Herbs And Spices To Boost Your Liver Health

If you love cooking, you're probably an expert at using herbs and spices to enhance your dish. Even if you don't, you must have heard of the various herbs and spices or seen them at your grocery store.

But have you ever wondered, what spices can do apart from adding taste to your food? Well, here's a fact for you. A few herbs and spices of are extremely good for our liver health and can significantly improve our overall health.

But you must be confused about which herbs and spices are good for your liver. Let's discuss them.

Importance of liver health

As you know, the liver is the largest internal digestive organ in our body, which is irreplaceable in essential physiological processes. However, it is vulnerable to a wide variety of factors, such as toxins, microorganisms, metabolic products, circulatory materials, and neoformations.

There are many types of liver diseases such as viral hepatitis, alcohol abuse, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Recent research on functional foods showed that many herbal and nutritional supplements have mechanisms of action that are beneficial to the liver.

Beneficial herbs and spices for better liver health

1. Long pepper

Long pepper has hepatoprotective activity, which means it can protect the liver cells. It can even help in preventing jaundice. It may be effective against viral hepatitis as well.

2. Holy Basil

Holy basil also shows hepatoprotective activity. It also shows antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which can be good for your liver.

3. Ginseng

Ginseng has strong antioxidant effects and may help protect against liver injury caused by viruses, toxins, and alcohol. Also, it may boost liver cell regeneration after surgery.

4. Licorice

Licorice root has anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and liver-protective effects. The main active component in licorice root is the saponin compound glycyrrhizin, which is commonly used to treat many ailments, including liver disease.

5. Turmeric

Turmeric and its main active component curcumin have powerful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties, which makes this herb a popular choice for those with liver disease. It can be helpful in reducing the liver fat content in those with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

6. Ginkgo biloba

Ginkgo biloba is a well-known herbal supplement that improves liver health and liver function. It can even benefit those with liver fibrosis.

7. Garlic

Garlic is a popular component of many herbal remedies. It's rich in potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory plant compounds, such as allicin, alliin, and ajoene, which improve liver health.

8. Ginger

Ginger root is a popular culinary ingredient all over the world and is also commonly used as a herbal medicinal treatment for improving liver health.

Conclusion

To summarise, it is highly advisable to include beneficial herbs and spices in your daily diet. Due to the presence of several essential nutrients, they have significant potential to treat or prevent liver health.

To know more about how your nutrition affects your health, read our nutrition blogs!