Liver Detoxifying and Protecting Tonic The herbs in this formula have shown potent liver protective properties as well as the ability to help protect against environmental toxins and pollutants. Clinical trials performed in countries outside the US have shown some of these herbs to detoxify dangerous carcinogens, act as free radical scavengers, stimulate liver repair, normalize liver functions, counteract the effects of a wide variety of poisons, alter the membranes of hepatic cells which inhibits the passage of toxins, increase cellular regeneration by stimulating protein synthesis and protect against depletion of the antioxidant gluthione in liver cells.

Contents: Milk Thistle seed, Chinese Schizandra Berry, Shiitake mushroom, Chinese Ligustrum (Privet) fruit, Mexican Wild Yam root, Chinese Dong Quai root, Chinese Lycium berry, Indian Turmeric root, Brazilian Jurubeba herb, Cascara Sagrada bark and Quebra Pedra. 15 to 40 drops 1-3 times daily. Not recommended if nursing or pregnant.

Ingredient descriptions:

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.

Chinese Schizandra Berry (Schizandra chinensis)

Actions: Tonic, adaptogen, aphrodisiac, mild stimulant, deep immune activator, antioxidant.

Common Use: Schizandra fruits or berries contain various lignans, mainly schizandrins, these lignans have been found to prevent liver damage, stimulate liver repair, and stimulate normal liver functioning. These properties appear to be related to the various antioxidant abilities of the various schizandrins. Schizandra also helps in digestion, regulating gastric acid release. Other studies have shown that extracts of schizandra are stimulating to the central nervous system and are cholinergic. There have been numerous reports on schizandra's ability to quicken reflexes, increase work efficiency, control anger and combat neurasthenias (headaches, insomnia, dizziness, palpitations). Other reports have mentioned increased cognitive function and increased memory. Recent research studies have indicated that schizandra has numerous biological activities, including: anti-bacterial, mild stimulant, liver protective, anti-depressant, antioxidant, adaptogen and cardiac tonic. In Oriental Medicine, schizandra is recommended for the lungs, liver and kidneys, including as an aphrodisiac ( kidney element). Schizandra is also a registered medicine in Russia for vision problems since the herb has been found to prevent eye fatigue and increase acuity.

Shiitake Mushroom (Lentinus edodes)

Actions: Adaptogen, deep immune activator, antiviral, antineoplastic.

Common Use: Shiitakeappears to be beneficial for soothing bronchial inflammations and regulating urine incontinence. Shiitake mycelia is rich in carbohydrates, protein, vitamins and minerals. It contains a polysaccharide-protein complex that studies have shown to:activate macrophages, promoting recognition of antigens and information transmission to the helper T-cells and increasing the rate at which objects are engulfed; reinforce interleukin-1 production, activating the helper T-cells; promote the mitosis of B-lymphocytes (and others), increasing their proliferation; increase antibody production; and, improve health of chronic hepatitis patients. This fungi has been extensively studied in the Orient and elsewhere, the reported beneficial findings are to detailed and numerous to mention here. For anyone with further interest we recommend reading Medicinal Mushrooms by Christopher Hobbs, subjects include reishi, shiitake, maitake, kombucha, and more.

Chinese Ligustrum Privet Fruit (Ligustrum lucidum)

Actions: Nutritive tonic, deep immune activator, liver tonic, digestive aid.

Common Use: Ligustrum, or privet fruit, is an excellent digestive aid, it may be of benefit in chronic bowel complaints and ulcerations of the stomach and bowels. Also known to nourish and tone the liver and kidneys, benefit the skin, and act on conditions such as dizziness, spots in front of the eyes, lower back pain and tinnitus. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, ligustrum is often combined with astragalus root to combat long term weakness, chronic illness or deficiency, and many degenerative ailments such as general immune weakness.

Mexican Wild Yam Root (Mexican Wild Yam root)

Actions: Antispasmodic, hepatic, anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, cholagogue, uterine tonic.

Common Use: This valuable herb was at one time the sole source of the chemicals that were used as the raw materials for contraceptive hormone manufacture. In 1936, Japanese researchers discovered glycoside saponins in several Mexican yam species, from these, steroid saponins, primarily diosgenin, could be derived. These derivatives could then be converted to progesterone, an intermediate in cortisone production. Steroid drugs derived from diosgenin include corticosteroids, oral contraceptives, androgens and estrogens (yams do not contain , as sometimes believed, full blown estrogens or other hormones - these substances are produced after four processing steps). Such findings might help explain why, during the previous two centuries of American medicine, wild yam roots have successfully been employed in treating menstrual cramps, ovarian neuralgia and cramps, after pains and other problems of menses and child birth. Also known to have a therapeutic action on overall liver health, it is believed that wild yam root's ability to lower blood cholesterol levels and lower blood pressure indirectly helps the liver by increasing its efficiency and reducing stress. Also indicated in the relief of rheumatoid arthritis, especially the acute phase where there is intense inflammation.

Chinese Dong Quai Root (Angelica sinensis)

Actions: Female tonic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, sedative, anti-spasmodic, immune stimulant.

Common Use: Dong Quai is the most important female tonic remedy in Chinese Medicine. It is used for debility and poor vitality, convalescence and tiredness in women as well as all kinds of gynecological, menstrual, or menopausal symptoms. Dong Quai is also used to provide energy, vitality and resistance to disease and is a wonderful blood tonic, promoting its production and circulation. It is therefore used in treating anemia, boils, headaches, venous problems, low immunity and problems of peripheral blood flow. This plant also has a reputation as a liver tonic, protecting the liver against toxins and stimualting liver metabolism. Not recommended if nursing or pregnant unless under the guidance of a medical professional.

Chinese Lycium berry or WolfBerry (Lycium barbarum)

Actions: Nutritive tonic, liver tonic, hypotensive.

Contents: These berries are very nourishing and can help supply the important nutrients that cells, tissues and organs need for proper functioning. They contain betaine, vitamin A, B1, B2, C, calcium, phosphorus, iron, zeaxanthin, physalein and linolein acid. Studies have shown an extract of this herb to inhibit the precipitation of fat in liver cells and promote the regeneration of liver cells. It has also shown a hypoglycemia effect; helping to lower the level of blood sugars, and a hypotensive effect; decrease in blood pressure and the ability to stimulate breathing. This herb is a good supplement for the liver and kidneys, it can help produce sperm and blood and has been used successfully to clear vision problems. Not recommended if nursing or pregnant.

Indian Turmeric rhizome (Curcumin longa)

Actions: Cholagogue, hepatic, stomachic, carminative, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial.

Common Uses: Turmeric is an essential flavoring ingredient in many Indian and other ethnic cuisines, it provides the yellow color of many curry dishes and helps to render the food more digestible. Studies on Turmeric have shown that the herb possesses cholagogue-type substances which increase the secretions of bile. Most prominent among these substances is curcumin. Curcumin possesses liver protective activity, detoxifying dangerous carcinogens, stimulating the gall-bladder and acting as a free-radical scavenger. It has also been suggested that Turmeric lowers blood cholesterol, helps with weight loss and inhibits platelet aggregation. Turmeric has long been used in folk medicine.

Brazilian Jurubeba herb (Solanum paniculatum)

Actions: Liver and digestive aid.

Common Uses: Jurubeba is probably most popular in Brazil as a hangover remedy. The herb is used after excess food and alcohol consumption to alleviate indigestion and bloating in the stomach. It is also said to be helpful in the relief of irritable bowel syndrome, liver disease such as chronic hepatitis, liver obstruction and swelling of the liver and spleen. Not recommended if nursing or pregnant.

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.

Quebra Pedra (Phyllanthus niruri v. sp.)

Common Use: Quebra Pedra has traditionally been used to strengthen and fortify the liver and gall-bladder functions by stimulating bile production. It has been used in the alternative therapy of hepatitis and liver problems. Quebra Pedra can also clear obstructions throughout the system by promoting the elimination of mucous and kidney stones. As a diuretic it may help with all afflictions of the urinary system, stimulating the elimination of uric acid and helping with urinary tract infections. It may also promote health in those with bronchitis, diabetes and hypertension. Not recommended if nursing or pregnant.