Fast--Day 1

Today's Menu

If drinking my EveryDay Detox tea means I can't call this part of the fast a "water" fast, then so be it. I still feel fair in describing it water only because I am not taking in any calories, protein, vitamins, etc. If the herbs in the tea (that's all that's in there---herbs) were all included in the supplement pictured to the left, and I downed the pill with warm water, it would be considered a water fast, wouldn't it? To some extreme purists I guess maybe not because even taking the liver support herbs---in any form---would knock it out of "water only" category.

In any case, what I'm doing today is warm tea---using that tea bag 3-4 times, so very weak tea!!-- and the Bupleurum Liver Cleanse support pill two times today(downed with the warm tea).

During a fast the liver is working extremely hard to filter out all the toxins being dumped in the blood and lymph.  When you add to that workload the fact that, to the degree we succumb to the Standard American Diet, all our livers are compromised a good bit----well, I think being very nice to my liver during a fast is super important!!!

Here's what the Traditional Medicines website says about the EveryDay Detox tea:

Personality Balanced, protective and helpful. 
Herbal Power Promotes healthy liver function.* 
Reason to Love Based on a combination of herbs inspired by Traditional Chinese Medicine, our herbalists blended dandelion and chicory roots—bitter and earthy and used to stimulate your liver’s natural detoxification processes*—with schisandra berries, whose use was first documented 5,000 years ago. Called “five flavor berry” in Chinese, schisandra is unique in that it has all five tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter and pungent (or warmly spicy). A delightfully, complex-tasting tea, we love it because it gives the liver the love it deserves. 
Taste A complex blend of all five tastes: sweet, sour, bitter, pungent and salty.

I add the Planetary Herbals liver formula because it contains even more awesome liver lovers!

From the  Planetary Herbals website:
Bupleurum Liver Cleanse™ is a unique herbal formula that unites the healing traditions of three cultures to provide a comprehensive and well-balanced program for deep internal cleansing. It helps the overburdened liver by “dredging” it of old, stored-up waste matter, and strengthening it with nourishing herbs.

The Liver’s Role in Detoxification
The liver is the largest of our vital organs. It is responsible for facilitating digestion and elimination, and filtering potentially toxic waste products from the blood. Liver detoxification is especially important today, due to the increasing prevalence of chemical pollutants in our environment.

Traditional Liver Cleansing
Every culture in the world used to have a traditional practice of cleansing the liver at least once a year. Many of the old people of our own Appalachian Mountains still do this. It is a wise practice to continue. There are many toxins the liver cannot effectively eliminate. Eventually it stores up more than it can handle. This can lead to problems such as environmental sensitivities.

The Bupleurum Liver Cleanse™ Team
Bupleurum is the most widely used herbal detoxifier in Chinese herbalism. It is the major ingredient of literally dozens of herbal “liver” formulas, and is the star of the Bupleurum Liver Cleanse formula. Supporting bupleurum’s antioxidant powers is milk thistle seed extract (yielding 80 mg silymarin), one of the most well researched herbal substances in Germany. It has a powerful protective action, helping the liver stand up to the onslaught of chemical pollutants and antagonists. Dandelion root has traditionally been used in North America for internal spring-cleaning. Wild yam supports the liver’s cleansing powers, alleviating some of the stress to this vital organ. Dong quai root from China provides powerful tonifying and antioxidant properties. Additional liver-supportive herbs include lycii fruit, cyperus rhizome, peony root, fennel fruit, ginger root, and Chinese skullcap root. Together, these renowned botanicals from three continents provide a thorough herbal approach for supporting a healthy liver. The quality of this formulation, together with the care that goes into its preparation, boosts your liver’s abilities to eliminate toxins.

Clinically Derived Formulas
Bupleurum Liver Cleanse is part of the Planetary Herbals line of products that draws on the wisdom of traditional cultures and the new knowledge emerging from scientific research. Planetary Herbals products are developed or selected by acupuncturist, herbalist and author Michael Tierra, L.Ac., O.M.D., and used on a daily basis in his clinical practice. The result: premier botanicals, unsurpassed for dependability and consumer satisfaction.

Remember to check out my Day 1 post from 2012 for some great information on fasting!!!!!!