Gillian McKeith's Food Bible (238 page)

Use turmeric in your stews, casseroles, and vegetable dishes. Turmeric has excellent liver-enhancing properties as well as being anti-inflammatory.

Other useful culinary aids include mint and oregano leaves.

Take milk thistle extract. Milk thistle is famous for its liver protective and regenerative properties. It is a useful remedy in all types of hepatitis.

Take gentian root before meals to stimulate appetite and aid digestion.

Other useful liver herbs include yellow dock, burdock, goldenseal, wild yam, licorice, barberry, and blue flag.

Drink dandelion coffee. Make sure you buy the roasted dandelion root rather than the instant kind. Dandelion is great for protecting and stimulating the liver and improving bile flow.

Take vitamin C, which has antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects.

Take vitamin B complex daily. The B vitamins are all vital for liver function. Look for a complex that contains choline and inositol, as these are particularly important for liver function.

EXTRA TIPS

Lie down and apply castor oil packs to the liver area for up to two hours a day between three and six days a week. Castor oil packs can stimulate the liver to heal. It is important to make sure that the bowels are moving two to three times a day if using castor oil packs, as elimination is important.

HERPES

There are various types of herpes virus including genital herpes, herpes simplex, and herpes zoster. Herpes simplex virus type 1 is responsible for cold sores (see page
233
), while herpes simplex virus type 2 is responsible for genital herpes. Herpes simplex can also develop into herpes keratitis, which affects the cornea of the eye. This can lead to scarring of the eye tissue and can affect eyesight. Herpes zoster is responsible for chickenpox and shingles (see page
369
).

Here we will focus on herpes simplex type 2. Initial symptoms include soreness and a tingling or burning sensation in the genital area. This may be followed by the development of blisters around the genital area. There may be discharge from the urethra and pain on urination. Pus may erupt from the blisters and ulceration may develop. Fever, headaches, and general flulike feelings may also be part of the picture.

Symptoms usually last a few days after exposure to the virus. They may be so mild that they are not noticed. Once the herpes virus has entered the body it never leaves. It can lie dormant in nerve cells for years but may be reactivated by stress, illness, or nutrient depletion.

Action plan

The key is to strengthen your immune system to prevent recurring outbreaks. That means a really good diet and a balanced lifestyle that includes getting to bed at a decent time. Lack of quality sleep weakens immunity.

EAT/DRINK