For most of our younger years many of us felt invisible.  We ate junk foods, did silly things in the name of “fun” and threw caution to the wind. Reality hits when our bodies start catching up to us with age, neglect, or misuse.

This month a dear friend of mine came to me in distress with the news that she had cirrhosis of the liver. She isn’t very old and has four young children.  It was eye opening for us both.  As I began studying the liver a little more I found it ironic that October is also National Liver Awareness month.

The liver is literally the body's filter both physically and emotionally. It makes sure that everything we need is absorbed, and everything that we don't need gets dumped. Just a few of its major functions are:

•    Accesses the energy we need from proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.

•    Stores vitamins, minerals, and sugars.

•    Filters the blood, removing all kinds of harmful substances.

•    Metabolizes, helps utilize, and eliminates excess hormones.

•    Creates substances that enhance our immune system (like gamma globulin).

•    Stores extra blood for emergencies.

•    Helps maintain our electrolyte and water balance.

•    Helps us utilize fat-soluble vitamins (like A, D, E, F, and K).

•    Creates bile, which breaks down fats.

"Emotions that we have not faced, accepted nor dealt with are stored as repressed emotional energy, waiting for a future time when we can learn from them... Since they are filed in our bodies in places of which our conscious mind is not aware, they keep us reminded of their existence in a variety of negative ways. They can cause pain, illness, disease, and malfunction on any and all levels- physical, mental, social, emotional and spiritual." (David Stewart, PhD, Healing Oils of the Bible, 116-117.)

Emotionally, the liver is the anger center.  The emotions of anger, chronic complaining, justification, fault finding, self deception, a desire to control, and a refusal to express feelings are just a few of the emotions that can be trapped in the liver.  To help release these emotions you have many options: energy therapy, essential oils, homeopathic remedies.  Energy therapy is the most effective way of releasing emotions quickly.  Essential oils are another favorite of mine for healing.

The essential oils to help heal the liver and to help release the emotions that are trapped in the liver use: Zendocrine {a blend of essential oils to help support healthy liver function}, geranium, helichrysum {known to heal the emotion anger}, DigestZen {a blend of essential oils}, Cypress, Grapefruit, Myrrh, and Roman Chamomile.

If toxins remains in the body you can experience headaches, fatigue, nerve problems, muscle pain, skin irritations and many health conditions that could slow you down or create serious health problems if not immediately then later in your life.

Here are some of the negative things that could occur with an unhealthy liver:

Hepatitis: Inflammation of the liver, usually caused by viruses like hepatitis A, B, and C. Hepatitis can have non-infectious causes too, including heavy drinking, drugs, allergic reactions, or obesity.

Cirrhosis: Long-term damage to the liver from any cause can lead to permanent scarring, called cirrhosis. The liver then becomes unable to function well.

Liver cancer: The most common type of liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, almost always occurs after cirrhosis is present.

Liver failure: Liver failure has many causes including infection, genetic diseases, and excessive alcohol.

Ascites: As cirrhosis results, the liver leaks fluid (ascites) into the belly, which becomes distended and heavy.

Gallstones: If a gallstone becomes stuck in the bile duct draining the liver, hepatitis and bile duct infection (cholangitis) can result.

Hemochromatosis: Hemochromatosis allows iron to deposit in the liver, damaging it. The iron also deposits throughout the body, causing multiple other health problems.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis: A rare disease with unknown causes, primary sclerosing cholangitis causes inflammation and scarring in the bile ducts in the liver.

Primary biliary cirrhosis: In this rare disorder, an unclear process slowly destroys the bile ducts in the liver. Permanent liver scarring (cirrhosis) eventually develops.

Many naturopathic doctors recommend a liver cleanse at least once a year with the herb milk thistle. Milk thistle has been used as an herbal remedy for over 2,000 years for the liver, kidneys, and gallbladder.  The University of Maryland Medical Center states: “Several scientific studies suggest that substances in milk thistle (especially a flavonoid called silymarin) protect the liver from toxins, including certain drugs such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), which can cause liver damage in high doses. Silymarin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and it may help the liver repair itself by growing new cells.” *

The most exciting thing about this organ is its regenerative abilities.  Left with as little as 25% of its original mass, the liver can regrow what was lost and return to normal size.

Remember to care for the inside of your body as you should the outside of the body.  Internal health as just as important.  Celebrate National Liver Awareness month by cleaning your liver and changing your lifestyle to create a healthier you.

Image Credit: jashbotanicals.com