Happy New Year! As we step into 2026, many of us are thinking about fresh starts and renewed vitality. If you’re among those embarking on a dry January, you’re already on the right path. This is an excellent time to consider a Liver and Gallbladder flush—a simple yet powerful cleanse to release accumulated toxins and set yourself up for optimal health in the year ahead.
From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, the liver and gallbladder play a critical role in maintaining our body’s balance. Think about the foods and substances we tend to indulge in: alcohol, coffee, rich foods, fried foods, even cannabis and nicotine. Chinese medicine categorizes all of these as “warming” or outright “hot” in nature. When we consume them regularly, these substances accumulate as heat toxins in the Liver and Gallbladder, creating an overload that manifests as systemic inflammation throughout the body.
Now, inflammation itself isn’t inherently bad—it’s actually a vital part of our immune response. The problem arises when this function becomes overactive and misdirected, potentially leading to autoimmune conditions where the body begins attacking its own cells. This is where the Liver and Gallbladder flush becomes valuable. It helps dredge up accumulated toxins and eliminate them from your system, giving these hardworking organs a much-needed reset.
What Makes This Flush Different
The seven-day program I recommend is designed to dissolve gallstones and open the bile ducts in preparation for elimination on the final day. What I appreciate most about this approach is that it’s not overly restrictive—you don’t need to follow a rigid diet during the week, though maintaining cleaner eating habits will certainly enhance your results. This pragmatic approach makes it far more user-friendly than many other detox protocols.
An Ideal Pairing: Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs
While the flush itself is effective, pairing it with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine creates a synergistic detoxification experience. I recommend weekly acupuncture and cupping therapy for the four weeks leading up to your flush. Acupuncture and cupping excel at moving chi and blood, removing systemic energetic blockages that may be contributing to stagnation in your body.
Chinese detox herbs work internally to remove what we call “damp-heat”—essentially cooling down an overactive immune and nervous system to reduce inflammation. When you combine the external work of acupuncture with the internal action of herbs and the mechanical cleansing of the flush, you’re addressing detoxification from multiple angles.
The Simplified Seven-Day Protocol
Here’s a streamlined version of the flush that’s easy to follow:
Days 1-6: Preparation
Drink 32 oz of organic apple juice, cranberry juice, or apple cider daily (or 1 tablespoon malic acid in 32 oz water). The malic acid softens stones and makes them easier to pass. Sip this slowly throughout the day between meals—not during meals or within two hours after eating.
During this week, avoid cold foods and beverages (they chill the liver), and minimize animal products, dairy, and fried foods. Eat normally otherwise, just do’t overeat.=
Day 6: The Main Event
Morning/Lunch: Light breakfast (warm oatmeal or quinoa), then plain steamed vegetables with rice for lunch. No proteins, fats, or oils. Nothing to eat or drink after 2 PM except water.
6:00 PM: Mix 4 tablespoons Epsom salts into 24 oz filtered water (makes 4 servings). Drink the first 3/4 cup portion.
8:00 PM: Drink second 3/4 cup of Epsom salt mixture.
9:45 PM: Squeeze fresh grapefruit to get 3/4 cup juice (or use lemon/orange). Mix with 1/2 cup olive oil in a jar, shake vigorously until watery.
10:00 PM: Drink the oil mixture while standing. Lie down immediately with your head elevated on 1-2 pillows. Stay still for at least 20 minutes, then sleep.
Day 7: Completion6:00 AM: Drink third 3/4 cup Epsom salt mixture.
8:00 AM: Drink fourth and final Epsom salt portion.
10:00 AM: Fresh fruit juice is okay now. 30 minutes later, eat fresh fruit. One hour after that, return to light, regular food.
Ready to Begin?
If you’re interested in combining this flush with acupuncture and Chinese herbs for the most comprehensive detoxification experience, book your appointment now. We’ll create a customized four-week protocol that prepares your body optimally for the cleanse and supports your system throughout the process.
Here’s to a healthy, vibrant 2026!
