Natural Herbs To Treat Chronic Liver Disease

Abstract

Liver is the organ which helps in the various functions of the body. This is a large organ that is located on the right side of the body. This organ weighs around 1.5 kg and is reddish-brown in color. Normally, the liver is not palpable as it is protected by the rib cage. The functions of this organ include the production of clotting factors and other proteins, detoxification of harmful products and ion of bile. The main function of this organ is to filter the blood coming from the digestive tract before passing it to the rest of the body. So further in this article we are going to discuss chronic liver disease and herbal remedies for chronic liver disease.  

Introduction

Chronic liver disease is a health condition in which there is a deterioration of liver functions. This disease occurs when the scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue into the diseased one. This is a disease process of the liver that involves a process of progressive destruction and regeneration of the liver parenchyma that further leads to fibrosis and cirrhosis. This condition refers to the disease of the liver that lasts over a period of six months. This disease consists of a wide range of liver pathologies which include inflammation, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Cirrhosis is a final stage of the liver disease that results in the disruption of the normal functioning of the liver.

Ayurvedic Aspect Of Chronic Liver Disease

In Ayurveda, we can correlate this condition with Kumbha kamala. Acharya Charak mentioned that when the patient is suffering from anemia for a longer period of time then this condition turns into the disease called as Kumbha kamla means the disease arises from the gut and causes dryness in the rasadi dhatus (Bodily tissues). The patient who is suffering from kumbha kamla then experiences symptoms like faeces and urine becoming yellowish black, excessive swelling, blood in eyes, vomiting, burning sensation, anorexia, constipation, drowsiness, confusion, etc.

Etiology / Causes

There are many causes that are responsible for this disease. Some of the common causes are:

• Viral Hepatitis
• Alcohol
• Drug induced liver disease from amiodarone, methotrexate, nitrofurantoin and paracetamol
• Excessive intake of fried food stuffs
• Hemochromatosis
• Wilson’s Disease
• Autoimmune diseases such Primary biliary cholangitis
• Primary sclerosing cholangitis
• Autoimmune Hepatitis
• High cholesterol level
• Hereditary

Clinical Features / Signs And Symptoms

Liver disorders do not always show noticeable symptoms. If symptoms occur then they include:

• Skin and eyes that appears yellowish in colour
• Ascites
• Liver Enlargement
• Pedal Edema
• Anemia
• Abdominal Pain
• Abdominal Distension
• Constipation
• Dark Colour Urine
• Nausea or Vomiting
• Skin Itching
• Loss Of Appetite
• Tendency To Bruise Easily

Risk Factors

Factors that may increase the risk of liver disease include:

• Heavy alcohol use
• Obesity
• Type 2 diabetes
• Unprotected sexual intercourse
• Family history of liver disease

Complication

The complications of chronic liver disease are:

• Lower Oesophageal Varices
• Encephalopathy
• Hepatocellular Carcinoma
• Liver Failure

Diagnosis

The condition may not be recognized unless there are some clinical symptoms. For making diagnosis, a doctor may advise some blood tests and imaging tests that include Ultrasound and biopsy of the liver.

Ayurvedic Management Of Kumbha Kamla

The Ayurvedic treatment plays a great role in treating Chronic Liver Disease as this ancient time treatment protocol manages the disease from its root cause and saves the liver from permanent damage and restores the life of the liver cells. The treatment protocol for chronic liver disease is:

1. Samshodhan Chikitsa (Detoxification Therapy)

The patient of chronic liver disease should be subjected to mridu virechana (mild purgation therapy) with tikta dravya (Bitter herbs).

2. Samshaman Chikitsa (Palliative Therapy)

After sanshodhan chikitsa, we can give medicines according to the dosha to the kamla patient. The following are the classical Ayurvedic medicines for Kamla:

Ras / Bhasma / Pishti

• Navayas Loha
• Dhatri Loha
• Nisha Loha
• Punarnava Mandoor
• Prana Vallabh Ras

Vati

• Arogyavardhini Vati
• Panchanan Vati
• Churna
• Triphala Churna
• Vishaladi Churna

Kwath / Asava / Arishta

• Phalatrikadi Kwath
• Draksharishta
• Kumaryasava
• Lohasava
• Ghrit
• Panchtikta Ghrita
• Haridryadya Ghrit
• Dadim Ghrit

Some preventive measures for chronic liver disease:

• Make a good habit of eating fresh fruits
• Avoid alcohol consumption
• Avoid non vegetarian diet
• Do yoga and meditation on daily basis
• Increase the intake of antioxidant food
• Take proper sleep at night
• Avoid taking unnecessary stress
• Eat a low sodium diet

Herbal Remedies For Chronic Liver Disease

Planet Ayurveda is a firm that provides herbal products for various diseases. This is basically a herbal company that manufactures herbal products from the extracts of herbs. The products are natural and vegetarian. These are made under expert supervision. Planet Ayurveda offers the following herbal products for the treatment of chronic liver disease:

1. Yakrit Plihantak Churna
2. Phyllanthus Niruri
3. Echinacea Capsules
4. Liver Detox Formula

Products description

1. Yakrit Plihantak Churna

This is a Planet Ayurveda herbal formulation in a powder form. This herbal formulation is made from the herbs like Bhumiamla (Phyllanthus niruri), Katuki (Picrorhiza kurrao), Makoy (Solanum indicum), Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), Sharpunkha (Tephrosia purpurea), etc.  This mixture helps in improving liver functions and protects the liver against the toxic factors from the external environment. This product also protects the liver against chemically constituted substances like Alcohol, and similar toxins. This has potential agents that will result in the degeneration of liver cells and lead to infectious conditions. This Powder form helps in the regeneration of liver cells, and provides improved bile production and pillars for overall liver functioning.  The herbal formulation inside the churna provides protection to the liver cells and acts as the all in one remedy for liver related health issues.

Dosage: 1 tsp twice daily with plain water before meal.

2. Phyllanthus Niruri

This is a single herb formulation. Phyllanthus niruri herb is also locally known by the name ‘Bhumi Amla’. The decoction of the plant is found to be helpful in maintaining the normal liver function tests and it also helps in maintaining the balance of Tridoshas i.e. Vata, Pitta, Kapha. These capsules of Planet Ayurveda assist in the rejuvenation of the hepatic cells ensuring the safety and preventing the onset of various hepato-biliary disorders as well. It is also found to be beneficial in various kidney disorders, inflammatory conditions resulting from Pitta imbalance and helps in augmenting the immune system of the body.

Dosage: 1 capsule twice a day after meals with plain water.

3. Echinacea Capsules

This is a natural herb which is popularly known as ‘The king of bitters.’ It is also known as ‘Kalmegh’ which means the dark cloud. This herb is known for its antiviral and antibacterial properties. It acts as the potential barriers against various viral infections and inflammatory conditions. This herbal formulation provides overall assistance against diseases by boosting the body’s immune responses. This herb has been proven to be very effective for liver and lymph nodes which makes this formulation very effective. It also helps in treating skin, digestive, and cardiac problems.

Dosage: 1 capsule twice a day after meals with plain water.

4. Liver Detox

This poly herbal formulation is helpful in detoxification of the body. It detoxifies the liver cells from harmful toxins. It is prepared from the herbal extracts of Katuki (Picrorhiza kurroa),, Makoy (Solanum indicum), Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), etc. It helps in the healthy maintenance of the liver in a natural way. The detoxification of the body is the primary function of the liver and it flush out the endotoxin build-up inside the cells to clear the body channels and in turn blessing the body with good health. It also helps with the active functioning of the liver as well as aid in detoxification processes of the body. These are 100% vegetarian and gelatin free capsules which makes them safe to use.

Dosage: 1 capsule twice a day after meals with plain water.

Conclusion

Therefore we can say these herbal formulations are natural and prepared from natural herbs and the best thing is they are devoid of any type of chemical, additive, preservative and binder. They do not cause any type of adverse effects and complications. Use these herbal formulations and stay safe and happy.