Spring is upon us and we can already feel the energy of the sun's rays pervading us.

Spring is the season of the awakening of life; according to Traditional Chinese Medicine it is connected to the Energy Movement of Wood, which in the Theory of the 5 Elements is the son of Water, mother of Fire, grandfather of Earth and grandson of Metal.

Wood is functionally connected to two organs: Liver and Gall Bladder; its characteristic is that of vital impetus, that is, of generating, giving birth, gushing or turning outwards.

In fact, it is connected to the propulsive force of the nascent Yang, also called "young Yang".

If we are in balance and live according to the laws of nature, this season will bring us creativity, joy of living, courage and readiness for action; but sometimes the arrival of the beautiful season catches us unprepared because we are still absorbed by the contraction due to the Yin of winter.

During the cold season we may have accumulated toxins, so the body and liver may need purification.

In fact, during spring, it may happen that you feel tired, asthenic, sleepy and "slowed down" even in organic functions, such as digestion.

So, spring is the ideal season to do some major liver detox work.

Nature, as always, is perfect and harmonious, in fact, in this season it gives us all the plants that have a positive tropism towards the Liver and Gall Bladder (artichoke, dandelion, endive, turnip greens, cruciferous vegetables)

It is advisable to follow an adequate diet by increasing the consumption of bitter plants, but it is also possible to support it with the use of suitable supplements.

In this case, both plants from the Mediterranean tradition, which is complementary to Traditional Chinese Medicine, and those from the Ayurvedic tradition can come to our aid.

The DEPUR-HERB® remedy produced by the Di Leo Herbal Laboratory is a compound of plants suitable for the elimination of toxins:

• • ARTICHOKE (Cynara scolymus L.) leaves

It is a perennial herb, native to southern Europe. The drug is obtained from the leaves. Its main activities are: hepatoprotective, detoxifying, choleretic and hypocholesterolemic, in fact, it is able to reduce the production of cholesterol and triglycerides; furthermore it also acts on the metabolism of urea as it helps to reduce azotemia.

According to TCM it has a neutral, slightly refreshing nature, its bitter taste gives a descending movement of Qi, useful in case of perverse Gall Bladder Qi. Furthermore, it also works indirectly on the Spleen-Pancreas as they are affected in case of overcontrol of Wood on Terra.

• • MILK THISTLE (Silybum marianum Gaert) fruit

It is an annual plant, characterized by thorny leaves and milky-white veins. It takes its name "marianum" from the belief according to which the Virgin Mary's milk fell on the grass, marking its leaves forever. The drug is obtained from the fruit and has hepatoprotective and regenerative activity towards the hepatocyte, thanks to the presence of silymarin. Furthermore, silymarin hinders the penetration of toxic substances into the liver cells, protecting them from degenerative processes. In fact, it is a very useful remedy in case of excessive consumption of alcohol and drugs.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine it is useful in cases of Liver Qi Stasis.

• • KINDBAND (Polygonum aviculare L.) aerial parts

It is a spontaneous and weedy plant belonging to the Polygonaceae family, it has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial properties and is vasoconstrictor.

According to TCM it has a refreshing nature, therefore it is a mild anti-inflammatory.

• • DANDELION (Taraxacum officinale Weber) plant

Also known as "Dandelion", it is a perennial plant native to Europe, used above all for its purifying and diuretic properties. It acts on the elimination of waste and consequently helps the hepatorenal district.

In the East it is known by the name “pu-gong-ying”; It was used for its bitter taste and cold nature. It nourishes the Liver and Stomach meridians and one of its main therapeutic applications is to remove excess heat and toxic fire.

• • BOLDO (Peumus boldus Molina) leaves

It is an evergreen plant native to Chile. The drug is obtained from the leaves and contains mainly boldine. Boldine is a cholagogue alkaloid, meaning it stimulates the secretion of bile and facilitates its evacuation into the intestine. It is also hepatoprotective and is commonly used to treat gallstones.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, boldo works on the Gall Bladder Qi, rectifying it.

• • BERBER (Berberis vulgaris L.) root bark

It is a choleretic plant and stimulant of digestive function.

According to TCM it supports the Wood-Earth axis and due to its antispasmodic properties it modulates the Fire lodge. Furthermore, the use of the root bark makes it a remedy with a warm and bitter taste, capable of draining excess humidity. It is also useful in liver Yin deficiency as it assists the purifying action of the blood.

• • MINT (Mentha piperita L.) top

It is an aromatic perennial plant widespread throughout the world. Its main component, menthol, has antispasmodic qualities, especially of smooth muscles; it is carminative, cholagogue and choleretic.

According to TCM, it has a refreshing nature and regulates Liver and Gall Bladder Qi.

• • HORSERADISH (Raphanus sativus L.) root

Also known as Black Horseradish, it has numerous stimulating activities on the hepatic emunctory; in fact, it promotes hepatobiliary drainage and helps empty the gall bladder.

According to TCM it acts in case of "rebellion of wood on metal" syndrome, in fact, it is a remedy used in case of allergies, hives and constipation. It drains moisture and dissolves phlegm, thanks to its spicy flavor.

Ayurvedic Medicine also suggests its own remedies for liver purification.

There is an excellent food supplement Bi Liv on the market from the Nawayto company which contains herbs from the Ayurvedic tradition, but known throughout the world, suitable for this purpose:

• • Phyllanthus (Phyllantus niruri L.) herba

It is a perennial herbaceous plant, native to the tropical countries of the Amazon rainforest. It has always been known for its hepatoprotective and antilithiasis properties (helps dissolve gallstones and urinary stones). The drug, i.e. the part of the plant containing the active ingredients, is made up of the whole plant, and has a bitter taste.

It has been used for millennia by Ayurveda for problems related to the genitourinary system, for skin lesions and metabolic disorders. The bitter taste contains the elements air and ether. It is light, refreshing and drying. Increases Vata, while drying and reducing Kapha and refreshing Pitta.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, phyllanthus helps dissolve phlegm, which originates in conditions of heat and humidity and manifests itself with gallstones and kidney stones and gout.

• • Tribulus terrestris L. herba

It is a perennial shrub that grows wild in India. It has been used in the Indian and Chinese herbal tradition for centuries. It has a regulatory and purifying action (acts in dysfunctions of renal, hepatic and gastrointestinal origin). The active ingredient is represented by some steroidal saponins which act on the pituitary gland, stimulating testosterone in men and female hormones in women, without causing overproduction, but with a modulating effect.

In India it is called GOKSURA, according to Ayurveda, its properties are to purify and harmonize the vata (wind) and the pitta (fire), thus curing the problems inherent to their imbalance, while it is neutral towards kapha (phlegm ).

According to TCM it calms the wind and promotes the circulation of Liver Qi.

• • Valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.) radix

It is a perennial herb native to Eurasia. Valerenic acid, contained in the essential oil, reveals a notable spasmodic and muscle-relaxing action as well as a sedative effect on the central nervous system, hence its use in cases of insomnia and mental overfatigue.

From an Ayurvedic point of view it is considered to be warming in nature, with a bitter, pungent, astringent and spicy taste. It pacifies all doshas (Vata-Pitta-Kapha).

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, valerian is an excellent remedy in case of Liver Fire and Wind which disturb the Fire Lodge and therefore the Shen, causing insomnia.

• • Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) summitas

It is a perennial herb, always known for its purifying, diuretic and slightly laxative properties, given the presence of inulin. Therapeutic use is due to its cholagogue and choleretic qualities.

In Ayurveda it is a vegetable characterized by the characteristic of being a plant with a bitter taste, one of the six rasas or flavors. Reduces swelling, detoxifies and cleanses. It is a liver tonic. Tones and strengthens the tissues. Increases Vata and decreases Pitta and Kapha. However, it is good to be careful because in excess it could give rise to typical Vata disorders such as weight loss, irritation, dry skin. On an emotional level it can reduce the level of anger and sense of frustration.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the bitter taste of chicory can rectify the Gall Bladder Qi and harmonize the Liver Qi, so that the Blood (Xue) is also purified.

• • Fumitory (Fumaria officinalis L.) herba

It is a small herb belonging to the Papaveraceae family, characterized by flowers arranged in pink and dark red racemes at the apex. Fumitory is a plant with an amphocholeretic mechanism, that is, it increases insufficient bile flow and slows it down if it is in excess.

In ancient medicine its nature was considered both refreshing and warming and it was a herb with detoxifying qualities, both for its positive effect on the liver and for its ability to purify the blood.

• • Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) rhizoma

It is a perennial herb native to South Asia. The drug is made from the rhizome. Its main action is that of being an excellent anti-inflammatory thanks to the presence of curcumin, the active ingredient of the plant, capable of acting both in the acute phase of inflammation and in the chronic one.

According to Ayurveda, thanks to its warm nature, turmeric helps balance Kapha and Vata, and thanks to its bitter taste, it helps balance Pitta, so turmeric harmonizes all three doshas.

From the point of view of Chinese medicine, turmeric has properties of moving blood, dissolving stasis (resulting in beneficial action on pain) and dispersing wind-humidity (resulting in action in cooling conditions).

• • Caper (Capparis spinosa L.) fructus

It is a small shrub native to the Mediterranean area. It is known for its antioxidant activity, especially on the skin, and for its soothing action.

According to Ayurvedic medicine, caper helps in case of Pitta and Agni imbalance.

Instead, according to TCM it is useful in case of excess phlegm.

• • Barberry (Berberis vulgaris L.) root bark

It is a choleretic plant and stimulant of digestive function.

According to TCM it supports the Wood-Earth axis and due to its antispasmodic properties it modulates the Fire lodge. Furthermore, the use of the root bark makes it a remedy with a warm and bitter taste, capable of draining excess humidity. It is also useful in liver Yin deficiency as it assists the purifying action of the blood.

• • Yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.) herba

It is a herb that grows in southern Europe, western Asia and North America. Azulene represents its main active ingredient, the flavonoids contained in it give it anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and vasculoprotective properties. Furthermore, it has a choleretic action. Its main use is in case of dysmenorrhea.

According to TCM it is a plant that nourishes Yin, especially Blood. Therefore also useful in Liver Yin Deficiency and Liver Blood Deficiency syndromes.

• • Aloe (Aloe vera L.) succus

It is a succulent plant of the Asphodelaceae family, which prefers hot and dry climates. The juice is obtained by incision of the superficial layers of the leaves. The active ingredient is aloin. It has a bitter-tonic, eupeptic and laxative activity. Helps increase peristalsis and mucus production. Promotes the elimination of toxins and liver activity.

According to TCM it works on the Metal-Wood axis in case of pathogenic laws such as overcontrol and rebellion. It helps the bowels of the metal lodge, then the large intestine and the zang fu couple of the wood lodge, liver and gall bladder.

According to Ayurvedic Medicine it pacifies the three Doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) and is especially effective for Pitta but in excessive doses it can aggravate Vata. It is a Rasāyana, or rejuvenating, plant.

• • Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) radix

It is one of the most widespread herbs in Ayurvedic preparations and is used as a flavoring and harmonizing herb.

PLEASE NOTE: The information contained in this article is for informational purposes only and does not replace the advice of your doctor.

The applications reported in no case have a prescriptive or therapeutic nature and must in no way replace the direct doctor-patient relationship or the specialist visit.

Always consult your doctor or specialist beforehand.

BUY DEPUR HERB NOW