Liver Blend
Sliybum Marianum - St Mary’s Thistle
Habitat and Cultivation: Originally from the Mediterranean and southwestern Europe, it is naturalised world-wide in waste and cultivated lands. Prefers open sunny situations with adequate water. It grows large with spines and is classified as a noxious weed. Drought and frost resistant.
Parts Used: seeds- which are collected when the white pappus is visible and not too long after the head has opened. Seeds are used for medicine and leaves and stems are used in cooking.
Phytochemistry: flavolignans, flavonoids, amines, polyacetylenes, fixed oils, myristic, palmitic and stearic acids.
Actions: hepatoprotective, digestive tonic, galactogogue, hepatotrophorestorative, choleretic, antioxidant
Indications: support poor digestion due to liver dysfunction, protect the liver, cell regeneration, prevents gallstones, gallbladder issue, skin conditions, toxic/chemical exposure, fatty liver, abnormal liver function.
Contraindications: no known
Herb/Drug Interactions: no known
Cynara Scolymus - Globe Artichoke
Habitat and Cultivation: native to and originally from the Mediterranean region. Likes dee, rich alkaline garden and dies back after flowering. Drought tender, frost resistant.
Parts Used: The leaves, which are at their most bitter just before flowering.
Phytochemistry: sesquiterpene lactones, phenolic acids, flavonoids, coumarins, alkaloids, phytosterols, pseudo tannins, polyacetylenes and a curdling enzymes- cynarase.
Nutritional Content: Provitamins A, B1, B2 and C. Minerals: Iodine
Actions: hepato protective, choleretic, bitter tonic, depurative, antiemetic, diuretic, cholagogue
Indications: bile production and flow, hyperlipidaemia, dyspepsia- abdominal pain, flatulence, fat intolerance, nausea, constipation), IBS, cardiovascular support long term, urinary tract, arthritis, gout.
Contraindications: closure of gallbladder, known allergies to compositae (asteraceae) family,
Herb/Drug Interactions: No known
Taraxacum Officinale – Dandelion Root
Habitat and Cultivation: temperate weed throughout the northern hemisphere and naturalised elsewhere in grasslands, lawns and gardens. Self-sows, deep moist soil. Drought and frost resistant.
Parts Used: Roots- from plants 2 yrs. old or more.
Phytochemistry: sesquiterpenes, taraxacoside, flavonoids, phenolic acid, carotinoids, triterpenoids, coumarins
Nutritional Content: Vitamin- A,B, C and D. Minerals: Potassium, iron, copper, calcium, sodium, phosphorous and zinc.
Actions: diuretic, choleretic, laxative, antirheumatic, bitter tonic.
Indications: hypertension, ascites, indigestion, dyspepsia, constipation, cholelithiasis, jaundice, fluid retention, kidney lithiasis, oliguria, rheumatism, cystitis, restoration of the liver and gallbladder function, bloating, poor appetite, oedema
Contraindications: closure of bile ducks or intestinal obstruction, known allergy or sensitivity to compositae family.
Caution with gallstones
Herb/Drug Interactions: No known
Bupleurum Falcatum - Bupluerum
Habitat and Cultivation: Native to Europe- Spain to Russia, south Italy and Greece and northern Africa. Always seen as a weed commonly found in cultivated land, cornfields, waste places and waysides, loves a well-drained sunny location.
Parts Used: Root
Phytochemistry: Triterpanoids saponins, saikosaponin, sapogenins, pytosterols
Nutritional content:
Actions: anti-inflammatory, antitussive, diaphoretic, hepatoprotective
Indications: chronic inflammatory disorders, fevers, prolapse, liver conditions- enlarged, epigastric pain, indigestion, respiratory infections, common cold, depression, insomnia, tinnitus, blood disorders, poor immunity
Contraindications: can have a sedative effect in some patients.
Herb/Drug Interactions: No known