Herbal medicine uses herbs to enhance health. Some research found that certain herbs can help fight liver disorders like scarring of the liver or liver inflammation. The liver is responsible for clearing toxins from your body, therefore worth taking care of. Siggi Clavien recommends to include the following herbs in your diet to improve your liver health.

Milk thistle

A research in 2005 reviewed clinical trials using milk thistle in treating hepatitis B and C. Though the researches found no evidence that milk thistle helps reduce hepatitis, there is research that suggests that milk thistle can curb inflammation associated with hepatitis C and protect against liver damage.

Turmeric

Preliminary research shows that turmeric can be beneficial in the treatment of hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

In a 2009 study on liver cells, scientists found that turmeric extract helped halt the hepatitis B virus from replicating. Another study published in 2010 found that turmeric extract helps suppress the replication of the hepatitis C virus.

Burdock

Burdock is a herb that is often used in natural detox. A study in 20016 found that this herb can help shield liver cells from acetaminophen-induced damage. Scientists also found that in tests in mice, antioxidants in burdock may reduce the harmful effects of toxic substances formed from acetaminophen’s metabolism.

Other animal-based research suggests that burdock can assist in protecting the liver from damage caused by alcohol consumption.

Using Herbs for Liver Conditions

Because of the lack of clinical trials to support turmeric and burdock’s benefits, they can’t be recommended for the treatment of liver diseases. It is also too soon to recommend milk thistle as a principal treatment for liver diseases as scientific research for milk thistle and its protective qualities are also limited.

There are things you can do daily to enhance your liver health.

  • Follow a healthy diet and include these foods
  • Exercise regularly
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Limit alcohol consumption
  • Keep your cholesterol in check
  • Wash hands frequently to prevent infection

Note: If you want to use herbs in your liver health treatment, make sure to consult your physician before starting the treatment.