Dandelion / Milk Thistle Plus

Liver detoxification. The herbs in this formula have traditionally been used to restore and protect the liver, detoxifying both the liver and gall-bladder and stimulating the natural secretion of juices such as bile and thereby promoting better evacuation.

Contents: Dandelion root, Milk Thistle seed, Oregon Grape root, Celery seed, Fennel seed, Fringetree root bark, Licorice root, Yellow Dock root, Culver’s root, Cascara Sagrada bark, Blue Flag root, Burdock root, Barberry root, Wahoo root bark and Turkish Rhubarb root. 15 to 30 drops 1-3 times daily for 4-6 weeks. For long term liver protection, or as a follow-up to this liver detoxification formula, see Milk Thistle / Schizandra Plus. Not recommended if nursing or pregnant.

An Informative Article on Dandelion

An Informative Article on Milk Thistle

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Ingredient descriptions:

Dandelion root (Taraxacum officinale)

Actions: Diuretic, cholagogue, antirheumatic, laxative, hepatic, depurative.

Common Use: The blood cleansing properties of this simple plant, and its stimulating effect on the stomach, liver and bowels, make it a very valuable plant for all disorders of this kind. Dandelion is also one of the highest natural sources of potassium, as well as numerous other vitamins and minerals. This herb is a most valuable general tonic and perhaps the best widely applicable diuretic and liver tonic available.

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Milk Thistle seed (Silybum marianum)

Actions: Regenerates the liver on a cellular level, hepatic, cholagogue, galactagogue, tonic.

Common Use: The extensive modern clinical and laboratory research on milk thistle seed would fill (and has filled) a whole book. The most important active constituents discovered so far are the flavonoid-like compounds called flavanolignans, the group of which is collectively called silymarin. The three most abundant of these molecules are silbinin, silychristin, and silydanin. These compounds have two major actions: 1) they bind to the liver cell (hepatocyte) membranes and protect them from being injured by foreign chemicals, endogenous and environmental toxins and free radical damage; and 2) they enter the liver cells and enhance their ability to produce enzymes vital to the liver's proper functioning, thus speeding recovery from injury to the liver and even stimulating regeneration of liver tissue. The seeds are also rich in betaine, a proven liver protector, as well as essential fatty acids that may help lower excessive and chronic inflammation in the body. This herb is specific for protection and enhanced liver regeneration after exposure to heavy metals, radiation, or toxic chemicals.

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Oregon Grape root (Berberis/Mahonia aquifolium)

Actions: Alterative, hepatic, cholagogue, laxative, anti-emetic, anticatarrhal, tonic.

Common Use: Oregon grape is similar in action to golden seal and barberry (they all contain berberine). It acts as a tonic on the liver and gall bladder and can be useful in chronic and scaly skin problems, which can be caused by systematic imbalances. Also known to be helpful for stomach and gall bladder conditions, especially where there is associated nausea and vomiting. This herb is included in the Hoxsey formula.

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Celery seed (Apium graveolens)

Actions: Antirheumatic, diuretic, carminative, sedative.

Common Use: Celery seeds find their main use in the temporary relief of rheumatism, arthritis and gout. They are especially useful in rheumatoid arthritis where there is an associated mental depression. Also useful as a urinary antiseptic and a digestive aid.

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Fennel seed (Foeniculum vulgare)

Actions: Carminative, aromatic, antispasmatic, stimulant, stomachic, rubefacient, galactogogue, expectorant.

Common Use: An excellent stomach and intestinal remedy which relieves flatulence and colic while also stimulating the digestion and appetite. Also used to calm bronchitis and coughs and stimulate milk flow in nursing mothers.

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Fringetree root bark (Chionanthus virginicus)

Actions: Hepatic, cholagogue, alterative, diuretic, tonic, laxative.

Common Use: This valuable herb may be used safely in all liver problems. It is a remedy that will aid the liver in general and as such it is often used as a part of a wider application for the whole body. Through its action of releasing bile it acts as a gentle and effective laxative.

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Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Actions: Expectorant, demulcent, anti-inflammatory, adrenal agent, antispasmodic, mild laxative, alterative, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antitoxic, tonic, pectoral.

Common Use: In China, licorice root has been called "The Great Detoxifier." It acts on the endocrine system and the liver as an anti-hepatotoxic. Also as an expectorant and anti-inflammatory it may be useful in coughs and bronchitis. A recent study found that licorice root actually stimulates the production of interferon, that critical chemical in the immune system that could benefit the body in response to many immune response deficiencies. Licorice root also possesses estrogenic activity, and is said to be beneficial as a uterine tonic and to induce normal ovulation. This herb is also included in the Hoxsey formula. 5 to 30 drops 2-3 times daily. Caution: Excessive and prolonged use of licorice root can cause sodium retention and potassium depletion. Potassium supplementation (75-100mg daily) prevents this problem. Not recommended if nursing or pregnant.

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Yellow Dock root (Rumex crispus)

Actions: Alterative, depurative, laxative, purgative, cholagogue, astringent.

Common Use: The blood cleansing properties of this root make it an outstanding remedy in all ailments associated with impurities in the blood. Common skin problems may include eczema, pimples, boils, rheumatic conditions and lymph gland enlargement. Its richness in organic iron also improves and enriches the quality of the blood. The roots also contain anthraquinone glycosides, similar to those found in buckthorn bark and cascara sagrada bark; it is these compounds that account for the laxative effect that is also found in yellow dock. This root also has a beneficial effect on liver functions and the health of related organs, increasing their ability to strain and purify the blood. In search for an explanation for yellow docks amazing blood purifying effects, research has thus far turned up only a high thiamine content as a possibility.

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Culver's root (Leptandra virginica) aka Black root

Actions: Cholagogue, hepatic, mild cathartic, diaphoretic, laxative, antispasmodic, tonic.

Common Use: Used at any sign of liver problems, Culver's Root or black root as it is also known is a great reliever of liver congestion, inflamed gall bladder, jaundice (when due to liver congestion) and chronic constipation when due to a liver dysfunction. Use with care.

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Cascara Sagrada aged bark (Rhamnus purshiana)

Actions: Gentle laxative, bitter tonic, hepatic, mild purgative.

Common Use: Considered one of the most useful among the popular botanical laxatives, cascara's mild and yet effective action on the bowels makes it a favored mild laxative. It acts by increasing the muscular action of the intestines, toning and cleansing them. This herb is also included in the Hoxsey formula.

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Blue Flag root (Iris versicolor)

Actions: Alterative, cholagogue, diuretic, hepatic, cathartic, depurative.

Common Use: This root has been widely used in the temporary relief of a variety of skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, apparently helping the skin by aiding the liver, the main detoxifying organ of the body. Also reported to be of value when there is constipation due to liver problems. Use with care. Not recommended if nursing or pregnant.

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Burdock root (Arctium lappa)

Actions: Alterative, depurative, diuretic, bitter, tonic.

Common Use: This root is well known for its blood cleansing properties and is used in innumerable herbal medicines and blood remedies. Experiments on burdock have shown it to lower blood sugar, and destroy fungal and bacteria cultures. Japanese researchers at Nagoya University found in burdock (aka Gobo root in Japan) a new type of desmutagen, a substance that is uniquely capable of reducing cell mutation in either the absence or the presence of metabolic activation. This new property is so important, the Japanese scientists named it the B-factor for "burdock factor." In general, it is claimed burdock will help restore the body to a state of integration and health. Burdock is also included in the Hoxsey formula and Rene Caisse's Essiac formula.

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Barberry root bark (Berberis vulgaris)

Actions: Bitter tonic, cholagogue, hepatic, laxative, antibilious, anti-emetic.

Common Use: Believed to be an excellent remedy for correcting liver function and promoting the flow of bile. Indicated for inflammation of the gall bladder, gall stones and jaundice (when due to a congested state of the liver). As a bitter tonic with mild laxative effects, it is believed to strengthen and cleanse the system. Also said to be effective in reducing an enlarged spleen. This herb is also included in the Hoxsey formula. Do not use if nursing or pregnant.

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Wahoo root bark (Euonymus atropupureus)

Actions: Cholagogue, laxative, diuretic, alterative, hepatic, circulatory stimulant.

Common Use: Wahoo is one of the primary liver herbs. It acts to remove congestion from the liver, allowing the free flow of bile and so helping the digestive process. It may be used in the relief of jaundice and gall bladder problems such as inflammation and pain or congestion due to stones, constipation where it is due to liver or gall bladder problems, and through its normalizing action upon the liver it may help in a range of skin problems where there is a possible liver involvement. Use With Care. Avoid Prolonged Use.

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Turkish Rhubarb root (Euonymus atropupureus)

Actions: Bitter stomachic, mild purgative, astringent, laxative, cathartic.

Common Use: Rhubarb root is a valuable remedy that incites the activity of the stomach, liver and bowels by increasing the flow of the digestive juices. In small doses it makes an excellent strengthening tonic for the stomach, in large doses it acts as a laxative. Rhubarb root's purgative action is useful in constipation, but also has an astringent effect following this. It therefore has a truly cleansing action on the gut, removing debris and then astringing with antiseptic properties as well. This herb is also included in Rene Caisse's Essiac formula.

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