The Surprising Thing Garlic Can Do To Your Liver

The foods we eat have an impact on our liver health. The liver performs a variety of vital tasks for our body, such as eliminating toxins from our blood and controlling hormones, blood sugar, and cholesterol. An improperly functioning liver can result in numerous major health problems.

While the liver is self-cleaning, there are steps we can take to help it along. We're all aware that limiting alcohol intake is a good start, but there are other harmful substances that might harm the liver besides alcohol. Certain medications, a bad diet, and chemicals, such as insecticides, can also harm the liver.

Garlic tincturePhoto byRichelleg

Garlic's Health Benefits for the Liver

Garlic has strong therapeutic qualities, well beyond just making food taste better. Anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory; garlic improves immune system function, lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, and assists in the prevention of dementia and Alzheimer's disease in the brain.

Prevents Damage to the Liver

Because garlic is hepatoprotective, it can aid in preventing toxins that can harm the liver and result in serious liver ailments. Garlic can lessen the negative effects of harmful substances we consume in our livers.

Reduces Levels of Liver Enzyme

Elevated ALT and AST levels in blood samples may signify illness or damage to the liver. People with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease discovered that taking garlic every day reduced blood levels of AST and ALT.

Garlic and peppercornsPhoto byRichelleg

Lessens Accumulation Of Fat In The Liver

Frequent garlic consumption has been shown to lower liver fat formation in people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Anti-C Properties

Garlic has been shown to have anti-C properties, attacking bad cells in the body.

Homemade Garlic Tonic

In addition to garlic, which is known to boost liver health, this homemade liver tonic also contains two other potent herbs. You don't have to use the two other herbs; just the garlic alone will help. But all together, it's a powerful tonic.

Herbalists love dandelion for its ability to support and enhance liver health. It's full of phytochemicals, which help treat liver illness and enhance liver function. Along with it, there is turmeric. Turmeric's beneficial health effects are enhanced when combined with black pepper.

Ingredients

12 peeled garlic cloves

3 tablespoons of dried dandelion root or flowers

3 tablespoons powdered turmeric

Five black peppercorns

1 1/2 cups of apple cider vinegar

Garlic, dandelion and tumeric tonicPhoto byRichelleg/canva

Directions

Put everything together in a canning jar or something with a tight lid.

Close the jar firmly and shake well to mix the ingredients.

Make sure the vinegar is completely submerged in all the herbs. If not, cover with additional apple cider vinegar.

Garlic is for more than flavor!Photo byRichelleg

Place the jar in an area that will keep it out of direct sunlight. Make sure the vinegar isn't touching the metal lid by putting parchment paper over the jar first and then tightening the lid.

Allow to steep for 2–4 weeks, shaking daily.

Strain the herbs, and put the tincture back in a clean jar.

The tonic should be kept cold and out of direct sunlight. Although it is not necessary to refrigerate this tonic, doing so will increase its shelf life. It should be used between six months and a year.

Garlic tonic in a dropperPhoto byRichelleg

How To Use

This tonic can be combined with olive oil, which is also good for the liver, to create a tasty and nutritious salad dressing that supports liver function. You can also take a dropperful of this tonic in a glass of water. Cut the garlic with a little honey to soften the taste.

Yes, you can also just eat more fresh garlic in your diet.

Citations:

Zhang, Z. F. (2019). Raw Garlic Consumption and Risk of Liver C: A Population-Based Case-Control Study in Eastern China. Nutrients, 11(9), 2038. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11092038

Jones, S. (2024, July 8). 8 Best Foods to Cleanse Your Liver - Tandem Clinical Research. Tandem Clinical Research. https://www.tandemclinicalresearch.com/blog/best-foods-to-cleanse-your-liver/

Zou, L., Zhang, R., Gao, H., Xiao, J., & Tipoe, G. L. (2018). Garlic and Liver Diseases. In Elsevier eBooks (pp. 337–347). https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-803951-9.00028-8