The Liver - our industrious companion

The liver, the hard-working giant of the digestive tract, is one of the largest and most important organs in the body, writes Naturopath Kathryn Terrill.

How the liver functions

Weighing in at around 1.4 kg for an average adult, and located almost entirely under the right side of the rib cage, the liver is the second largest organ of the body; the skin being the only organ larger.

The liver is a brilliant multi-tasker! Some of the vital functions it performs include:

• Bile production and secretion (bile is the substance that breakdowns fats in our digestive tract) 
• Carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism (i.e. breakdown, re-organisation and distribution) 
• Detoxification of drugs, hormones and other potentially harmful substances 
• Storage and distribution of certain vitamins (A, B12, D, E and K) and minerals (iron and copper) 
• Activation of vitamin D

Naturopathic significance

From a naturopathic perspective, supporting and improving liver health is a key treatment focus for a wide variety of conditions, including nausea, bloating, skin conditions, premenstrual syndrome and autoimmune conditions. Herbal medicine is one of the many ways of supporting your liver naturally.

Milk thistle: The protector and repairer

Milk thistle or St Mary's Thistle is one herbal treatment that deserves a closer look.

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) seeds have been traditionally used in Western herbal medicine for over 2000 years¹, and its benefits for liver health have been backed up by numerous references in modern times. This herb has an impressive portfolio of actions, but it is most well-known for its ability to protect liver cells and help the function of the liver².

Have you been overindulging lately?

One too many cheese plates with red wine? Perhaps a night out on the town or a run on chocolate ice-cream? Milk thistle may well be a good friend.

This amazing herb simultaneously helps digestive disturbances³ as it:

• increases bile production to help digest rich fatty foods 
• uses its antioxidant capacity to protect liver cells from toxic substances⁴ 
• has the capacity to support the detoxification process

LEARN MORE WAYS TO HELP SUPPORT YOUR LIVER

Did you know?

• The gallbladder is a separate organ to the liver, although it is closely attached. Its only real purpose is to store and concentrate bile, which is a fat-dissolving substance
• The liver is made up of hexagonal shaped ‘liver lobules' which are sesame seed sized. These are the functional units of the liver
• The word ‘cirrhosis' means orange. It refers to a chronic inflammatory liver condition that usually results from chronic alcoholism or severe chronic hepatitis

Before taking Milk Thistle, we recommend you consult a qualified healthcare professional for advice tailored to your individual circumstances or if symptoms persist.