The body is an amazing framework of interwoven processes. For the most part, thousands and thousands of these processes happen every day without an issue. 

Most people aren’t even aware of a fraction of everything that happens in their body from moment to moment. We eat, move, and think without being aware of everything it takes for the body to do it.

But that doesn’t mean people can’t give their body extra attention in the detox organs — such as kidneys and liver — to help all these interwoven processes run smoothly. When these organs don’t work well, all processes suffer.

This can leave many people wondering how to cleanse their kidneys and liver in the comforts of their own homes. Fortunately, nature has provided people with some beneficial herbs to optimize their ability to function.

In order to understand why these herbs are beneficial specifically for the kidneys and liver, it’s important for you to comprehend the importance of these organ processes within the body.

Vital Kidney and Liver Processes

Kidney  (1)

  • Anatomical regions of the kidneys have 1,548 genes with highly variable expression.
  • Eliminates water-soluble wastes 
  • It helps balance electrolytes and maintain body pH
  • Filters 120 to 150 quarts of blood per day while wastes and toxins are removed through urine to protect the body 
  • Regulates hormones and blood pressure and is involved in making red blood cells 
  • Right kidney is usually lower and slightly smaller than the left because of liver placement

Liver (2, 3, 4)  

  • Breaks down harmful substances (non-soluble) found in blood and deposits them into bile for digestion to get eliminated via feces
  • Involved in breaking down old red blood cells
  • Over 500 critical functions, most well-known being detox, digestion, and hormones
  • Some genes are expressed in the liver alone and not other organs
  • The only major organ that can regenerate

6 Herbs to Enhance Kidney and Liver Function

Well-functioning kidneys and liver are vital for great health. As astonishing as these organs are, they still need help to function at their highest capacity. Because of this important drainage and detox process, no one cannot live without healthy kidneys or liver.

Toxins people are exposed to daily make these organs sluggish in their tasks. As a healthcare practitioner, you need to make sure your kidney and liver organs are draining properly.

  1. Beetroot

Beetroot (Beta vulgaris) has been eaten for thousands of years because of their health benefits. Beetroots and beetroot juice have been associated with increasing exercise performance, improving cognitive function, and lowering blood pressure. Beetroots are also a great source of fiber, folate (vitamin B9), iron, manganese, potassium, and vitamin C. (8, 9, 10, 11)

Beetroot for Kidneys

Beetroot can enhance the production of nitric oxide, which dilates blood vessels to increase blood flow. This additional blood flow can help the kidneys work more efficiently. (12, 13, 14)

The bright red pigment of beetroot is called betanin. It helps reduce inflammation and oxidative stress to help protect kidneys from damage. (15)

Beetroot can also help protect kidneys from being injured from antibiotics, which can sometimes cause kidney failure. It helps to increase catalase, a natural antioxidant crucial for effective kidney detox. Beetroot helps downregulate proinflammatory substances in the kidneys as well. (16, 17, 18)

Beetroot for Liver

The liver is the organ that protects the body from foreign substances often referred to as xenobiotics. This includes toxic substances most people are probably exposed to daily, such as food additives, pesticides, and pollution. (19)

Xenobiotics are carcinogenic so the liver works to neutralize the toxins. However, xenobiotics can still damage the liver as it neutralizes them. (20)

Beetroot helps to increase the body’s own natural antioxidants to protect the liver from damage. Injury to your body’s DNA can also be reduced. (21)

The process of getting rid of these foreign substances is called phase II metabolism. The red pigment betanin helps quench the free radicals that are a byproduct of this detox pathway and make it more efficient for people to detox effectively. (22)

Beetroot is another herb that influences our genes. It can help downregulate the genes involved with liver cancer. (23)

Therefore, beetroot’s protective pigment and gene influencing properties make it an essential natural kidney and liver detox herb.

2. Gynostemma

Also known as jiaogulan, this herb has been used for thousands of years for its rejuvenating properties. It’s been considered an “immortality herb” because it was consumed by elderly native inhabitants in the Guizhou Province in China. It’s good for the immune system and supports energy levels, as well as the liver and kidney detox process. (24)

Gynostemma for Kidneys

When the organs are injured from exposure to toxins, a process called fibrosis can occur. This scarred tissue doesn’t function like healthy tissue and inhibits the kidney’s ability to detox optimally. High levels of fibrosis can lead to the loss of kidney function altogether. (25)

In a study, gynostemma, combined with chitosan and motherwort, had therapeutic effects on inflammatory cytokines and improved the renal function in rats with chronic renal failure. 

Gynostemma could influence the genes in our kidneys to help produce healthy, well-functioning tissue and reduce fibrosis. (26)

Gynostemma for Liver

Gynostemma has the same fibrosis-reducing effects in the liver as it does on the kidney. When scar tissue ends up being thick and unyielding, it prevents the liver from performing properly. (27)

One study showed that liver tissues can thin out and severe liver fibrosis can be reduced by 33% in as little as 8 weeks when using gypenoside, a saponin extract derived from the Gynostemma pentaphyllum. Healthy tissue will help the liver detox at its best capacity.

Gynostemma also influences the genes involved in liver cancer cell growth and has been shown to inhibit them from multiplying, which would help protect the body from liver cancer. (28)

Gynostemma is a powerful anti-inflammatory for the intestines as well because the intestines are essential when it comes to the next step in a liver detox. The liver dumps its toxins into this part of the drainage system to be excreted out of the body via stools. (29)

Gynostemma does triple duty by helping the intestines, kidneys, and liver. This makes this herb fundamental when enhancing natural detox functions.

3. Marshmallow Root

Marshmallow root creates mucilage when it’s ingested and has traditionally been used to treat sore throats. With antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties, this herb aids kidney and liver function as well. (31, 32)

Marshmallow Root for Kidneys

One potential concern that people have is developing kidney stones. To prevent kidney stones, it’s important for you to take herbs that have a diuretic effect. Marshmallow root can act as a diuretic to help you do a natural kidney cleanse. (33)

Marshmallow Root for Liver

Marshmallow root has polysaccharides that help in wound healing because of its high antioxidant capacity. (34)

The liver bile ducts can become damaged over time, and marshmallow root can be used to soothe this damage by stimulating the production of the epithelial cells living inside the organs and ducts. Having a strong, healthy bile duct can better help liver detox. (35)

Another additional benefit from marshmallow root is its ability to bind to heavy metals and usher them out of the body before they can create further damage. (36)

With all these beneficial properties, marshmallow root is a capable herb for liver and kidney detox.

4. Milk Thistle

This herb has been used in medicine for the past 2,000 years. The active ingredient that helps our kidneys and liver is called silymarin, which has anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, antioxidant, immunomodulating, and liver-regenerating properties. (37, 38)

Milk Thistle for Kidneys

Silymarin can help our kidney tissue recuperate faster when it’s been exposed to damaging chemicals. (39, 40, 41)

Milk thistle also is full of antioxidants and flavonoids, as well as supports the body’s production of more antioxidants. Milk thistle helps to increase the expression of genes involved in generating three of the body’s own powerful antioxidants in the kidneys:

Milk thistle also reduces inflammation in the kidneys and may even help to protect from kidney cancer. The active ingredient in milk thistle has been shown to downregulate cancer-causing genes so cancer cells don’t multiply effectively. (45, 46)

Milk Thistle for the Liver

Milk thistle is one of the best herbs for liver detox because it has such a powerful influence on liver function. It helps to:

  • Boost superoxide dismutase (47)
  • Decrease liver tumor cell division (48)
  • Increase glutathione production (49)
  • Reduce inflammation (50)
  • Stabilize membranes in the liver (50)

It also will help to protect the liver from the damage created as it detoxifies toxic substances. Milk thistle even increases the survival time of people with alcohol-related liver cirrhosis. (51)

Milk thistle has very similar effects on our two detox organs, which makes it a great herb for natural kidney and liver detox.

5. Parsley

This green herb is much more than a garnish. It is full of antioxidants, flavonoids, minerals, and vitamins. Parsley has been used for allergies, high blood pressure, and inflammatory diseases, which makes it a powerful medicinal plant. (52)

Parsley for Kidneys

Parsley is another fantastic herb to help prevent kidney stones because it is a diuretic. When studied against other substances, parsley reduced kidney stones the most. Not only did the size and number of stones significantly decreased, but the kidney tissue was also healthier. (53)

Parsley for Liver

Parsley is considered a “bitter” herb. Bitter herbs can help stimulate the release of bile, helping the liver detox. Parsley also promotes glutathione production, which helps protect the liver from damage. (54)

Parsley can also help to lower blood glucose levels, which can inflame the liver if they are too high. It can protect the liver by lowering inflammatory liver enzymes. (55)

Similarly to marshmallow root, parsley can support binding and removing heavy metals from the body. (56)

Parsley’s diuretic and protective roles make it an especially good kidney detox herb that also has benefits for the liver.

6. Stoneroot

Stoneroot, often termed collinsonia root, is a perennial herb in the mint family and native to North America. It was used historically in traditional and Native American medicine for ailments such as digestive conditions, hemorrhoids, upper respiratory tract issues and urinary infections. While the whole plant can be used, the root purportedly has the most powerful benefits. (57, 58)

Stoneroot for Kidneys

Stoneroot possesses astringent and tonic properties, promoting the expulsion of urinary calculi. This is helpful for the kidneys as it relaxes the uterus of the urethra, increasing the flow of urine by reducing spasms. This is reportedly helpful for individuals to pass small kidney stones and alleviate irritation and pain. (57)

Stoneroot for Liver

While mostly used for the bladder and kidneys, stoneroot this root contains flavonoids and saponins, and can be used to support the liver, lungs, colon, and heart tissues. These properties can be helpful for treating hemorrhoids by improving the blood flow between the gut and the liver. (58, 59, 60)

While more scientific studies need to be conducted to understand the benefits of this herb fully, it’s a potent addition to a kidney and liver detox protocol.

Helping to restore optimum kidney and liver detox pathways can help protect you from a host of health challenges and will also empower them to live their best, healthiest lives now.