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Herbal Remedies for Chronic Hepatitis

Chronic hepatitis is the persistent and frequent swelling of the liver. It can cause cirrhosis of the liver, liver failure and even death in some circumstances. Chronic hepatitis usually develops slowly and is the result of the autoimmune system attacking itself. Chronic hepatitis is usually a mild progression of the disease. But over time it can shut the liver down completely. In some cases, a liver transplant may be warranted.

  1. Mushrooms

    • Reishi, shitake and Maitake mushrooms are known as the best mushrooms for treating hepatitis. Reishi is a mushroom that is central to Fu Zheng therapy in traditional Chinese medicine. Fu Zheng is a class of herbs that herbalists believe are the most powerful for gaining all-around strength, whether for healing or fighting illness.

      Reishi mushrooms are the most known to aid in treating hepatitis viruses. They are full of compounds called polysaccharides. Polysaccharides stimulate the immune system and help the body fight cancerous tumors. They also help fight infections, most commonly the hepatitis B and C viruses. Reishi mushrooms also inhibit the growth of bacteria and viruses.

    Chinese Herbs

    • For treating hepatitis B and C, there are Chinese herbs such as salvia. Salvia is the most frequently used herb in modern Chinese herbal medicine. It has a very complex chemistry. The main active ingredients are tanshinones, a form of naphthaquinone.

      Salvia helps in the resorption of fibrous plaques in the liver, which can cause hardening of the liver. It is also widely used in the treatment of cirrhosis of the liver. It can be taken in a single herb or in a complex formula for treatment of both acute and chronic hepatitis. When taken as a single herb, it is typically given through an IV so as to quickly improve your condition. For treating more severe diseases, salvia is typically given in 15 to 20 grams in decoction. Decoction refers to the boiling of the herb to remove the important material for medicinal purposes.

      Silymarin is a high-complex flavonoid. It comes from Silybum marianum, also known as milk thistle, which was introduced as a therapeutic herb but soon used by Chinese herbalists as a treatment for liver diseases. Its main purpose is to protect the liver from damage. Typically it is used in the early stages of liver destruction. However, a concentrated extract of silybum, which is rich in silymarin, is sold as a health product in the U.S.

      The dosage suggestion is 140 milligrams a day. This dosage is reported to be protective of the liver, but 420 milligrams a day has been found to help repair liver damage. At this point, it is not clear whether silymarin can cure viral hepatitis. Silybum extracts are sold at most health food stores in the United States.

    Milk Thistle

    • Milk thistle (Silybum marianum), which originated in Europe, is now also grown in the United States. The ingredient experts believe responsible for its medicinal qualities is silymarin, believed to be found in the fruits of the milk thistle plant.

      One of the beneficial effects of the milk thistle plant is liver cell growth. Silymarin can promote the growth of certain types of cells in the liver. It is a good antioxidant thought to help fight destructive chemical problems in the body, which are commonly known as oxidation. In oxidation, the body produces harmful substances known as free radicals. Free radicals can damage cells. Research has shown that silymarin can help prevent these substances from damaging the liver and its cells.

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