Holistic Medication & Hepatitis C

According to Healing Well.com, up to 3 million Americans have the hepatitis C virus (HCV), though most are unaware of the infection. Hepatitis C can mimic other diseases, like cancer, influenza and chronic fatigue syndrome, or cause no symptoms at all. Conventional treatment for HCV combines interferon with antivirals. The therapy has around a 40 percent cure rate and often causes debilitating side effects. Patients sometimes turn to holistic medicine to manage HCV infections or side effects of conventional treatment.

Types

• Holistic treatments can include herbs, homeopathy, mind-body therapies, nutrition, traditional Chinese medicine and ayurvedic medicine, according to Hepatitis C Caring Ambassadors Program, an organization dedicated to educating about and preventing hepatitis C.

Function

• Hepatitis C impairs proper liver function and can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer and death, according to Healing Well.

Herbs

• Dandelion root, ginseng, ginger and St. John's wort can help protect and detoxify the liver. Milk thistle is generally regarded as the best hepatic herb because of its antioxidant properties, stimulation of liver cell production and anti-inflammatory abilities, according to Healing Well.

Warning

• "Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide," by Burton Goldberg, et al., advises taking glycyrrhizin, found in licorice and known for inhibiting the growth of viruses, which makes it beneficial for HCV. This remedy isn't advised for those with hypertension, because glycyrrhizin can elevate blood pressure.

Considerations

• Liverdisease.com emphasizes the importance of nutrition therapy in treating hepatitis C. Patients with HCV are advised to avoid alcohol, reduce iron intake and eat a low-fat diet.