Hepatitis is a chronic liver disease. According to the American Liver Foundation, more than 25 million American suffer from liver and gallbladder diseases. While today there are few effective treatments from mainstream medicine to cure the disease, people have been looking for alternative medicine and natural remedies.
Many herbal remedies have shown to improve the symptoms, and slow the progression of liver disease. The following are some of herbs that are effective in treatment of hepatitis and liver diseases:
1. Licorice. According to the traditional medicine guidelines, licorice root has a powerful anti-viral and anti-inflammatory effects, which have been proved by many scientific studies. Licorice root can improve the conditions of the liver, and help cure hepatitis.
2. Papaya. Papaya is found to be very useful in the treatment of liver diseases, including hepatitis.
3. Daisy or Chamomile. Daisy (and Chamomile) has cooling properties. It works to cleanse liver, reduce liver inflammation, and help to improve the symptoms of hepatitis.
4. Dang Gui (Dong Quai, or Angelica). Dang Gui is effective against long-term liver damage or infection. As a “blood generator and blood mover”, it has been used in the traditional medicine to treat chronic liver disorders (in combination with other herbs).
5. Lemon or Orange. Citrus fruits (lemon, orange, lime, and grapefruit) all have effects that reduce activity of over-functioning liver, which is typically caused by inflammation or other disorders.
6. Wolfberry (or Goji Berry). It has been used since ancient times in China as a medicine to protect the liver, and improve vision. Wolfberry can be used with daisy, or with dang gui.
Please note:
* Licorice has an effect to increase blood pressure (this may be helpful for someone who has low blood pressure). It should not be taken on a long-term basis if you have high blood pressure.
* Daisy, Citrus and Papaya are effective in reducing liver inflammation or over-functioning, but according to the traditional medicine guidelines, they cannot be used alone on a long-term basis, because they are “blood (or fluid) consumer”. If using them for long-term treatment, they should be combined with other herbs that have “blood generating” or “moisturizing” properties.
* Dang Gui is effective in long-term to protect liver and reduce infection, but it has warming properties. For some patients, a high dosage or long-term use could cause some problems (ulcers, fever, or inflammation). To reduce this side-effect, it can be used in combination with other cooling herbs.
