Liver Support & Holiday Mocktails
As the sun dips lower in and lower in the sky every day, we modern folk tend to rev up more and more for our holiday festivities. Parties and gatherings abound, many of which are laden with delicious food and drink. We feast, as northern people of old have during this time of year for centuries, celebrating harvests, staying warm, and hoping that we have enough to get through the lean months to come.
Our feasting today, however, is a bit more…indulgent. 17th century folks, for example, might only break out the block of cane sugar from distant lands on Christmas Eve, where as most of us consume it on a regular basis, and more this time of year. All of this additional sugar and alcohol takes a tole on our bodies, as many of us feel in the weeks to follow. Our livers are especially affected.
The Liver is responsible for cleaning up toxins in our body, from the environment, our food, and simple metabolic waste that is naturally occurring in the body. If it’s overworked (which many of ours are) we often see issues such as leaky gut, hormone imbalance, eczema, and many other disruptions.
Thankfully, the good green earth has given us many herbs that support this mighty organ:
HERBS FOR LIVER SUPPORT
MILK THISTLE (Silybum marianum)
Milk thistle is renowned for its liver-protecting properties, thanks to its active compound, silymarin. Silymarin acts as a powerful antioxidant, shielding liver cells from damage caused by toxins, alcohol, and oxidative stress. It also supports liver regeneration and detoxification, helping to heal liver tissue and reduce inflammation, making it beneficial for supporting and preventing liver conditions like fatty liver disease.
YELLOW DOCK (Rumex cripsus)
Yellow dock is traditionally used to stimulate bile production, supporting digestion and fat metabolism. It has natural detoxifying properties, helping the liver eliminate waste and toxins. By promoting bile flow, yellow dock aids in digestion and may improve skin conditions related to poor liver function, making it a wonderful ally in liver health and cleansing.
DANDLEION ROOT (Taraxacum officinale)
Dandelion root supports liver detoxification by stimulating bile production, which helps the liver process and excrete waste efficiently. It is rich in antioxidants, reducing liver inflammation and oxidative stress. Dandelion root also supports digestion, relieving symptoms like bloating and indigestion, which are often linked to liver function.
Find these herbs and more in our Liver Repair Medicine Bundle
MEDICINAL HOLIDAY MOCKTAILS
Digestive bitters are a wonderful way to stimulate healthy bile flow, support the liver, and stimulate digestion during the holiday season. You can make your own at home with liver supporting herbs, or try one (or all!) of our three distinct blends, evocative of some of our favorite elements of the winter tide:
FOREST BITTERS
Our Forest Bitters, crafted with angelica, spruce tips, and chaga, captures the essence of the forest in a revitalizing bitters blend. This earthy elixir offers a refreshing tonic, reminiscent of crisp evergreen air and grounding wet earth.
HEARTH BITTERS
Named for the orange hue, the warm comforting spices, and the mythical silver leafed plant all contained in this bottle, our Hearth bitters are a delicious way to stimulate the hearth within.
ROOT BITTERS
From the rich earth, each drop of our Root Bitters elixir delights the palate with earthy, citrus, and spicy notes, perfect for enhancing digestion and brightening the senses
HOLIDAY MOCKTAIL RECEPIE
+ 2-5 droppers of bitters blend of your choice
+ 6-8oz sparkling mineral water (we like Gerolsteiner.)
+ Garnish with a sprig of fresh herbs or a slice of citrus and enjoy!
