Only two weeks left before our return to Costa Rica! Ready to begin the jigsaw puzzle, how to make 4 suitcases each weigh 49 pounds and have everything we need for six months including supplies for all of you adventuresome health seekers joining us this March.
Part of our preparation is a visit to our local herbalist, Kara, who has formulated our own special liver cleanse tea. We like to give the liver special attention with herbs to support it’s detoxification. Did you know the liver has over two hundred different functions – filtering, regulating , secreting, storing, and breaking down so many different substances in the body? Everything we take in passes though and is purified by the liver. The liver filters a liter of blood every minute. In Chinese medicine the liver is responsible for the smooth flow of Qi. Anger, irritability, and frustration are signs that our Qi is not flowing smoothly.
I asked Kara how the tea works and here are a few things she told me: The herbs are Alteratives and Depuratives. Alteratives “… are valued in holistic health with herbalists and have affinity towards multiple body systems. They are utilized in cleanses and may promote elimination and support immune function. Depurative is a term for herbs thought to only purify the blood. Alteratives have been used by traditional herbalists for blood purifying activity and are purported to change the character of blood and lymph to detoxify and promote renewal of body tissue. Also they support the body’s elimination processes; having some degree of activity on one or all of the organs of elimination—skin, liver, kidneys, lymph, colon and lungs. These herbs are also usually rich in vitamins and minerals.”
Kara also gave us a supply of Tulsi. We’ll be having it as a tea every morning. Tulsi, also known as Holy Basil, is an important herb in Ayurvedic medicine used for its ability to heal both body and mind. It is a powerful adaptogen, helps lower stress, lower blood pressure, increase stamina, boost the immune system, and is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, to mention a few of it’s many uses. And it tastes good.