LIVER/GALLBLADDER FLUSH

Gallstones are the result of a congested liver not able to detox naturally. Sediment from the liver settles in the bile and accumulates in the gallbladder, blocking the bile duct that leads to the duodenum. Eating a whole-foods diet and avoiding foods high in fat is a recommended treatment for first softening gallstones before flushing them from the system.

Before attempting to flush gallstones from your gallbladder check with a reputable holistic medical practitioner and proceed under his/her guidance.

In Healing with Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition, Paul Pitchford recommends the following 21-day plan to slowly dissolve the stones. Each day, along with eating a balanced whole foods diet, you should also:

• Eat one or two radishes.
• Drink five cups of chamomile tea.
• Add 2 1/2 teaspoons of fresh, cold-pressed flax oil to two meals.

After the 21 days continue using the flax seed six days a week, over the next two months.
Along with this plan he suggests you include foods that help to dissolve gallstones, such as pears, apples, parsnips, sea vegetables, lemons, limes, grapefruit, and the spice turmeric. According to Pitchford, this program will safely remove all sediment from your gallbladder.

SEVEN DAY LIVER/GALLBLADDER FLUSH

The ingredients of this 7 day flush has you including green apples into your diet, for the six days prior to doing the full flush.

For days one through six you will need:

• 4 Granny Smith apples
• 2 glasses of fresh organic apple juice

Have the apples and juice each day while continuing to eat a whole-foods diet low in fatty foods.
One hour before bed each night, mix together:

• 2 TB. cold-pressed olive oil
• 2 TB. lemon or grapefruit juice, freshly squeezed
• 8 oz. distilled water (warm or room temperature)

Drink slowly and immediately go to bed, lying on your right side. Repeat this protocol for six days.
On day seven have a colonic or give yourself an enema in the morning. The colonic will help to alleviate any uncomfortable reactions to the flush such as cramping, nausea, headaches, and heartburn.
Following the colonic, drink only the fresh apple juice and eat lightly cooked foods for the remainder of the day. Eating raw foods after a colonic can cause indigestion.

NOTE: Colonics and enemas are both hydrotherapies that involve introducing water through the rectum in order to cleanse the colon. The key differences between colonics and enemas are that colonics cleanse the entire length of the large intestine and require professional assistance; while enemas can be done at home, but only reach the lower section of the large intestine.

One hour before bed mix together:

• 2/3 cup cold-pressed olive oil
• 1/3 cup lemon or grapefruit juice
• 8 oz. distilled water

Sip slowly; when done go to bed and lie on your right side.
In the morning you will have diarrhea and pass the stones. Following this give yourself an enema or go for a colonic. This step will help to wash out any remaining toxins that have been flushed out of the gallbladder and into the intestines. Use the remainder of the day to rest and relax.

The gallbladder flush has been successfully used by thousands of people over the years. Variations on the flush have been created by alternative health practitioners, and they basically use similar ingredients, but in varying amounts.

Excerpted from The Complete Idiot's Guide to Detoxing Your Body, by Delia Quigley