| Herbs and Your Liver
Herbal therapy has been an important part of health and wellness
for hundreds of years. Herbs contain many substances that are good
for the body and are therefore used in the treatment of various
illnesses. Along with traditional medicine, herbs can be used to
help the treatment of a disorder as minimal as sunburn or as dramatic
as liver disease.
Herbs come in many different forms. The most popular forms are
fresh herbs, dried herbs, tinctures, extracts, capsules or tablets,
teas and lozenges. Fresh and dried herbs can be used both as a food
and as a medicinal herb. Adding these herbs to salads, soups, stews,
casseroles, etc. can help you to maintain your health while also
adding flavor and nutrients to your cooking. 
Although herbs can be very helpful, as with medicine, herbs can
also have side effects. And, some herbs may be toxic when used the
wrong way. It is important to see an herbal specialist before taking
any herb, and to stop taking herbs if you have any unexpected symptoms.
Some herbs can make your HIV and other meds work less well. It
is important to first tell your doctor about any herbs that you
are taking or want to take. When taking herbal formulas, take them
2 to 3 hours before or after medications. In general, children and
pregnant women should not use herbals unless they are under the
supervision of their health care provider.
The following section lists the herbs that
may help to protect, heal, detoxify and support the liver:
Certain herbs are used as flavorings for foods or as medicinal
plants. You can either add them to your cooking or take them as
an herbal remedy. Below is a list of these herbs:
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) falls into both the food
and medicinal plant category. As a seasoning, turmeric is used a
lot in Indian food. This substance helps to protect the liver against
damage, fights inflammation and oxidation, aids in digestion by
stimulating bile flow and supports liver detoxification. Try adding
it to your favorite chicken and rice dishes.
Caution: Long-term use may cause gastrointestinal
disturbances.
Typical dose: As a tea, use 1 teaspoon of dried
root to 1 cup water, simmer and take 3 cups/day. Incorporate into
diet as a seasoning.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is used in cooking
and as a medicinal herb. It contains 8 liver-protecting compounds.
It aids digestion by stimulating bile flow and contains more than
12 antioxidant compounds.
Caution: Ginger is not recommended for people
taking anticoagulants, avoid taking if stomach is overstimulated
and take in moderation during early pregnancy.
Typical dose: Use in cooking. To prepare a tea,
add 1–2 slices of fresh ginger to 1 cup of water and simmer.
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is considered
both a food and a medicinal herb. As a food, dandelion leaves are
eaten as a vegetable and are usually added to salads or cooked like
spinach. Dandelion root is used as an herb to help stimulate bile
flow and help improve the symptoms of various liver diseases, including
hepatitis.
Caution: Avoid if you suffer from biliary ailments
or are low in pota-ssium. This herb may lower blood sugar levels.
Typical dose: 3 cups of tea per day. To prepare
tea, add 1 teaspoon of dried dandelion root to 1 cup of water and
simmer. Dandelion leaves are delicious as a vegetable.
Burdock (Arctium lappa) root can be added to
soups and stews. Burdock acts as a powerful antioxidant and as a
blood purifier. It is also good for gastrointestinal problems and
can help to restore liver and gallbladder function.
Caution: Avoid using if allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums,
marigolds and daisies. Large amounts may cause hypoglycemia. If
taking insulin, consult your doctor before using because your insulin
dosage may require adjustment. Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding.
Typical dose: 3 cups of tea per day. Add 1 teaspoon
of dried root to 1 cup of water and simmer. Use in cooking.
The following is a list of herbs that are
used as medicinal plants only:
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) root is an herb
that can help to reduce injury to the liver cells. It has been used
in the treatment of cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis. Studies have
shown that it can reduce liver enzymes and improve the symptoms
of chronic hepatitis.
Caution: Licorice root can increase blood pressure
if taken in large doses. If you have high blood pressure, do not
take more than 3 cups of licorice tea per day and avoid taking licorice
extracts in liquid, capsule or pill forms. Also, avoid licorice
if you are pregnant, have heart disease or take medications for
heart disease.
Typical dose: 3 cups of tea per day. To prepare
tea add 1 teaspoon of dried licorice root to 1 cup of water and
simmer.
Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) seeds are used as
a medicinal herb only. They help to stabilize cell membranes and limit
the number of poisons that enter the cell. Milk thistle also acts
as an antioxidant, helps to repair liver cells and helps the liver
to make new cells. It can be used in either tea or capsule form. When
purchasing capsules, make sure they are standardized to 80% silymarin.
Caution: Avoid using if suffering from breast,
uterine or ovarian cancer; endometriosis or uterine fibroids. Avoid
using when pregnant and/or lactating. Milk thistle may cause an
allergic reaction in people sensitive to ragweed, chrysanthemums,
marigolds and daisies.
Typical dose: If taking capsules, 400–800mg/day.
If taking as a tea, drink 1 cup per day or as directed by your healthcare
provider. To make tea, use 1 teaspoon of crushed seeds to 1 cup
of water and simmer.
Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis) has been used
for liver protection. It may help to lower liver enzyme levels and
improve the symptoms of chronic viral hepatitis.
Caution: Schisandra may make symptoms of peptic
ulcer disease or reflux disease worse.
Typical dose: 3 cups of schisandra tea per day.
To prepare tea, add 1 teaspoon of dried berries to 1 cup of water
and simmer. Herbal extracts should be standardized to 20mg lignan
content.
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