10 Of The Best Home Remedies For Liver Damage

10 Of The Best Home Remedies For Liver Damage. Graphic © herbshealthhappiness.com. Photo © AdobeStock 94365261 (under license)

The liver is the second biggest organ in the body (the skin is the first!) The liver is responsible for a variety of functions, like storing vitamins and synthesizing glucose, but its major function is detoxifying the blood. The liver filters out the harmful substances found in alcohol and drugs but too much of these substances eventually damages it. As time passes, the liver learns to work overtime but when the damage worsens with prolonged abuse, the liver can turn cirrhotic – which is an irreversible condition of liver scarring.So how do you reverse (or at least slow) this kind of damage?

1. Reduce / Eliminate Intake Of Alcohol, Drugs And Pharmaceuticals

Numerous drugs and pharmaceuticals are noted for their potential to damage the liver, especially in higher doses. The liver has to work hard to remove these toxins and overload can lead to damage.

The frontrunner in healthy liver habits is to limit your alcohol intake or even completely exclude it from your diet. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the recommended daily alcohol intake for women should not exceed 1 drink per day and should not exceed two drinks per day for men. Going over this recommended limit increases your risk for liver damage and even breast cancer. ^[1]

With regard to drugs, we cannot advise you to go against your doctor’s instructions but care should be taken to reduce the body’s overall toxic load wherever possible.

2. Milk Thistle

Milk thistle is a medicinal plant that has been used to treat a variety of liver and metabolic diseases over thousands of years in the Mediterranean. According to numerous studies, the inclusion of milk thistle is extremely valuable for liver support and for the overall management of liver health. ^[2][3] Milk thistle was also found by studies to have no harmful effects after longer term use.

3. Papaya

The use of papaya has been associated with skin whitening benefits, but it is also a good addition to your diet to protect your liver. A study in 2007 used fermented papaya preparations as possible supportive treatment for people with hepatitis C. The results were very positive! Papaya was able to improve hemodynamic balance in the body, as well as improving the ability of the body to detoxify itself. ^[4]

4. Eclipta Alba (False Daisy)

The Eclipta alba plant has been used since ancient times in traditional Ayurvedic medicine as a liver remedy. Today, studies have supported the claims of its effectiveness in improving liver health, protecting it from disease. Not only that, the plant is also shows good antioxidative properties on a liver damaged by alcohol abuse. ^[5][6]

5. Picrorhiza Kurroa

Another plant popularly used in Ayurvedic traditional medicine, Picrorhiza kurroa is known for managing jaundice – a condition where the skin becomes yellow because of excess bilirubin in the blood – and liver infections. ^[7] Picrorhiza, not commonly known in the West, was studied and revealed to have hepatoprotective effects as well, able to decrease hepatic lipids and fatty infiltration of the liver – overall reducing liver damage and improving liver health. ^[8]

6. Schisandra

Moving to Eastern Traditional Medicine, the Schisandra plant and its fruit are used for a variety of ailments, primarily infections. In a 2012 study, the Schisandra plant was able to prevent a rise in AST/ALT levels (markers of liver damage) in acute hepatotoxicity. This could be due to its ability to get rid of free radicals in the blood which damage liver tissue. ^[9]

7. Green Tea

When talking about healthy food and drink, green tea is often on the list because of its antioxidant effects. Green tea’s anti-hyperlipidemic effects are able to reduce fat build-up in the liver tissue and oxidative stress, causing a decrease in inflammation and AST/ALT levels. ^[10] The antioxidant effects also help clear our free radicals from the blood as well.

8. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is has immune system-boosting powers which in turn affects our over health, preventing disease. However, did you know that it is able to boost liver regeneration? The liver is a part of the body that will continue to function even as parts of it are damaged. Vitamin C is able to promote liver cell turnover and regeneration, making fruits high in Vitamin C an important part of your daily diet. ^[11]

9. Acupuncture

Acupuncture rose to prominence as its use in traditional Eastern medicine promoted total body health, depending on where the acupuncture is performed. Piercing the skin is thought to promote overall health and balance in the body improving blood circulation. The hepatoprotective effects of acupuncture were noted in a 2006 study in Korea. The use of acupuncture was found able to reduce liver toxicity, protecting tissue and function of the liver. ^[11]

10. Dandelion

Dandelions can be included in your diet through the leaves and roots made into tea. In a study that involved people with high fat diets who were at high risk for lipid accumulation in the liver. The groups who included dandelion extracts in their diets had less fat build-up in the liver, which suggests that dandelions can be used to manage non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. ^[12]

Note: as always for this site, this article is not medical advice. Consult your physician before using herbs / supplements especially if you have a medical condition or are taking any form of medication.

Some more of our posts on how to take care or detox your liver:

How To Make A Liver Cleansing Detox Juice
5 Common Habits That Damage Your Liver
Herbs For The Liver
Top 10 Best Foods to Cleanse Your Liver
5 Easy Tips For A Healthy Liver
How To Make A “Super Detox Juice”