What Does Ayurveda Say About Liver Health?

Many of us have the thought that alcohol is the main culprit for liver problems. Bursting your bubble, let us tell you that various factors, including genetics, certain medications, weight, and even viral infections, impact your liver health.

No matter what the trigger is, the concerning part is that liver disease progresses silently until serious complications arise. An unhealthy modern lifestyle could affect your liver, causing it to lose its ability to filter out harmful substances from your blood and perform other important bodily functions. If you are struggling with low liver energy or want to act preemptively, use Ayurvedic formulations like Krishna’s Liver Re-Live Juice, which enhances liver functions and detoxification without causing any side effects.

Ayurveda is an ancient branch of medicine that provides us with a holistic way of supporting the liver. Let’s understand what Ayurveda says about liver health and how it can help keep your liver strong and healthy.

Liver Health in Ayurveda

The liver is one of the most vital organs perhaps second to the lungs and the heart that carries out some of the body’s prime functions. You can live with one kidney, one lung, or even without the spleen entirely, but surviving without a functioning liver is impossible.

The liver works endlessly performing the following key functions in your body.

• Metabolisation of Nutrients: The carbohydrates from food are stored in your liver which is then converted into glucose, the energy source that your body requires for functioning.

• Production of bile: Bile is the digestive juice that helps your small intestine break down food during digestion and carry away waste.

• Storage of Vitamins and Minerals: The liver stores essential vitamins (such as A, D, E, K, and B12) and minerals like iron from haemoglobin. Iron helps in making new red blood cells.

• Filters your blood: The liver filters and removes toxins (harmful substances) such as hormones (estrogen and aldosterone) and compounds like alcohol and other drugs from your blood.

• Supports blood clots: To help the blood clot after an injury Vitamin K is necessary. This essential vitamin production is supported by bile, which the liver produces enough, helping regulate blood clotting and prevent excessive bleeding. 

• Other important liver functions: The liver produces immune cells that destroy disease-causing bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms and protect your body. It also helps in regulating the amount of blood and blood pressure in your body.

Liver is called Yakrit in Sanskrit. According to Ayurveda, apart from the aforementioned essential functions of the liver, it is considered the home of Pitta dosha—one of the three primary energies or doshas that govern your body. Pitta is the fiery mind-body element that is responsible for metabolic processes, including digestion, manufacture of essential compounds, and transformation of nutrients into energy.

When your Pitta dosha is balanced, your liver functions properly, helping to filter impurities from your blood and deeper tissues which otherwise might lead to harmful effects.

But, when it becomes imbalanced or is overexposed to toxins like environmental pollutants, alcohol, medicines, etc—the liver function gets affected. This further leads to issues such as poor digestion,  constipation, fatigue, and even skin problems.

The good news is that the liver is the only organ that has a remarkable built-in capacity to heal and rejuvenate itself —you just need to balance your pitta dosha with Ayurvedic herbs, diet and proper lifestyle.

Ayurvedic Ways to Enhance Liver Health

To keep your liver functioning at its best, it’s important to detoxify it regularly. Ayurveda offers several potent herbs that are known for their liver-protective properties and can help restore and maintain liver health. Here are a few popular ones.

Ayurvedic herbs for a healthy liver

1. Triphala: This is an excellent ayurvedic remedy for the liver which is a blend of gut-friendly herbs- Amla or Amalaki, Baheda or Bibhitaki, and Chebulic Myrobalan or Haritaki. This powerful combination gently cleanses, detoxifies, and tones your digestive tract. It promotes balanced pitta dosha and aids in the removal of ama (toxins), thereby strengthening overall liver function.

Triphala also helps in protecting your liver from drug-induced damage and is beneficial for those who suffer from fatty liver disease. The condition in which excessive amounts of fat accumulate in the liver.

Krishna’s Triphala Juice and Krishna’s Triphala Churna are excellent choices for liver health and to cleanse your digestive tract.

2. Kutki: This traditional herb has been used for years to treat liver diseases like jaundice. The herb has antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties that protect your liver cells from damage caused by free radicals. It also deeply cleanses your gallbladder and improves the proper flow of bile which further supports healthy liver function.

The herb also has a cooling effect on Pitta and thus helps your body soothe its heat and promote good gut health.

Krishna’s Kutki Powder can be used regularly to support liver function and help manage liver disorders.

3. Bhumyamalaki: This is another classic Ayurvedic herb for liver health, which has antioxidant and antiviral properties. It not only cures liver disorders but also has cooling and soothing effects that balance excess heat in the digestive tract and Pitta dosha.

Explore other Ayurvedic formulas to support your liver

• Liver Relive Juice | Bhumi Amla Juice
• Ayurvedic Detox Juice

Ayurvedic diet tips to support liver health

• Consume organic, freshly prepared foods. Eating foods containing preservatives, chemicals, or that are processed or leftover puts your liver to work harder to filter out toxins, which can eventually strain and compromise its health.

• Add cooling foods to your diet to balance your pitta. Sweet, juicy fruits, summer squashes, cooked greens, whole grain, and milk products like lassi, can cool a fiery Pitta quickly. Adding spices like fresh coriander, mint, fennel, cumin, turmeric, and lemon or lime juice can also help.

• Favour ghee over other oils. According to ancient Ayurvedic texts, ghee is cooling for both the mind and body and is the most easily digestible fat for your liver. It also helps restore enzymatic function, but make sure to use it sparingly.

Also Read: How Does Our Lifestyle Affect The Liver?

Ayurvedic lifestyle tips for the liver

• Stick to a predictable schedule. According to Ayurvedic principles, Pitta thrives with a sense of daily routine. So, make sure to have a consistent routine that includes on-time meals and going off to bed relatively early (ideally by 10 p.m.). The period from 10:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. is considered Pitta time and staying awake during this time increases Pitta dosha. This may prevent your liver from performing essential functions during the night.

• Get adequate sleep. Lack of sleep can hamper your metabolism and result in weight gain and negative emotions such as irritation, anger, etc. All these factors can take a toll on your liver health.

• Don’t skip or delay meals. Eating meals at irregular times can cause acidity and digestive issues, which can strain your liver and other Pitta-related organs.

• Avoid any additional toxicity from cigarette smoke, air pollution, alcohol,  or other toxic substances, as they place extra strain on your liver.

• Incorporate pitta-balancing exercises in your routine. A pitta-balancing exercise regimen should be moderate rather than overly vigorous. The best exercises for keeping pitta balanced are walking, hiking, swimming, cycling, and yoga, performed with relaxed effort. The optimal time of day to exercise is from about 6–10 a.m. or p.m. Exercises also help keep you maintain weight which can be beneficial for diseases like fatty liver.