Not easy to be reasonable on a New Year's Eve. But after so much abundance, our belly sometimes grimaces, squirms and it's a crisis... of liver. In order not to spoil the end of the year, there are fortunately natural solutions. But above all, are you sure that only the liver is involved?
The “liver attack”: explanations
In case of excess food, fat, sugar, often washed down with alcohol, it is in truth the stomach that toasts first. When it's too much, he is able to energetically evacuate all his content and then make us pay for it for a few days. It is a blessing in disguise because this defense mechanism puts our digestive system on forced rest to preserve our health. But what happens when a gargantuan meal is still digested? The overloads caused end up passing into the blood and it is our liver that supports them. In this case, the consequences may be fatigue, nausea, slow digestion or even immune weakness. A malaise that can overwhelm us for a long time, without even thinking of making the link with excess. To have a good holiday, we must therefore remain reasonable, but we can also provide natural support for our liver and our stomach.
Stomach: the hub of energy
Have you ever kneaded a foam ball with your hand for several hours? It's tiring ! This is exactly what our stomach experiences when churning out a hearty meal. This digestive "pocket" is largely made up of powerful muscles and, like all muscles, they need rest. As a general rule, the best rest will be that which occurs between meals. Ban snacks that tire the stomach and the entire digestive system, and wait at least two to three hours before eating again. And keep in mind that a heavy meal can take up to six hours to digest! Second important point: the stomach is very sensitive to dehydration. If he works more than usual, hydrate him more. Especially since alcohol is well known to dehydrate (see box 1). Lack of hydration may even be the only cause of heartburn and heartburn.
Bitter plants, queens of digestion
Do you know the best friend of the stomach and digestion? It’s bitterness… As soon as they come into contact with our mouth, bitter plants trigger a whole bunch of processes. Via the pneumogastric nerve which is connected to the stomach, the liver and the intestine, the message passes: “activate your secretions, move yourself! ". Saliva becomes more abundant, then gastric secretions and further bile, which will be poured out abundantly by the liver and its gall bladder. Digestive enzymes and hormones flow through the digestive tract to process food and then pass it through the bloodstream. Bitterness jointly activates the motricity of the digestive tract and allows the food bolus to progress more easily. Consider foods such as escarole, endives, chicory, or even dandelion leaves in the spring, which are naturally bitter. Incorporate finely cut vegetables with milder raw vegetables to mask the bitterness to which our palates are no longer accustomed. For a more marked action of bitter principles, consider plants such as gentian and wormwood. They already enjoy a strong reputation as an aperitif and it's not for nothing!
Absinthe, gentian: instructions for use
Commercial aperitifs based on wormwood or gentian are too sweet and alcoholic, and the amount of bitter principles they contain is relatively low compared to these plants in hydroalcoholic extracts. Taking bitter substances in liquid form allows the bitterness to come into contact with the mouth right away, which will not happen with capsules. In herbal tea, these plants will be very difficult to drink. With these remedies, do not play the hero! Too much bitterness leads to an excess of tonicity and digestive secretions which could lead to vomiting... This shows their power!
To support your digestion, start with a hydroalcoholic extract of either plant, a week before the holidays. Put 5 to 10 drops in half a glass of water before each meal, and at the time of heavy meals, go up to 20 to 30 drops. Leave a few moments in the mouth before drinking. If the bitterness is really unbearable for you, opt for the capsules at the rate of 200 to 400 mg of plant before each meal. Gentian and wormwood are not recommended for pregnant women and children under 6 years old.
The liver, a strained filter
Even with a balanced diet, the liver still has a lot to do: toxins to eliminate, hormones and proteins to manufacture, cholesterol to manage, glucose to store... So imagine when, in addition, it has to digest a festive meal! To preserve it, you must first get rid of its biggest enemies: alcohol and food overload (difficult to avoid them during these festive periods), cold and stress... If abstinence from alcohol is not not in your plans, know that your liver will eliminate 90% of it, the rest will be processed by the kidneys, skin and lungs. When you drink too much too quickly, alcohol toxicity is no longer limited to the liver but affects the brain, heart and nervous system.
The Liver Protector Trio
If nature is full of liver stimulating plants, the choice remains much more limited when it comes to countering excess alcohol and toxins. Here are three plants that work wonders. Taken together, they will avoid difficult tomorrows, the destruction of liver cells, will keep our defense systems alert against attacks (viruses, bacteria, cold, stress, etc.) and will stimulate our digestion.
There is no question here of encouraging you to drink or eat more "thanks to plants", but in the event of excess, some natural supports can avoid the harmful consequences.
- Chrysanthellum (Chrysanthellum americanum), a major hepato-stimulant plant, eliminates alcohol 2 to 5 times faster and protects the liver from ethanol. Its choleretic effect (which increases bile secretion) will be beneficial for digestion.
- Milk thistle (Sylibum marianum) protects the liver from toxins, including alcohol. It improves fat digestion.
- Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis) supports and protects the liver, promotes adaptation to stress, protects the nervous system, improves lucidity and reflexes.
Two days before a festive meal, take 2 capsules of each plant that you will renew with each meal during the following 4 to 6 days. For the holidays, you can take this trio from December 22 to January 6, or even longer if needed. Be careful, these plants do not allow you to drive if you have drunk alcohol. Stay careful!
The best natural digestives
After meals, it happens to feel a blockage, a heaviness. Here are some remedies that can work quickly.
- The Swedish elixir, a traditional remedy from the 17th century, is to be consumed at the rate of a teaspoon in a little water after a meal. Available in specialized stores, also in an alcohol-free version, but the action will be slightly less effective.
- Pan masala or Mukhuvas, chewable seed mixtures often mix anise, liquorice, fennel, mint, arac nuts, sesame, Indian thyme, coriander and small balls of sugar . To buy on the Internet, in Indian grocery stores, or to prepare yourself.
- The carminative herbal tea with digestive properties is to be prepared by mixing the following seeds: dill, caraway, cumin, coriander, green anise and fennel in equal parts. Add ½ volume of angelica seeds. Infuse 2 tablespoons for a liter of water for 10 minutes, filter and drink.
- Move during the meal and between meals. Ventilate yourself regularly.
- Avoid foods that are too fatty such as peanuts at the start of a meal, mayonnaise or butter logs.
- Avoid mixing too many foods or too many different alcohols that strain the digestive system. Instead, turn to simple foods such as shellfish, raw vegetables and choose light alcohols such as wines, or even alcohol-free cocktails.
- If you are the host, choose organic foods as much as possible. Food overload clogs the digestive tract, but the chemicals in conventional foods poison the liver.
- Finally, eat slowly to avoid eating a lot. Have a good holiday!
Water: the best cure for a hangover!
Digestive enzymes
Lemon is your savior!
- During the meal, on salmon, oysters or in lemonade drinking water, it will facilitate digestion.
- If you feel digestive discomfort, a lemon juice in water can do wonders. To be renewed at the rate of 2 to 3 lemons per day.
- If you are already bedridden from too much excess or from a cold snap, consume it hot with honey.