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Ayurvedic Liver Cleanse

Ayurvedic Liver Cleanse:
(using a tea made with turmeric powder)

Practitioners of ayurveda have long considered the active ingredient in turmeric--curcumin--to be a potent liver cleansing agent. Data exist to support this claim. In a 2003 study, Dr. A.A. Nanji and his colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center showed that curcumin prevents alcohol-induced liver disease in rats. Ayurvedic herbalists call turmeric "the king of spices" and there are many ways you can introduce it into your diet. An easy way to use the herb as a liver cleanse is to make tea with it as follows:

Things You'll Need:

-1/8 tsp. turmeric powder
-1 cup milk or water
-Honey or sugar (succanant is best)

Step 1:

Place 1 cup of milk or water into a small pot and use low heat to slowly bring it to the point just before boiling. Milk will create a richer tasting tea, but it contains more calories than water.

Step 2:
Add 1 tsp. of turmeric powder to the hot liquid and stir it well. Transfer the liquid to a mug and sweeten it as you like with honey or sugar. Keep in mind the more honey or sugar you add, the more calories the tea will have in it.

Step 3:
Drink 2 or 3 cups of this tea every day. You should drink 1 cup just before bed because the liver is very active at night and can more effectively utilize the curcumin at that time.

Don't use turmeric (also spelled ‘tumeric’) on a long-term basis. You should not consume turmeric if you have heart disease or are pregnant. If you have any chronic illnesses, consult your doctor before using an herbal supplement.