Fear No Drugs: Herbal Antioxidants

Prevent toxic effects of Rx drugs and other modern liver stressors

Considering the excellent information herbal research has been giving us for years now, there is no reason for anyone to worry about having to take prescription drugs when they really need to. Even if it is something that you have to take on a daily basis – no worries. Just read about the herbs I’ve listed here and start using what makes sense for you. Eventually, your body will let you know what works best for you.

The same is true if you are being exposed to any type of modern industrial toxins in the air you breath at work. Nature is good enough to give us medicinal foods that protect us from the toxicity of chemical medicines, preventing most side effects as well as protect us from industrial/modern toxins and pollution that many of us encounter daily.

Episodic Use

If you must have surgery and are going to be put under by anesthetics, then consider taking one or two of these herbs before and after. Have two doses ready as part of surgery preparation with the second dose in an easy to take form. You might even consider taking something like Milk Thistle for days afterwards until the drugs are out of your system. Your recovery will go more smoothly if you are protected from the side effects or toxicity of the drugs.

Take it from a chemical sensitive

Because I’m very chemically sensitive these herbs are necessary for me to remain functional and healthy in modern environments. For two decades I have reacted badly to perfumes, paint fumes, the out-gassing of carpets, clothing dyes, sharpie marker fumes, industrial pollution, etc. (If you have a similar problem consider the homeopathic remedy Petroleum.)

I have put antioxidant herbs to the real test of functional health for two decades. They have made such a difference in my life that it is truly night and day. I take 2-3 of these herbs twice daily — or I become toxic and dysfunctional the first day. I also started developing what you’d call ‘age spots’ on my hands by around 30. They’re brown splotches you normally only see on the consistently sun-exposed skin of people over 60. As soon as I learned how to protect my body and liver with these antioxidant herbs every day those spots stopped forming and have faded.

So my body is like a living test lab for what works (at least for me) and proof that even someone with high chemical sensitivity can have a normal, functional life with the help of nature’s medicinal foods.

Coffee (organic) — especially decaf

I’m finally adding coffee as of January of 2024 because it is a great source of multiple antioxidants that are liver-protecting. I’d overlooked it for many years because I was not drinking it myself and had not had a chance to test it out. One to three cups daily of decaf provides significant amounts of antioxidants and liver protection.

Those with CY-P450 liver enzyme dysfunction will need to drink organic decaf or take in a reduced caffeine mixture. CY-P450 is the liver enzyme system responsible for metabolizing caffeine. If you are caffeine sensitive and have trouble processing Rx or OTC drugs and other chemicals, then Your CY-P450 system may be off. Avoid caffeine or reduce it to the very minimum.

Organic coffee is a must because many companies (famous brands) are using methylene chloride (outlawed paint stripper) to decaffeinate the beans. That will not pass organic certification for the end product, even if organically grown beans were used. There are lawsuits now to get rid of methyl chloride, but for now it is still found in many common brands of coffee.¹

So drink certified organic coffee. Regular methods of water-based decaffeinating may only extract 90-97% of the caffeine. Swiss Water Process extracts 99-99.9%. The key with coffee is not seeing it as an either/or caffeinated/decaf proposition. Try both regular and decaf and mix them to find your ideal ratio.

To find out what your current brand of decaf is using to extract the caffeine go to

https://checkyourdecaf.org/

Linden leaf, flower (Tilia spp.)

As of 2021, this has become my favorite antioxidant-rich herb. It has a scent and flavor like mild Jasmine. It is anti-inflammatory, especially for liver and gallbladder. It could also be referred to as a nervine, as it is calming and aids sleep. Linden can prevent or ease headaches. There are many more benefits, but I have used it to replace the green and white teas I used to rely on so much. Linden can be brewed as a tea, but I prefer to take it as powder (1.5 tsp twice daily). It is rich enough in antioxidants to be a singly effective liver and body protector, preventing toxicity and maintaining liver and nerve functions.

Yerba Maté (Ilex paraguarensis)

Yerba Maté via wikimedia commons

This member of the holly genus has antioxidants that are even more powerful than those in Green Tea. In addition, it is full of minerals and B-vitamins. A better choice for those who want a more well-rounded tonic effect.

This is a warming, circulating stimulant that is unique for this type of herb because of how much nutrition it contains. So it can be considered tonic so long as you don’t overdose/overuse it.

For fullest extraction of the antioxidants without damaging them brew at 160° (steaming hot just before/as bubbles start to form) for 5-10 minutes and increase brewing time for greater extraction. Yerba Mate tastes great sweetened with its native South American companion herb Stevia.

Another species of Ilex know as Guayusa (Ilex guayusa) has started showing up on shelves in natural energy drinks. A normal serving is said to have as much caffeine as a cup of coffee, but twice as much antioxidant content as most green tea. Its phyto-nutrient and medicine content is probably very much like Yerba Mate.

Tea (Camellia sinensis) White, Green, Black

Black tea has long been well known in the west for its rich flavor, but it is lower in antioxidants than the other varieties of the Camellia leaf. Black tea is best for opening the bronchioles and stopping asthma attacks (made double or triple strong). Otherwise, like the ‘hard caffeine’ of coffee, it tends to overstimulate the adrenals and have too much urinary flushing effect (diuretic) when relied upon for daily stimulation. Green tea is more balanced.

Tea samples via wikimedia commons

Green Tea has half the stimulating xanthine alkaloids and twice the antioxidants of black tea. Green has twice the stimulating effect and half the antioxidants of White Tea, however. (The decaffeinated variety is best for those who want the antioxidants without the stimulation/bronchial dilation effects). Green tea acts upon the lungs, skin (pores) and brain and is the best choice for smokers and those with asthma. It protects the body from the toxins while opening the bronchial for proper breathing.

White Tea is highest in antioxidants and can even be relaxing rather than stimulating. It is lowest in caffeine content of the common tea varieties.

Never pour boiling hot water over Green or White Tea. It makes a bitter-tasting tea as it immediately begins extracting tannins. Introducing tannins into the tea also changes its effects in your body.

How to brew White or Green Tea — Use water that is steaming hot, but with bubbles just beginning to form. Pour the hot water (160-185°) in first, then put in your tea bag or tea leaves. Brew only briefly to avoid extracting much of the tannin content (bitter part) — about 2-4 minutes.

Important note regarding tea and fluoride

Modern research (from 1980s onward) has shown fluoride is a toxic heavy metal not needed by the body and no detectable amount of it is completely safe. The tea plant (Camellia sinensis) soaks up fluoride from the soil in greater amounts than other plants. The typical cup of green or black tea contains 1 ppm. This does not mean you shouldn’t drink tea, but please, don’t assume any quantity of it is safe, and don’t drink it concentrated (double or triple strength) on an ongoing basis. If you like to drink it daily, take a break from it for a while.

https://truthaboutfluoride.com/fluoride-in-tea/ gives you a Fluoride Tea Table that is a search tool to find out what teas and herbal tisanes contain measurable quantities of fluoride.

Milk Thistle Seed (Silybum marianum)

Milk Thistle top via wikimedia commons

Sometimes sold as Silymarin extract, this seed is a favorite of birds and should be of ours! It not only protects the liver from serious toxins, but can actually rejuvenate liver tissue. The seeds are a bit hard so it is quite a job for the jaw to chew these up, although I’ve done it many times, so you may want to get your Milk Thistle in tablets, capsules or liquid extract.

This herb is cooling and modestly astringent, so it works well in a lot of conditions, since any condition of the liver inevitably can benefit from an anti-inflammatory/cooling effect. It pairs very well with Ginseng and all tonics herbs I’ve taken.

I can tell you from long-term personal experience that it is not true that these seeds must be extracted by water/heat/alcohol for their properties to become effective in the body. Just take the herb with a meal and they will digest just fine and be properly absorbed.

Anyone with liver disease should take this excellent herb. I don’t care what kind of disease. Milk Thistle Seed is the best nourishing tonic for the liver. If I am having consistent liver area pain that is not relieved by my usual herbs or remedies I start taking Milk Thistle Seeds and the pain goes away within 24 hours.

I take the powdered seeds: 1/2 – 2 tsp, 2-3 times daily, sometimes even more for episodic needs (increased exposure to certain airborne toxis). It can’t hurt you even if you take Tablespoon doses at each meal. A large enough dose Milk Thistle Seeds can protect your body from the worst poisons on this planet so long as you take enough as quickly as possible after the incident. If it is within 20 minutes and you take a dose that is large enough, you will suffer no toxicity whatsoever.

Turmeric Root (Curcumae longa)

This is one of our finest and most available (thus least expensive) blood movers (emmenagogue). It is a tonic (general body toner), stimulant, digestive, and analgesic that helps protect and clear the liver and gall bladder. It acts especially well upon the heart and liver. This makes it a great choice for those with liver and heart issues, but can be used preventively. It is warming in nature, so it should not be the primary herb in inflammatory conditions in which there is already too much heat in the body (showing as reddened skin conditions, heat flashes, etc).

Turmeric root and powder via wikimedia commons

The antioxidant power of Turmeric compared to the first three herbs is still pretty good, but because it is more blood-moving and stimulating the amounts used must generally be more moderate. It is an excellent choice for those with sluggish digestive systems who would like to better digest meat and heavier foods or fats.

It should be used with caution or avoided in certain gallbladder conditions prone to generating heat. If you take Turmeric and it heats you up uncomfortably, don’t take it anymore and try Milk Thistle or one of the other cooling herbs instead. It will either help your gallbladder condition, possibly as a lesser herb in a combination, or it can worsen the situation. So be advised.

Whole Leaf Aloe Juice (or Gel) (Aloes spp.)

Aloe succotrina drawing via wikimedia

This plant’s antioxidant powers are very good especially for those whose constitutional needs require a more cooling, moistening herb to supplement their natural body fluids. Many Chinese Traditionalists who have discovered Aloe extol its virtues above many of their traditional herbs.

Aloe repairs cells and injuries, particularly burns. It prevents/heals injuries due to burns – either chemical or radiation-caused burns. Nothing is better used both topically and internally. Apply to the skin for sunburns, but take internally before an outing to the beach. It should be taken internally if you must undergo chemo or radiation treatments.

It is important that you get the Whole Leaf variety. What is commonly available in bottles is produced through the Russian process which removes the purgative component. This is important as it distinguishes it from the Aloe you may have in your house (probably Aloe vera). If you ingest pieces of your house plant, just know that it comes with a ‘price.’ Stay near the restroom. However, if this were the only antioxidant available in an emergency, don’t hesitate to use it.

Grape Seed Extract

This one has astringent qualities that make it a great tonic for the cardiovascular system. Grape Seeds contain important nutrients like Vitamin E, and essential fatty acids. Grape Seeds contain polyphenols called proanthocyanidins and standardized extracts will be about 95% procyanidins. These are also found in the seeds of the prunus genus (almonds, peach seeds) and have anti-tumor properties.

You don’t have to take very much grape seed extract at once to get its benefits. It is VERY concentrated. I mix my extract with 50% Marshmallow root and take only 1/8 – 1/4 tsp twice daily.

Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) & Honeybush (Cyclopia spp)

Rooibos via wikimedia commons

Even those these plants are not related, I’m listing them together because they both come from the African bush and have similar flavor and qualities. They are some of the best tasting tisanes you will find. The flavor is complex and rich with undertones of Cinnamon, and suggestions of root beer or Sassafras. It pairs very well with Vanilla. That makes it especially desirable for frequent use. It is tasty both hot and cold and blends well with a variety of sweeteners. It has no caffeine and very low tannin levels, so no stimulation and no bitterness. I’ve found it to be calming or at least soothing and relaxing. It is rich in polyphenols.

My experience the last couple years or so has changed my opinion. I’d been waiting to try it out over time and let Muscle Response Testing (applied kinesiology) lead me to it as my body needed it. Now it is one of my staple antioxidant herbs that I buy in bulk. I don’t even bother with little boxes of tea bags.

I think it is a valuable antioxidant herb on par with some of the other major ones I listed above — but you may need to make it stronger than standard suggested use. I have success using 1 Tablespoon or more to make a cup brewed several minutes. I do that twice daily when Rooibos is part of my daily liver protection program. It is especially effective when paired with another one of the herbs listed here.

Tart Cherry Extract (Prunus cerasus)

Sour cherry Beauty Sheet via wikimedia commons

I’ve been using this as a complementary antioxidant herb in the form of 1200 mg extract equivalent capsules: 120mg of 12:1 extract per capsule. Usually I take four twice daily. I’m taking it now alongside the Chaparral which is my main anti-inflammatory, powerful detoxifying, liver protecting herb.

NOTE: In spite of its powerful antioxidant NDGA, I do not have Chaparral on this list because it is not for daily ongoing use. It should not be taken more than about two weeks at a time. It is the category ‘Clear Heat & Counter Toxins’ and is perhaps the strongest such herb. It is used only in very particular health situations where a strong detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic effect is needed because there is pain in the joints and/or headache (inflammation/heat), tumor/polyp, etc. Or it must be used in smaller amounts in a balanced combination of herbs for smooth detoxification of similar acute conditions. This herb is more valuable to those of us who have the Wood Constitution and secondary or tertiary conditions that can result from liver/gallbladder imbalances.

Others

There are other herbs that have been associated with antioxidant, liver/body protecting qualities: Wolf Berries, Schizandra Berries, but in my experience these are not as powerful or effective as the herbs listed previously. Feel free to contribute your comments, experience or links to good information on any other plants containing effective antioxidant properties. Acai berry also contains antioxidants, but not in the quantity to impress me. I do not yet have experience in using it to determine if it is capable of significant liver protection.

JiaoGuLan (Gynostemma pentaphyllum) is an energy tonic long used in folk medicine in China and southeast Asia. It is safe for summertime use because it is not heating like Ginseng can be (and other warming Qi tonics), and has a significant antioxidant content, especially if it is processed minimally (best when the leaf is simply dried and taken or encapsulated, or just as a long-brewed tea.

Important note

The caffeinated herbs listed here (Guayusa, Tea, Yerba Mate) are not compatible with many tonic herbs, in particular Ginseng and Yang tonics that can combine with them to create irritability, over-stimulation, and even over-heating of the blood. Be sure to build your personal herbal program around your primary herb of need (constitutional herb). If liver protection and prevention of toxicity is of primary importance, then be sure to leave off tonic herbs like Ginsengs (all forms), Epimedium (“Horny Goat Weed” an anti-rheumatic aphrodisiac and bone/joint strengthener) or other strengthening Yang tonics.

1. https://cleanlabelproject.org/are-there-chemicals-in-your-decaffeinated-coffee/