5 Natural Ways To Detox From Anesthesia After Surgery

Having surgery is stressful enough you probably want to avoid as much postoperative discomfort as you can. If your surgery requires local or general anesthesia, afterwards you may be challenged as your body deals with trying to expel the anesthesia compounds from your body. 

According to Medical News Today, side effects of general anesthesia include:

• Temporary confusion and memory loss
• Dizziness
• Difficulty passing urine
• Nausea and vomiting
• Shivering and feeling cold

These 5 natural ways to detox from anesthesia after surgery could help you prepare and heal more rapidly with less discomfort and pain. 

Get a Little Thistle

When you undergo anesthesia there is a depletion of glutathione, a natural antioxidant found in the liver. When this occurs your liver is more vulnerable to reduced functioning, namely detoxing the body as well as possibly sustaining damage. Milk thistle is an herbal supplement you can take to prevent the depletion of glutathione. 

According to MBG Health,

“Milk thistle not only prevents the depletion of glutathione, but also has been shown in laboratory studies to increase the level of this potent antioxidant by up to 35%. Typical dose for milk thistle: 70 mg three times daily. Start taking it at least one week before surgery and continue to take it for at least two weeks afterward.” 

Caution: Avoid milk thistle if you are allergic to plants in the ragweed family or have a history of hormone-related cancer, such as breast, uterine, or prostate, as milk thistle can affect hormone levels.

Recovery Diet

Surgery is a big assault on the body and what you eat directly afterward can mean the difference between a tough or easy recovery. The anesthesia recovery diet helps maintain the flow of bile which is essential to rid your body of fat-soluble toxins like anesthetics. It is recommended to avoid saturated fats, meat, dairy, alcohol, and refined sugar. Instead, drink plenty of clean plain water to help flush your system and stick to these best foods to eat after surgery:

• Oat bran
• Apples
• Pears
• Brussel sprouts
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Artichokes
• Beest
• Carrots
• Cinnamon
• Turmeric
• Garlic
• Onions
• Egg yolks

SAMe

There are lipotropics agents which are excellent liver support supplements which could be essential after surgery. S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) is a lipotropin that has received good study results as it is capable of breaking down unwanted chemicals in the body. 

In an archived double-blind, placebo-controlled study by Italian researchers from the Medical Pathology Department, University of Trieste, which was published in the journal ‘Gastroenterology’ it was stated,

“In conclusion, oral SAMe seems to be more effective than placebo in improving signs and symptoms of intra-hepatic cholestasis [severe itching due to liver toxin buildup] in chronic liver patients.”

After checking with your doctor, look for a supplement with a daily dose of SAMe as well as 1,000 mg of choline and 1,000 mg of methionine. Take one week before and at least two weeks after surgery. These formulas are good liver detox choices that can help set your system straight as it struggles to detox from anesthesia. 

Reduce Oxidative Stress: Grapeseed & Gotu Kola

Anesthesia could increase free radicals in the system causing oxidative stress that may lead to slower healing and toxic accumulation. 

Grapeseed extract has shown help alleviate this response by improving venous functioning and accelerating the healing process.  

According to Naturopathic Digest (as reported by Leaf), 

“grapeseed extract is rich in beneficial procyanidins [class of flavonoids – plant pigments], and promotes healing by protecting the collagen and elastin in the micro-vessel walls.” 

Michael T. Murray, N.D., naturopath and co-author of “Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine” advises a dosage of 100 to 150 mg twice a day. 

Gotu Kola is a perennially plant from the parsley family which, also according to Naturopathic Digest (as reported by Leaf), 

“promotes the growth of new connective tissue, improves microcirculation and speeds wound healing, as well as helping to prevent the formation of hypertrophic scars and keloids.” 

Murray recommends taking gotu kola extract with a triterpenic acid content of 30 to 60 mg twice a day.

Always check with your physician before taking these supplements.

These 5 natural ways to detox from anesthesia after surgery will hopefully help your body detox and heal more rapidly to get you back on your feet in no time.