Many proponents of herbal medicine suggest using herbs toenhance the health of your liver, an organ responsible for clearing toxins from your body. Indeed, some research shows that certain herbs may help fight liver disorders likecirrhosis(scarring of the liver) or infections like hepatitis B and hepatitis C (causes of liver inflammation).
Here’s a look at several herbs that show promise as a natural means of boosting liver health.
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Milk Thistle
Milk thistle may benefit people with cirrhosis of the liver, according to a report published in 2001. Analyzing five clinical trials (with a total of 602 cirrhosis patients), researchers determined that treatment with milk thistle could lead to a significant reduction in liver-related mortality.
A 2005 research review looked at several clinical trials testing milk thistle in the treatment of hepatitis B and C. Although the authors found no evidence that milk thistle can help clear any type of hepatitis virus, some research suggests that milk thistle may help curb inflammation associated with hepatitis C and protect liver cells from damage.
What Are The Benefits of Milk Thistle?
Turmeric
Preliminary research indicates that turmeric may be useful in the treatment of hepatitis B and hepatitis C. In a 2009 study on liver cells, for instance, scientists discovered that turmeric extract helped stop the hepatitis B virus from replicating.
A test-tube study published in 2010, meanwhile, demonstrated that turmeric extract might help suppress the replication of the hepatitis C virus.
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Burdock
Burdock (an herb often used as a natural detox remedy) may help shield liver cells from acetaminophen-induced damage, according to an animal study published in 2000. In tests on mice, scientists found that antioxidants in burdock may lessen the harmful effects of toxic substances formed from the metabolism of acetaminophen.
Burdock: Everything You Need to Know
Using Herbs for Liver Conditions
Given the lack of clinical trials to support their use, neither turmeric nor burdock can currently be recommended for treatment of any type ofliver disease. Since the scientific support for milk thistle’s liver-protecting effects is also limited, it’s also too soon to recommend this herb as a principal treatment for liver problems.
To enhance your liver health every day, the American Liver Foundation encourages following a healthy diet, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting your alcohol intake, keeping yourcholesterolin check, and washing your hands frequently (in order to prevent infection).
Always remember that animal research results cannot automatically be applied to humans. If you’re considering the use of herbs for liver health, make sure to consult your physician before beginning treatment.
Frequently Asked QuestionsSymptoms of liver damage can include nausea and vomiting, feeling tired or weak, a poor appetite, losing weight without trying, and mild pain or discomfort in the upper right side of your abdomen.Milk thistle, turmeric, and burdock are three supplements often used to improve liver health. Of the three, milk thistle has the most evidence to support it can benefit liver health.Learn MoreSupplements for Liver HealthFoods that can help improve liver health include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains high in fiber. Aim for a healthy, balanced diet that includes lean protein, low-fat dairy, and unsaturated fats.Learn MoreHow to Choose Good Foods for Your LiverFoods to avoid if you have liver damage include those that are high in fat, sugar, and salt. Alcohol can also contribute to liver damage. Avoid or limit alcohol to no more than one drink a day if you are a woman or two drinks a day for a man.
Frequently Asked Questions
Symptoms of liver damage can include nausea and vomiting, feeling tired or weak, a poor appetite, losing weight without trying, and mild pain or discomfort in the upper right side of your abdomen.
Milk thistle, turmeric, and burdock are three supplements often used to improve liver health. Of the three, milk thistle has the most evidence to support it can benefit liver health.Learn MoreSupplements for Liver Health
Milk thistle, turmeric, and burdock are three supplements often used to improve liver health. Of the three, milk thistle has the most evidence to support it can benefit liver health.
Learn MoreSupplements for Liver Health
Foods that can help improve liver health include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains high in fiber. Aim for a healthy, balanced diet that includes lean protein, low-fat dairy, and unsaturated fats.Learn MoreHow to Choose Good Foods for Your Liver
Foods that can help improve liver health include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains high in fiber. Aim for a healthy, balanced diet that includes lean protein, low-fat dairy, and unsaturated fats.
Learn MoreHow to Choose Good Foods for Your Liver
Foods to avoid if you have liver damage include those that are high in fat, sugar, and salt. Alcohol can also contribute to liver damage. Avoid or limit alcohol to no more than one drink a day if you are a woman or two drinks a day for a man.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Latief U, Ahmad R.Herbal remedies for liver fibrosis: A review on the mode of action of fifty herbs.J Tradit Complement Med. 2018;8(3):352-360. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2017.07.002Saller R, Meier R, Brignoli R.The use of silymarin in the treatment of liver diseases.Drugs. 2001;61(14):2035-63. doi:10.2165/00003495-200161140-00003Mayer KE, Myers RP, Lee SS.Silymarin treatment of viral hepatitis: a systematic review.J Viral Hepat. 2005;12(6):559-67. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2893.2005.00636.xKim HJ, Yoo HS, Kim JC, et al.Antiviral effect of Curcuma longa Linn extract against hepatitis B virus replication.J Ethnopharmacol. 2009;124(2):189-96. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2009.04.046Kim K, Kim KH, Kim HY, Cho HK, Sakamoto N, Cheong J.Curcumin inhibits hepatitis C virus replication via suppressing the Akt-SREBP-1 pathway.FEBS Lett. 2010;584(4):707-12. doi:10.1016/j.febslet.2009.12.019Lin SC, Chung TC, Lin CC, et al.Hepatoprotective effects of Arctium lappa on carbon tetrachloride- and acetaminophen-induced liver damage. Am J Chin Med. 2000;28(2):163-73. doi:10.1142/S0192415X00000210
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Latief U, Ahmad R.Herbal remedies for liver fibrosis: A review on the mode of action of fifty herbs.J Tradit Complement Med. 2018;8(3):352-360. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2017.07.002Saller R, Meier R, Brignoli R.The use of silymarin in the treatment of liver diseases.Drugs. 2001;61(14):2035-63. doi:10.2165/00003495-200161140-00003Mayer KE, Myers RP, Lee SS.Silymarin treatment of viral hepatitis: a systematic review.J Viral Hepat. 2005;12(6):559-67. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2893.2005.00636.xKim HJ, Yoo HS, Kim JC, et al.Antiviral effect of Curcuma longa Linn extract against hepatitis B virus replication.J Ethnopharmacol. 2009;124(2):189-96. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2009.04.046Kim K, Kim KH, Kim HY, Cho HK, Sakamoto N, Cheong J.Curcumin inhibits hepatitis C virus replication via suppressing the Akt-SREBP-1 pathway.FEBS Lett. 2010;584(4):707-12. doi:10.1016/j.febslet.2009.12.019Lin SC, Chung TC, Lin CC, et al.Hepatoprotective effects of Arctium lappa on carbon tetrachloride- and acetaminophen-induced liver damage. Am J Chin Med. 2000;28(2):163-73. doi:10.1142/S0192415X00000210
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Latief U, Ahmad R.Herbal remedies for liver fibrosis: A review on the mode of action of fifty herbs.J Tradit Complement Med. 2018;8(3):352-360. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2017.07.002Saller R, Meier R, Brignoli R.The use of silymarin in the treatment of liver diseases.Drugs. 2001;61(14):2035-63. doi:10.2165/00003495-200161140-00003Mayer KE, Myers RP, Lee SS.Silymarin treatment of viral hepatitis: a systematic review.J Viral Hepat. 2005;12(6):559-67. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2893.2005.00636.xKim HJ, Yoo HS, Kim JC, et al.Antiviral effect of Curcuma longa Linn extract against hepatitis B virus replication.J Ethnopharmacol. 2009;124(2):189-96. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2009.04.046Kim K, Kim KH, Kim HY, Cho HK, Sakamoto N, Cheong J.Curcumin inhibits hepatitis C virus replication via suppressing the Akt-SREBP-1 pathway.FEBS Lett. 2010;584(4):707-12. doi:10.1016/j.febslet.2009.12.019Lin SC, Chung TC, Lin CC, et al.Hepatoprotective effects of Arctium lappa on carbon tetrachloride- and acetaminophen-induced liver damage. Am J Chin Med. 2000;28(2):163-73. doi:10.1142/S0192415X00000210
Latief U, Ahmad R.Herbal remedies for liver fibrosis: A review on the mode of action of fifty herbs.J Tradit Complement Med. 2018;8(3):352-360. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2017.07.002
Saller R, Meier R, Brignoli R.The use of silymarin in the treatment of liver diseases.Drugs. 2001;61(14):2035-63. doi:10.2165/00003495-200161140-00003
Mayer KE, Myers RP, Lee SS.Silymarin treatment of viral hepatitis: a systematic review.J Viral Hepat. 2005;12(6):559-67. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2893.2005.00636.x
Kim HJ, Yoo HS, Kim JC, et al.Antiviral effect of Curcuma longa Linn extract against hepatitis B virus replication.J Ethnopharmacol. 2009;124(2):189-96. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2009.04.046
Kim K, Kim KH, Kim HY, Cho HK, Sakamoto N, Cheong J.Curcumin inhibits hepatitis C virus replication via suppressing the Akt-SREBP-1 pathway.FEBS Lett. 2010;584(4):707-12. doi:10.1016/j.febslet.2009.12.019
Lin SC, Chung TC, Lin CC, et al.Hepatoprotective effects of Arctium lappa on carbon tetrachloride- and acetaminophen-induced liver damage. Am J Chin Med. 2000;28(2):163-73. doi:10.1142/S0192415X00000210
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