Everyone’s liver could use a little extra support now and then. Especially if you took yesterday’s advice and whipped up that perfect margarita recipe. Neal’s Yard Remedies’ recently released book, Healing Foods,
is one of our favorite new resources for learning about the therapeutic uses of different foods, herbs and drinks. We love the layout – think old German botanical charts meet modern cookbook – and the suggested meal plan below for improved liver health is a perfect example of just how practical the book can be.
As all you readers across the pond know already, Neal’s Yard Remedies is a healthy girl’s super-brand, producing everything from natural skincare and beauty to herbal supplements and books like this one. Just as all of our London-based pals predicted, we’re hooked on everything NYR! Enjoy this menu and enter to win the book below…
The liver needs all the help it can get – it has the job of breaking down and eliminating every dietary and environmental toxin in our bodies. This one-day plan will give you an idea of which foods can help stimulate the natural detoxifying processes in the liver and encourage regeneration.
The mung bean and broccoli stir-fry recipe is bursting with ingredients to strengthen the liver, which helps the body to eliminate toxic substances, clear blood vessels, and enhance bowel movements and urine output. Both chicory and artichokes are known as remedies for issues relating to the liver; in traditional Chinese medicine, sour foods and leafy green foods are thought to help strengthen and cleanse the liver.
Cleansing Breakfast
Grapefruit is an effective cleansing and antioxidant-rich fruit great for liver health. Combine it with a detoxifying, freshly juiced fruit and vegetable juice for an invigorating start to your day.
Apple:
Triterpenoids in the skin have potent protective activity for liver cells.
Carrot:
Its carotenoid content helps prevent oxidative damage inside the body.
Mint:
A herb with tonic and decongestant properties.
Grapefruit:
Contains enzymes that help the liver break down toxins more efficiently.
Liver-Boosting Lunch
Cynarin, an active chemical constituent in globe artichokes, helps improve the proper functioning of both the liver and gall bladder – it causes increased bile flow and is an aid to digestion, making artichokes an ideal food to support the health of the liver.
Globe Artichoke:
Contains bioactive phytonutrients for liver and gut health.
Lemon:
The ultimate liver-cleansing fruit, it is high in vitamin C and bioflavonoids.
Olive Oil:
Stimulates activity in the liver, gall bladder, and bile duct.
Garlic:
Activates liver enzymes that support detoxification.
Parsley
A gently stimulating herb that encourages the elimination of toxins; also contains vitamins and minerals.
Regenerative Dinner
In traditional Chinese medicine, the liver is strengthened by eating sour-flavored foods and cleansed by green leafy foods. This dish is bursting with ingredients that help the body eliminate toxic substances, clear blood vessels, and enhance bowel movement and urine output.
Green mango:
Its sweet-sour flavor increases liver and gall-bladder function.
Mung bean sprouts:
Abundant in minerals and fiber that are essential for detoxing.
Carrots:
Contain antioxidants renowned to enliven the liver.
Lime:
Source of healing vitamin C and liver tonic.
chicory:
Traditionally used to cool and cleanse the liver.
Purple sprouting broccoli:
Contains sulphur compounds to support the liver’s ability to detoxify chemicals in the body.
Mung Bean And Purple Sprouting Broccoli Stir-fry 4 Tbsp vegetable stock For the dressing: To make the dressing, in a jug, combine the lime juice and zest, pumpkin oil, mustard, and honey, and set aside. Place the vegetable stock in a wok and heat gently. Add the tamari soy sauce, olive oil, ginger, and chili, and stir. Add the carrots and broccoli, stir again, and add the mung bean sprouts and mango, and sauté for 1 more minute. Divide the chicory leaves between 4 serving plates, arranging them in a rosette. Spoon a small amount of stir-fried vegetables into the middle of each rosette. Drizzle with the dressing and sprinkle black sesame seeds on top. Serve with boiled rice.
Serves 4Ingredients
1 Tbsp tamari soy sauce
1 Tbsp olive oil
3/4″ piece of fresh ginger root, peeled and julienned
1 small chili, deseeded and julienned
2 medium carrots, peeled and julienned
14 oz purple sprouting broccoli, trimmed and chopped into florets
9 oz mung bean sprouts
1 small green mango, stone removed, peeled, and julienned
4 large heads of chicory, leaves separated
1 Tbsp black sesame seeds
juice and zest of 1 lime
2 Tbsp pumpkin oil
1 tsp whole-grain mustard
1 tsp honeyDirections
Win the Book!
We’re giving away one copy of Neal’s Yard Remedies’ new book Healing Foods! To win, Instagram your best smoothie, supplement or healthy meal to support liver health or nurse a hangover! Tag your ‘gram #TCMhealthyhangover and we’ll select one lucky ‘grammer tomorrow morning to win the new book! But act fast – this giveaway ends tomorrow morning. Good luck!
Open to U.S. residents only. Giveaway closes 9AM PST March 12, 2014.
