The Story of the Lemon Liver Flush: I magically concocted this healing elixer about 20 years ago when I lived in Sebastopol, CA. It was a very special time in my life when I lived in the Redwoods and felt very connected to nature. It was at that time in my young adult life that I embraced the gift that I could do magical and healing things with food. One fateful day while I was soaking in the hot tub underneath some very tall Redwood trees and pondering what my new business name could be, the name “The Barefoot Cook” just plopped into my lap. Even though I had already been cooking for several years by that time, it was official and my career as a Natural Food Chef really began.
At this time, I happened to live on some land with an elderly couple that were very committed to conscious and healthful living. In addition to eating more wild blackberries and heirloom apples, pears and quince than I can ever imagine, I also ate regularly from the incredible garden which was rich in medicinal herbs and veggies. One day, while experimenting in the beautiful kitchen built out of reclaimed redwood, stained glass windows and a wood stove, I met the amazing tool which would become a daily friend – the Vitamix. With this powerful blender, the sky was the limit and I was inspired to make all manner of new and interesting creations. One particular winter, I had access to so much delicious citrus from a local organic produce market down the road. I already knew about doing the Liver Gallbladder flush with lemon, olive oil and epsom salts to release gallstones and liver sludge but I was too chicken to try it. I figured if that was good for your liver, than doing something less extreme on a daily basis would be good too and…more manageable. I whipped up this frothy drink with lemon, olive oil, vanilla and a bit of stevia and it made me feel amazing! I discovered it was equally great with lime and grapefruit as well. So, I have been making it and drinking it ever since. It’s easy and delicious. Check it out and feel the benefits. One of my good friends who is a big fan of this drink has noticed that the fine lines in her face have reduced due to the bioflavonoid content of the citrus peel. Pretty cool!
Eating Seasonal Citrus: There are few fruits that nature gives to us in the winter. Most fruits are available in the summer. The few fruits that are available come winter are tart, sour fruits like persimmons, pomegranates, grapefruits, oranges, and lemons. It makes sense that we shouldn’t eat sweet and sugary fruits in winter, a time when we sweat much less and are typically less active. Eating too much sweet and not building enough heat to burn it off can result in damp conditions in the body. This lends to the perfect breeding ground for conditions like candida as well as colds and flu’s. It is important to eat in season and eat the fruits offered by mother nature at the time she offers them. Lemons are perfect to emphasize at this time. They are sour, the flavor which helps the liver to purge excess that we might have accumulated from over indulgences from the fall harvest.
Create a healthy habit with a daily gentle cleanse. This is my favorite cleanse that I have been personally incorporating into my routine for about 20 years now.This drink is a mild version of the Liver-Gallbladder cleanse which consists of days of preparation and then a final cleansing day of drinking ½ cup of olive oil and about equal parts of lemon juice. The result is usually the release of many gallstones. Of course, doctors never tell you there is a $10 cure for reducing inflammation of the gallbladder and releasing gallstones that is much cheaper and less painful then removing your gallbladder (which you have for a reason, by the way!). But, this natural remedy, which I have performed many times on myself does exist and works! If you are not up for such an extreme cleanse, try this beverage which is a much milder version of the Liver-Gallbladder flush and is great to keep your liver and gallbladder just a little happier. If you try the Liver-Gallbladder flush, I recommend following the method by Andreas Moritz. I have done it about 8 times with very powerful results.
While you can do a powerful cleanse to detoxify and support your liver (and I do recommend that with my Nourishing Cleanse and also with Andreas Moritz Liver Gallbladder flush), it is the daily habits you cultivate that can really make a difference in your overall health and well being. I have noticed when I support my liver on a daily basis with plenty of good fats, keeping my insulin levels low, incorporating plenty of bitter and sour foods and herbs, and working on my challenging emotions with EFT, therapy, life coaching, women’s group, energy work and so much more, my liver is much happier. My clients ask me, how long do I need to take supplements or consume food and herbs that support my liver. I say, for the rest of your life! This amazing organ does so much for us – it is estimated that it performs between 500-750 tasks, including filtering out the 84,000 toxins we are now exposed to. The least we can do is offer it a bit of support in return.
How do you know when your liver might be over burdened? If you are quick to anger and are irritable more often than normal, or if you take forever to make decisions, it is likely your liver could use some love. If you have skin eruptions, difficult periods or PMS, excessive bloating and gas, fatigue, if you have vision problems or frequent headaches, and if you suffer from allergies – these are a few signs your liver might need some support.
I hope this offers you a bit of guidance on how to support your amazing liver. If you try my Lemon Liver Flush, please report back and let me know your experience! In the future, I will share which herbs and supplements I specifically recommend to support your liver. Oh, and check out this helpful video I made just for you!
| The Barefoot Cook’s favorite Lemon Liver Flush |
- 1 whole lemon quartered (slice into 4 pieces)
- 1 quart room temperature or cool filtered water (4 cups)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (unfiltered, organic, cold pressed – the best you can find)
- (optional) 5 drops of Stevia extract
- (optional) 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- Place quartered whole lemon (with peel) in a high power blender (Vitamix or a comparable blender is best).
- Add 1 quart (4 cups) water. Blend on high for 60 seconds.
- After 60 seconds, add olive oil and blend 5 seconds longer.
- Then strain though a fine mesh wire strainer. The drink will be creamy and tart.
- Add vanilla and stevia if you wish to round out the flavor.
- Drink and enjoy.
Great article! There are more great liver cleanse diet tips here:
https://www.puristat.com/livercleansing/livercleansingdiet.aspx
Hi Kathy,
Thanks for sharing your website and for coming by to check out The Barefoot Cook. Blessings, Amanda
Do you do this every day all year round or just in the winter time?
Hi Sarah,
I drink Lemon Liver Flush all year but featured it for a winter blog as lemons are one of the only in season fruits available. Enjoy! Amanda
Your recipes and modes for living in general, are amazing and grounded in such common sense. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Dear Marsha, Thank you for your kind and appreciative comment. You said it, “common sense”. That is what I am talking about, just plain ol’ common sense living. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Amanda, just listened to your interview with Patric Timpone, it was very interesting, thnx!
Question about this method:
– I understand that this cleanse does not require a week of preparation as the original version of Liver Flush? And would you do it for a week or more?
– You take this drink first thing in the morning, and then you can eat breakfast, maybe 30 min after? And do you drink the whole portion?
Hi Kira,
This lemon liver flush is not meant to replace the Liver Gallbladder Flush but to be something you can do daily to keep your liver and gallbladder healthy. Yes, you can drink the whole portion at once or else over the course of a day or two days. Good to drink before breakfast, like you suggested. This is not the same as The Nourishing Cleanse which I mentioned on the show. That will be out soon. Thanks for stopping by. Blessings, Amanda
Thank you for you reply, Amanda:-) I am wondering what your thoughts are on Coffee Enemas? Some nutritionists say it is not doing a thing, some are into it…What is your opinion?
Hi Kira, I think coffee enemas can be extremely helpful as they stimulate the liver to release stagnant bile and this has a very cleansing effect on the liver, gallbladder and colon. If done to excess, they can be depleting, but in moderation, they can be extremely helpful for moving toxins out of the body faster. I recommend them in my cleanse, The Nourishing Cleanse.
It sounds awful though…care to comment? I’m trying to find an alternative liver/gallbladder cleanse. My doc wants me to do that really scary drink s ton of olive oil one that you referred to… I can’t deal with the aftereffects. My son got so sick to his stomach when he did it. Would love your suggestions for wimps like me!
Yes, the Liver Gallbladder flush is not for the faint of heart but it can provide tremendous benefits. I would recommend it but only after careful and guided preparation from a trusted holistic practitioner or MD. This drink will provide the same benefits but in a much more mild way. The only way to find out is to try it. It might sound strange but it is actually quite delicious!
if i have a problem of ascites, can i also use this recepie .ascites is a disease in which water is filled in stomach. sometimes patient has to taken out this water from stomach by tapping. please suggest.
I am sorry but I am not familiar enough with this condition of which you speak to be able to make a recommendation about whether or not to consume this drink. I would suggest asking your health care provider.
Hello Amanda,
I am making this drink today! I am doing a 28 day challenge, and will let you know how it turns out.
And to Veena with too much water in her stomach. If your water is acidic, it does not work the way it should.
may want to try strong kangen alkaline water which will go directly to her cells in 30 seconds, and not sit in her stomach causing bloating. the website is: https://www.truthaboutkangen.com
Great, let us know how it turns out!
Greetings I am so thrilled I found your blog, I really found you by accident,
while I was browsing on Askjeeve for something else, Nonetheless I am here now and would just
like to say thanks for a tremendous post and a
all round thrilling blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to browse it all at the minute but I have saved it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a great deal more, Please do keep up the great job.
Thank you so much for your warm comments. Glad you found me. Feel free to sign up for my newsletter if you wish (on my home page). Thanks and blessings, Amanda
Hi, is this safe for pregnant women? (I am preg and having a liver issue…) Willing to try anything at this point!
Hi Christy,
Yes, this should definitely be safe for pregnant women. It is a very mildly cleansing drink. Enjoy your pregnancy!
I’m happy I found your blog. I suffer from acute hay fever this season 2013. I think my liver will be happier too,so cool
Hi Gwen,
Thanks for your message! I am glad you found me too. The liver and allergies are intimately connected. Let me know if this drink helps. Blessings, Amanda
can I substitute lime? thanks!
Yes, you can use limes for this recipe and it is quite delicious. You can also use grapefruit.
Could you please comment on the article found here? They are saying that these flushes do nothing to help with gall stones. https://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/flushes.html
Hi Denise,
I can speak from first hand experience that gall bladder flushes really do work. I have released thousands of gallstones from doing flushes over the years, and have felt much lighter after doing them. Quackwatch will say anything to discredit alternate approaches to healing. Just do some more research to learn about all of the people who have benefited from gall bladder flushes. Andreas Moritz book The Amazing Liver and Gallbladder Flush is a great book to help guide one on doing their own cleanse.
Glad you like the site and please do share with your friends!
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this sounds like a great flush but does it clean out any gallstones in the liver. I have done the Call bladder flush 6 days prep, fasting and laxatives successfully but can’t face doing it again. I am sure that I have more stones as I have pain, and nausea. I have no gall bladder now but know that you can have stones and gunk in the liver. Thank you. Carolyn EJ
Hi Carolyn,
This is a very simple and mild drink that will help to keep the liver/gallbladder clean but it is not the same as the liver/GB flush. We release gallstones everyday in our stool so this may help to facilitate that but it is not the same as the actual flush. I have been drinking it for years in the morning and it feels really good and cleansing.
How many times a week would you recommend ? Thank you!!
Some people drink this daily. You can drink it as many times are you feel good drinking it.
Thank you for your reply. I was hoping that this would take its place as I have done the go and liver fish a few times and it takes some extreme effort.to work up to it!!!! However I have no gallbladder now but I am sure that I have stones as I have pain in upper right quadrant and have felt better. Just had cat scan and await results but still think it’s stones. I will psych myself up for the GB flush and then will follow you protocol. Thanks for your help
Carolyn
My pleasure! You are right in that even if the gallbladder is removed, there can still be stones in the liver or in the least liver sludge. And the liver takes on the extra burden of not having the gallbladder so all the more important to cleanse it out. I know it does take some energy to get yourself prepared to do the Liver/GB flush. I am doing one this weekend! This drink is certainly not a replacement but a daily tonifyer for the liver/GB. Hope you enjoy! Amanda
Thanks so much for your help
How to let the other people know about your blogspot?
Just share the good news!
I realize that if you are dealing with candida, sugar is not a good thing. However, honey has may healing properties. Can honey be used to replace the stevia and still be effective? Also, I have used a cleanse a long time ago, similar to this that added a pinch of cayenne. What are your thoughts? Thanks!
Hi Carol,
You are right that honey does have some healing properties, but it also can contribute to candida and yeast issues. Stevia is the best for not exacerbating this. As far as the cleanse you recommended, you are probably referring to the Master Cleanse which I do not recommend. It is very extreme and can result in many blood sugar issues. A safer cleanse would be my Nourishing Cleanse which you can read about on my website. Best of luck! Amanda
How much of this is recommended to dink a day?
Hi John, it is really up to you, but I can easily drink a whole quart a day. If you have never had it before, I would suggest starting slow with 1/2 cup – 1 cup and then working you way up to as much as you want.
Hi. How long will one batch keep in the fridge?
At least a week. Shake it up before you drink it.
Dose this help with weight loss?
It certainly can because it helps to detox the liver which is often the seat of toxicity. If you cleanse out the toxins, often you will release excess weight too.
Hey there!
Thanks so much for this post. I would like to do this cleanse but have a few questions. I understand that the cleanse is to remove gallstones and help maintain liver and gallbladder. What affects does it actually have on how I will feel after the treatment?
For example doesn’t give more energy, weight loss, increased appetite, decreased appetite?
how soon do you feel the effects when you do it the first time and how soon do you feel the effects if you do it daily?
Is it still effective if you just do this once a month or is it necessary to do it every day?
Hi Melissa,
Great question and to clarify, this drink is not a liver gallbladder flush. This is a very mild version of the flush as it is lemon, water and olive oil. Drinking this daily can help support your Liver GB function. To learn more about the Liver GB flush, check out Adreas Moritz. He has a great site and wealth of info about the flush. https://www.cleanse-me-healthy.com/andreas-moritz.html
I do recommend the flush and have done it many times. It is a process though and good to be fully educated about it before you embark on it. I can also help lead you through it as a nutrition practitioner. My contact info is on my website. Blessings! Amanda
Can I use coconut oil to the same effect?
Hi Julie,
No, olive oil has certain properties that are especially healing for the Gallbladder. Coconut oil is always a great fat to use in general but for these purposes, olive oil is best.
Hi! How does this fare with acid reflux sufferers?
You would have to try it and see how it works for you. Acid reflux can happen for different reasons and it is not always due to acidic food. Sometimes it is due to overeating. If you have stomach lining (like with ulcers) that has deteriorated, I would not try this. So far, no one has ever complained though.
Oh and would a decent blender work? No vitamix here ?
Hi Beth,
A decent blender will work but you may need to blend for at least 60 seconds so you really get the lemon pureed. But I always recommend investing in a Vitamix. It is so worth it!
Hi. I’m excited to try this recipe, but I was wondering about the effect of the olive oil daily for cholesterol. Will it raise my cholesterol levels?
Hi Aletha, I doubt consuming olive oil would raise your cholesterol as only animal fats contain cholesterol. Cholesterol levels raise or lower due to all kinds of reasons and some are beyond dietary. For example, stress can raise your cholesterol. Please do not fall for the cholesterol hoax the modern medical system has played on us. The big question is do you have enough cholesterol?!
I have gallbladder Polyps and from time to time small short panic attacks where my body shakes badly for couple mins then I’m fine. It’s really strange happened for the past 8 years off/on. I don’t take anything period I have clean life clean eating too for the most part. Anyways I wanted to do the full gallbladder flush but have been very nervous that I’ll have a serious panic attack over it and I’m just not sure, my main goal is to remove stones from my gallbladder and get it as healthy as possible. I’d like to gradually move up to a full flush OR something gentle then medium and maybe that will just take care of what I need to do? Anything to help prevent any anxiety during the process? Take Xanax? Haha.
When doing the full flush, what is the major side effects? Can ppl sleep the night of? How to prevent any major or medium side effects?
Hi Rob, in order to prepare for the big GB/Liver cleanse, I would recommend drinking this Lemon Liver Flush daily for 6 months. It will help to gently tone and detox your GB. I would also suggest taking some liver/GB detoxifying herbs such as dandelion, rosemary, milk thistle. I would be happy to consult with you to give you more support in this area. Please get in touch if that would be helpful for you. When you do the flush, don’t plan on sleeping much that night. You may be quite nauseas. As long as you prepare though, you should be fine and have much better results.
Hello, unfortunately I am one of those people that was not informed that there are different methods then removing a gallbladder. Is this drink still effective?
Yes, even if you don’t have a gallbladder, this still helps to cleanse your liver and billiard tubes. It is very gentle and many find quite delicious!
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Thanks for visiting, you can see my social links on the top right of my site.
Just found this recipe and love it. Can it be done with just 2 cups of water – I just think its a bit too much for first thing in the morning.
Yes, you can make this with just 2 cups of water but warning that it will probably be very strong!
I’d like to find out more? I’d love to find out more details.
What else would you like to know?
Can you add berries or other fruits to the receipe?
I suppose you could though I have never tried it.
Hi Amanda,
Found your blog by accident but really like it. I have seen this drink on another site and curing constipation was listed as one of the benefits. Do you think that this would work to help with constipation? I do not see that mentioned here on your blog.
thanks so much. I plan to keep reading your blog.
Lisa
Hi Lisa, Thanks and I am glad you like my blog. I don’t know about this drink curing constipation but I certainly think it would help as it helps to move the energy in the liver which helps all parts of your digestion. It is good for so many things. Only one way to find out! Please let me know if you try it and if it makes a difference. Blessings! Amanda
I live in the Caribbean in Barbados to be exact and I’m culminating a two week cleanse with the aforementioned liver flush.Not too long did it but I only used lemon n olive oil…5 lemons to 1 ounce olive oil and the lemons increases by 5 for three days with the oil being the same. I already feel good. I have reflux issues and it didnt affect my reflux. I will give a full update after my last day.Thing is , you have to not eat for 2-3 hours after. Will keep you posted. By the way, accidental ally came across your website while researching its effects. Great info.
Hello Julita,
Wonderful, I am so glad this has helped you! Yes, this is a powerfully cleansing and healing beverage. So glad it is helping you. Thanks for saying hello!