream.
– Salt – Limit sodium intake, as excess salt can burden the kidneys.
– Medications – Avoid over-the-counter meds and prescription drugs when possible. Check with a doctor first.
– Chemical household products – Use natural cleaners to limit inhaling toxic fumes.
– Skin care products – Avoid creams and lotions with artificial fragrances, parabens and chemicals.
– Smoking and secondhand smoke – Don’t smoke and avoid exposure to minimize toxic burden.
The more you can eliminate exposure to toxic substances and foods that tax your organs, the more effective a liver and kidney detox can be.
Tips for an effective liver and kidney cleanse
Here are some tips to get the most out of cleansing your liver and kidneys:
– Talk to your doctor before doing any intense cleanse, especially if you have medical conditions or take medications.
– Drink at least 64 oz of filtered water daily to flush out toxins and prevent dehydration.
– Get some gentle exercise like walking, light jogging, rebounding, yoga or Pilates. This helps circulation and elimination of toxins through sweat.
– Take time to relax and manage stress levels through meditation, massage, epsom salt baths and nature. High stress inhibits detoxification.
– Practice dry skin brushing to boost circulation and lymphatic drainage before showering. Use long strokes directed toward the heart.
– Optimize gut health with probiotic foods or supplements. Healthy gut flora supports detoxification and elimination.
– Use saunas to help purge toxins through sweat. Start with 10-15 minutes and work up to 30 minutes or more. Shower after.
– Consider getting a series of lymph drainage massages, which encourages toxic drainage.
– Choose natural beauty and home products without toxic chemicals during your cleanse.
– If doing a longer cleanse, ease back into regular diet gradually over a few days after you complete it.
With some preparation and diligence, liver and kidney cleanses can be done safely and effectively. Be patient and kind to your body throughout the process. Over time, your organs can better filter blood, produce crucial compounds, and keep you feeling energized.
Conclusion
Liver and kidney flushes can be beneficial to clear out toxins and improve the health of these vital organs. Using a combination of a cleansing diet, staying hydrated, exercising, managing stress, and taking targeted herbs and supplements can facilitate detoxification. Work with a healthcare provider if you have any concerns and listen to your body’s signals. With a little guidance, these flushes can be incorporated safely and effectively a few times per year as part of a healthy lifestyle. Supporting your body’s own detoxification pathways can promote energy, vitality, and overall wellness.