Ayurvedic Treatment for Liver Disease with Herbal Remedies

Abstract

Liver disease is the most common cause of death. Liver disease causes more than two million deaths each year and accounts for 4% of all deaths worldwide, 1 in 3 liver-related deaths occur in women. Of these, 600,000 to 900,000 deaths are caused by liver cancer. According to the World Health Organization, liver disease is the tenth most common cause of death in India. One in five Indians suffer from liver disease. Liver disease kills more people than diabetes and road accidents combined. Liver disease usually does not show any obvious signs or symptoms until it becomes severe and the liver is damaged. There are several liver function tests available to check the proper functioning of the liver. In this article will discuss signs, symptoms, causes of Liver disease according to ayurveda and modern approach.

Introduction

Liver is the second largest gland of the body. Liver is responsible for many functions related to the different systems such as fat metabolism, production of proteins from blood plasma, storing and releasing of glucose, and removing bacteria from the bloodstream. Any physical or functional damage to the liver can cause significant hindrance to the related body functions of different systems. And in Ayurveda Liver diseases are termed as Yakrit Vikar. Yakrit means liver, vikara refers to disorder or diseased condition. According to Acharya Sushruta the organ yakrit, which means liver is formed from the blood during the embryonic stage and it is considered to be the main site of blood. When this condition is left untreated it can become life threatening and may cause permanent damage to the liver.

Stages of Liver Diseases

Chronic liver disease broadly progresses in four stages

1. Hepatitis (Inflammation)
2. Fibrosis (Scarring)
3. Cirrhosis (Severe Scarring)
4. Liver Failure

Stage 1. Hepatitis

Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. It can be caused when immune cells attack the liver and cause autoimmune hepatitis such as Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. It can also occur due to the bacteria, liver damage through the medications mainly paracetamol and alcohol. 

Stage 2. Fibrosis

Fibrosis is the buildup of abnormally large amounts of scar tissue in the liver. It occurs when the liver attempts to repair and replace damaged cells.

Stage 3. Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis is permanent scarring of the liver, it is the stage where reversible of fibrosis is not possible

Stage 4. Liver Failure

Liver failure begins when your liver can no longer function properly to meet your body’s needs and the liver cannot be repaired. This is also called “decompensated cirrhosis”

Causes of Liver Disease

There are various causes of liver disease, some of them are

1. Alcohol
2. Toxins
3. Auto-immune diseases
4. Some medications such as acetaminophen
5. Obesity
6. Diabetes
7. Infection

Symptoms of Liver disease

Mainly symptoms do not appear until 70% of the liver is damaged. But some patients show some symptoms like

1. Abdominal pain
2. Nausea
3. Loss of appetite
4. Weakness
5. Fatigue

And in later stages the symptoms that shows are

1. Jaundice
2. Dark yellowish urine
3. Digestion problem
4. Weight loss
5. Itchy Skin
6. Swollen hands, feets
7. Ascites

Complications of Liver disease

The most shown complications of liver diseases are portal hypertension, esophageal varices and hepatocellular carcinoma

Ayurvedic Overview

Liver can be termed as Yakrit in Ayurveda, and liver diseases are termed as Yakrit Vikara. According to Acharya Sushruta the organ Yakrit, which means liver is formed from the blood during the embryonic stage and it is considered to be the main site of blood. Yakrit Vikar occurs through the Yakrit vridhi (Hepatomegaly)and Yakrit Kshaya (Cirrhosis). Yakrit Vikar deals with abdominal disorders. 

Herbs that are effective in liver diseases

1. Kalmegh
2. Bhumi Amla
3. Bhringraj
4. Punarnava
5. Kutki
6. Kasni
7. Haritaki
8. Sharpunkha
9. Makoy
10. Himsra

Home Remedies for Liver Diseases

1. Eat Amla (Indian Gooseberry)- It helps in maintaining good liver functioning. It improves digestion and boosts the body’s immune system and also protects liver functioning. It effectively treats hepatitis B infection.
2. Haldi (Turmeric) in Milk- It contains antioxidants, which easily manages liver related problems. It provides amazing results in hepatitis C and B. Regular consumption of turmeric mixed milk helps in maintaining the proper functioning of the liver in the human body.
3. Yashtimadhu (licorice)- It has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial and hepatoprotective properties. 

Ayurvedic treatment for Liver Diseases

Ayurvedic Treatment for Liver Diseases is Combination of Natural Methods including Diet, Lifestyle, Home Remedies, Panchkarma and Herbal Remedies, such as

Panchakarma therapy: It is a therapy used for detoxification and Purification of the body. Some Panchakarma procedures are helpful in Liver diseases. They are

1. Vamana (Emesis therapy)
2. Virechana (Purgation therapy)

Herbal Remedies For Liver Diseases

Planet Ayurveda is a GMP certified company that offers a comprehensive array of herbal supplements and wellness products formulated using traditional Ayurvedic recipes and potent herbs. Planet Ayurveda has an amazing combination of Herbal Remedies for Liver Diseases as a Liver-Care Pack. It contains 3 herbal formulations.  These herbal remedies are prepared from using the best quality and strictly follow the principles of Ayurveda. They are

1. Yakrit Plihantak Churna
2. Liver detox formula
3. Phyllanthus Niruri Capsules
4. Indian Echinacea Capsules

Product Description

1. Yakrit Plihantak Churna

Yakrit Plihantak churna is a blend of herbal formulation which consists of 8 herbs such as Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), Kasni (Cichorium intybus), Bhumi Amla (Phyllanthus niruri), Kutki (Picrorhiza kurrao), Punarnava (Boerrhavia diffusa), Sharpunkha (Tephrosia purpurea), Bhringraj (Eclipta alba) and Makoy (Solanum indicum). This powder is perfect for relieving this liver disorder. The powder contains herbs that are effective in regenerating liver cells and also supports healthy liver metabolism. The powder helps in eliminating toxins from the body and thus supports the detoxification process.

Dosage: 1 teaspoon twice daily after meals.

2. Liver Detox Formula

These capsules are made using a combination of nine effective herbs for better liver functioning such as Kutki (Picrorhiza kurroa), Punarnava (Borehavia diffusa), Makoy (Solanum indicum), Himsra (Capparis spinosa), Kasni (Cichorium intybus) etc. These capsules are considered to be the best for boosting the liver detoxification process. It is effective in managing the symptoms of all types of liver diseases including hepatomegaly,fatty liver and liver cirrhosis.

Dosage: 1 Capsule twice a day after meals.

3. Phyllanthus Niruri

Phyllanthus Niruri (Bhumi Amla) Capsules are very useful in managing liver problems such as liver inflammation, jaundice and weak liver function. Bhumi Amla not only helps in liver detoxification but also helps in nutrition due to its Rasayana (Rejuvenation) and Pitta balancing properties.

Dosage: 1 capsule twice a day after meals.

4. Indian Echinacea

Indian Echinacea (Kalmegh) Capsules are beneficial in managing liver problems because they have  anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties. It also prevents damage to liver cells caused by free radicals. It has hepatoprotective properties due to its Kapha and Pitta dosha balancing nature.

Dosage: 1 Capsule twice a day after meals.

Conclusion

In today’s era there are many factors that can cause liver toxicity. Alcohol consumption, some viral infections,weakness due to any disease, drug-induced liver toxicity and some other various causes like self-medication and over medication without consulting a physician,overdose of painkillers and corticosteroids are responsible for liver disease. Unhealthy diet and lifestyle, lack of physical exercise leads to fatty liver. Ayurvedic herbal preparations have many benefits like shortening the disease duration, early regeneration of parenchymal cells, complications like cirrhosis, hepatic encephalopathy and hepatocellular carcinoma. Planet Ayurveda opens a new gate for treatment of Liver diseases through their holistic approaches in an era where there is no permanent cure for liver diseases.