Liver

The liver is located in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, below the diaphragm.

 Functions of the Liver

The liver is an accessory digestive gland which produces bile (an alkaline compound which helps breakdown fat). Bile aids digestion via emulsification (breakdown of fat globules in the duodenum into tiny droplets, which provides a larger surface area on which the enzyme pancreatic lipase can act to digest the fats into fatty acids and glycerol).

The gallbladder, a small pouch under the liver stores bile produces by the liver. Our liver is a highly specialized tissue consisting mostly hepatocytes, regulates biochemical reactions of the body including the synthesis and breakdown of small complex molecules, many of which are necessary for normal vital functions.

Liver’s total number of functions are estimated to be around 500.

Liver Diseases

Our liver is a vital organ that supports almost every other organ of the body. Because of its location and multi-functions, it is unfortunately prone to diseases. The area which is bare on the liver is vulnerable to infections from the abdominal cavity to the thoracic cavity.

Classic symptoms of liver damage include:

• Pale stools. This occurs when stercobilin (which is supposed to be produced in the liver), a brown pigment is absent from the stool.
• Dark urine. This occurs when bilirubin mixes with our urine.
• Which makes your skin/white of the eyes appear yellowish. Excess bilirubin deposits into the skin causing intense itches. Itching is the most common complaint by people who has liver failure and often these itches cannot be relieved by drugs.
• Swelling of the abdomen, ankles and feet. This is because the liver fails to produce albumin a protein which keeps fluid from flowing out of the blood.
• Excessive fatigue because of the general loss of nutrients, minerals and vitamins.
• Bruising and easy bleeding. Since our liver is the one that produces clotting factors, liver damage makes it hard for these factors to be present which makes severe bleeding highly likely to occur.

How to maintain healthy liver?

Did you know that your liver can regenerate itself? The liver is the only internal human organ that is capable of regeneration. As little as 25% of the liver can regenerate into a whole liver. The regeneration however is not restorative, it is merely a restoration of its functions. This means that even though it regenerates, it does not go back to its original shape and size.

In other species such as fish, true regeneration occurs which means that both function and form is restored.

Below is a list of tips to maintain a healthy liver:

1.  Maintain a healthy weight – being obese or overweight means that you might be in danger of having a fatty liver (check with your doctor) which can lead to non-alcoholic liver disease. Weight loss plays an important part in helping to lose liver fat.
2. Balanced diet – eating a balance diet which consists of appropriate amounts of veggie, fruits, carbs and meat will keep your liver healthy. Do also remember to drink a lot of water.
3. Exercising regularly helps burn triglycerides for fuel while reducing liver fat.
4. Limit direct contact with toxins from cleaning and aerosol products, insecticides, chemicals and additives.
5. Limit alcoholic intake as these causes many health problems. They can damage or destroy liver cells and scar the liver.
6. Avoid illicit drugs. These are drugs such as marijuana, hashish, cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants or prescription type psychotherapeutics used non-medically such as pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants and sedatives.
7. Contaminated needles (not only those associated with drug use) should be avoided. Seek professional help following any type of skin penetration. For example, body piercings and tattoos.
8. If for some reason you come into contact with another person’s blood, follow up with a doctor immediately.
9. Do not share your personal hygiene items such as razors, toothbrushes and nail clippers.
10. Practice safe sex. Unprotected sex increases the risk of hepatitis B and C.
11. Practice basic cleanliness. Wash your hands with soap.
12. Follow doctor’s medical prescription on medication and medical drugs.
13. Get your vaccination for Hepatitis A & B.

Here in Tea Bird, we take your health seriously. We paired up with our nutritionist and blender in Australia to bring you Liver Detox Tea Bird Tea.

All ingredients are specifically blended to gently detox your liver, enabling you to enjoy life and live your best!

Ingredients: organic ginger root, organic burdock root, organic liquorice root, organic dandelion root, organic nettle leaf

Ginger root: To slow the production of triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol in the liver. Triglycerides are fat found in the blood. When we eat, our body converts calories that it doesn’t need immediately into triglycerides and these are stored in fat cells.

If you are someone who likes to eat and try different food all the time, your body will have excessive triglycerides.

Ginger root is also used to treat nausea and aids in digestion. It has anti-inflammatory properties which is ideal to drink to treat conditions such as arthritis and gout. If you have a gassy stomach and indigestion, this tea can also help you. It is often consumed to boost the immune system.

Burdock root:  Used to purify the blood by removing toxins from the liver.

Liquorice: Known to enhance the elimination of mucus from the lungs and help the liver neutralise toxins

Dandelion root: As a blood purifier that aids in removing toxins from both the liver and kidneys. To normalise blood sugar levels, reduce high cholesterol levels. Because of its detoxifying and diuretic action, it is used as an aid to weight loss. Dandelion root is high in Vitamins A, C & D, potassium, iron and zinc.

Nettle leaf:  Believed to provide beneficial support for the kidneys and liver. A powerful blood purifier that drives out toxins

Get it here: https://www.teabirdtea.com/products/liver-detox

Serve:   1 teaspoon per 200 ml. Brew with boiling water 5-10 minutes. Enjoy without milk.  Honey or lemon juice optional.  Caffeine level:  Caffeine free

Taste:  Sweet, spicy, herbal

Alternatively, try our Dandelion Tea Bird Tea which is priced at RM25 per loose leaf packet (other sizes available too!) This has strong nutty taste compared to that of Liver Detox which is of a different flavour profile if you think that Liver Detox is too strong for you. Get you Dandelion Tea Bird Tea here: https://www.teabirdtea.com/products/dandelion