Fertility and pregnancy: Pamper your liver!

The liver is an organ often strained by excess, stress, and certain daily habits, and it plays a role in the body’s overall hormonal balance. Marie-Liesse Goutte, from the Instagram account @phytofemme, a phyto-aromatherapy consultant specializing in fertility restoration, explains why it deserves our attention and how to take care of it.

Want to understand what science says about exposure to pollutants and the benefits of a detox before pregnancy? Our article Detox before pregnancy: what science says takes stock.

1. Many couples are struggling to conceive today: in France, 1 in 4 couples is affected by infertility (difficulty conceiving after 12 months of trying).^[1] Marie-Liesse, can the liver hinder conception?

"The liver itself won't block conception, but since its work allows for proper overall hormonal management, its importance is clear. It is the body's waste management station, so the less it works, the more waste accumulates. For example, estrogen is not recycled as well as it should be. But that's not all; the liver also works on the entire dynamics of the pelvic area... If it is clogged, there will be stasis (lack of circulation). This creates congestion and a lack of blood flow, which pave the way for inflammation!"

2. In a fertility treatment path, where hormones can quickly clog up the body, should we be even more attentive to the care we provide to our liver?

"Absolutely! During treatment, we can pamper it by paying attention to our diet! Avoid inflammatory foods and favor cruciferous vegetables or bitter greens. A hot water bottle on the liver is also very beneficial. But between two protocols, it is really worth doing what is loosely called: a detox. The liver does not need to be detoxified (that's its job). However, we can help it clean itself better with cholagogue and choleretic plants! It is also highly recommended to use what are called hepatoprotective plants, meaning they will protect the liver for future challenges!"

3. How can we avoid an accumulation of waste in our body?

"By regularly taking certain plants that support the liver and by having a suitable diet that helps avoid saturating it. We can take advantage of each change of season to pamper it more specifically."

4. In naturopathy, we make sure to take care of the liver through dietary adjustments, but also through gentle detox processes. With the new season upon us, do you have any tips for readers to take care of their liver on a daily basis?

"Here, we are lucky to have birch trees, so every year I do a 3-week birch sap cure to jump-start my body after winter! Each of us can adapt the plants to our needs... There are also daily habits like lemon juice, a hot water bottle in the evening, a balanced diet, and sufficient hydration. To this, one can add the consumption of daily herbal teas. I usually rotate between several teas that all have a supportive action: rosemary, yarrow, and nettle (for more general support). I also really like milk thistle, but the infusion is not very pleasant... You could take it as a mother tincture or in capsules, for example. There is a multitude of interesting plants! Besides, many of the plants that appear in the spring are great liver pamperers, such as dandelion!"

5. What are the best times to start a detox?

"The first green light is our energy: if we are wiped out, we must ensure we get back in shape first. Then, check for clogging via signals sent by our liver: migraines, digestive difficulties, changes in bowel movements, a white tongue, etc... Our ancestors, who watched animal functions much more closely, would 'purge' themselves twice a year, in the autumn and in the spring... This is a good option, but it should never be done in parallel with medical treatments (at the risk of altering how the body must assimilate them). On the other hand, you can do a detox before or after a treatment, before starting to try for a baby (and certainly not after, as there is no 'detox' during pregnancy and breastfeeding!)."

This article presents the point of view of a phyto-aromatherapy consultant, based on her experience and naturopathic approach; it does not reflect a medical consensus and does not constitute medical advice. In case of difficulty conceiving, medical advice remains the first recommended step.