Home Remedies for Liver Detox
Home remedies that may support liver health, promote natural detoxification, and protect liver cells from damage. Below you'll find evidence-based remedies that grandmothers have used for generations, now verified by modern medical research.
1. Milk Thistle
Did this remedy work for you?
How It Helps
Milk thistle contains silymarin, a group of flavonoids that protect liver cells from toxins, stimulate liver cell regeneration, and act as powerful antioxidants. It is the most researched herbal remedy for liver health and is used medically in Europe for liver disease.
🔬 What the Research Says
A 2017 systematic review in the World Journal of Hepatology analyzed 8 clinical trials and found silymarin significantly improved liver function tests (ALT, AST) in patients with liver disease. A 2016 meta-analysis confirmed hepatoprotective effects in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
[1] Silymarin in the treatment of liver diseases: what is the clinical evidence? - World Journal of Hepatology (2017)
[2] Efficacy of silymarin in liver disease - World Journal of Gastroenterology (2016)
📋 How to Use
Take milk thistle extract capsules standardized to 70-80% silymarin. Best absorbed when taken with a meal containing some fat. Can also be taken as a tea, though capsules deliver a more consistent dose.
💊 Dosage
140-280mg of silymarin (standardized extract) three times daily. For maintenance, 140mg once or twice daily.
⚠️ Side Effects & Cautions
Very well tolerated. Rare mild GI upset (bloating, diarrhea). May lower blood sugar — monitor if diabetic. Can interact with some medications metabolized by the liver (CYP enzymes).
🛒 Recommended Products
Jarrow Formulas Milk Thistle 150mg
★★★★★ 4.7 · $12-18
Nature's Answer Milk Thistle Extract
★★★★★ 4.6 · $10-15
2. Turmeric
Did this remedy work for you?
How It Helps
Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, protects the liver through its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. It reduces liver inflammation, prevents fibrosis (scarring), and enhances bile production which aids the liver's natural detoxification pathways.
🔬 What the Research Says
A 2019 randomized controlled trial in Phytotherapy Research found curcumin supplementation (1000mg/day for 8 weeks) significantly reduced liver fat content and improved liver enzymes in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. A 2021 meta-analysis confirmed curcumin's hepatoprotective effects across multiple trials.
[1] Curcumin supplementation in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease - Phytotherapy Research (2019)
[2] Hepatoprotective effects of curcumin: a meta-analysis - Phytotherapy Research (2021)
📋 How to Use
Take curcumin supplements with black pepper (piperine) for 20x better absorption. Can also add 1-2 teaspoons of turmeric powder to golden milk, smoothies, or food daily. Pair with healthy fats for better absorption.
💊 Dosage
500-1000mg curcumin with piperine daily. For turmeric powder: 1-3 grams (roughly ½-1 teaspoon) per day.
⚠️ Side Effects & Cautions
Generally safe. High doses may cause GI upset. May interact with blood thinners and diabetes medications. Avoid high-dose supplements if you have gallbladder disease.
🛒 Recommended Products
Meriva Curcumin Phytosome 500mg
★★★★★ 4.6 · $25-35
Doctor's Best Curcumin C3 Complex
★★★★★ 4.5 · $18-25
3. Dandelion Root
Did this remedy work for you?
How It Helps
Dandelion root stimulates bile production and flow (choleretic effect), which is essential for the liver's detoxification process. It also has antioxidant properties that protect liver cells and has been used as a liver tonic in Traditional Chinese Medicine and European folk medicine for centuries.
🔬 What the Research Says
A 2017 study in Molecules confirmed dandelion root's hepatoprotective effects, showing it reduced oxidative stress and inflammation in liver tissue. A 2010 study in Food and Chemical Toxicology found dandelion root extract prevented alcohol-induced liver damage in animal models by reducing oxidative stress markers.
[1] Hepatoprotective activity of dandelion root extract - Molecules (2017)
[2] Dandelion root extract and alcohol-induced liver injury - Food and Chemical Toxicology (2010)
📋 How to Use
Brew dandelion root tea: steep 1-2 teaspoons of dried dandelion root in boiling water for 10-15 minutes. Drink 1-3 cups daily. Also available as capsules or tincture. Roasted dandelion root tea makes a pleasant coffee substitute.
💊 Dosage
2-8 grams of dried root as tea, 3 times daily. As tincture: 2-5ml three times daily. As capsules: 500-1000mg three times daily.
⚠️ Side Effects & Cautions
Generally safe. May cause allergic reactions in people allergic to ragweed, daisies, or marigolds. Mild diuretic effect — stay hydrated. May interact with lithium and some antibiotics.
🛒 Recommended Products
Traditional Medicinals Organic Dandelion Root Tea
★★★★★ 4.6 · $5-8
Nature's Answer Dandelion Root Extract
★★★★★ 4.5 · $8-12
4. Garlic
Did this remedy work for you?
How It Helps
Garlic activates liver detoxification enzymes that help flush out toxins. It contains allicin and selenium, which protect the liver from oxidative damage. Garlic also stimulates bile production and has been shown to reduce liver fat accumulation.
🔬 What the Research Says
A 2016 randomized controlled trial in Advanced Biomedical Research found that garlic powder supplementation (400mg/day) significantly reduced body weight and fat mass in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. A 2020 meta-analysis confirmed garlic's hepatoprotective effects through its antioxidant and lipid-lowering properties.
[1] Garlic supplementation and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease - Advanced Biomedical Research (2016)
[2] Hepatoprotective effects of garlic: a systematic review - Journal of Nutrition (2020)
📋 How to Use
Eat 2-3 cloves of raw garlic daily — crush and let sit for 10 minutes before eating to activate allicin. Add to salads, dressings, or swallow with water. Aged garlic extract supplements are an odorless alternative.
💊 Dosage
2-3 raw garlic cloves daily, or 600-1200mg aged garlic extract. For liver support, consistent daily intake is more important than large single doses.
⚠️ Side Effects & Cautions
Garlic breath and body odor. May cause heartburn or GI upset. Avoid high doses if on blood thinners (warfarin) or before surgery. May interact with HIV medications.
🛒 Recommended Products
Kyolic Aged Garlic Extract
★★★★★ 4.6 · $15-22
Frequently Asked Questions About Liver Detox Remedies
Know Another Remedy?
Explore More Conditions
Discover home remedies for other common health issues, all backed by scientific evidence.
Browse All ConditionsLast reviewed: February 2026