Dare To Be Aware | Alternative Healing Portal

Hepatitis | Inflammation of the Liver | Alternative Treatments that Help

By Viola Woolcott

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, which is caused by viral infections and toxic agents as well as autoimmune disorders. Hepatitis is characterised by, fever, jaundice, enlarged liver, abnormal liver function and abdominal pain. In the UK almost 10% of people are affected. The rest of the worldwide population counts 9% of sufferers.

There are 5 different types of hepatitis, A, B, C, D and E. The strands that may be life long or even critical, that cause chronic hepatitis are the B, C and D types. It has been suggested that globally 170 million of people are chronically affected in particular by hepatitis C, with 3-4 million of new cases every year, which has become a serious issue.

Conventional drug treatments include:

>> alpha-interferon - produced by animal cells when they are diseased with viruses. Induces healthy cells to manufacture an enzyme that counters the infection. Made commercially for pharmacologic effects. Side effects range from hair loss and discolouration, worsening of the skin conditions in cases of atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.
>> pegylated interferon - produces flu-like symptoms, fever, sweating, chills, tiredness and muscle aches. Side effects such as liver and thyroid malfunction as well as altered blood chemistry has been reported. Allergic reactions are common. In a substantial number of women menstrual cycle changes have also been documented.
>> ribavirin - synthetic antiviral agent that inhibits the synthesis of viral DNA and RNA.

There are alternative treatments.

For over 20 years Japanese herbalists have used glycyrrhizin as a tea, made from liquorice root to support the symptoms of chronic hepatitis, as its active ingredients are immune-modulating and also have the ability to reduce liver inflammation.

Milk Thistle has been used for centuries to treat quite a number of liver conditions. It is a herb that has probably been used most widely as an alternative herbal remedy in hepatitis treatments. It may improve how the liver functions, but it is no cure. Containing a bioflavonoid which is extracted from the seeds of the plant called silymarin acts as an active ingredient, which has been known to regenerate and protect the liver as well as acting as an anti-inflammatory which is believed to have the advantage to benefit some strains of hepatitis. Some researchers have claimed that silymarin may cause side-effects like gastrointestinal disturbances as well as skin rashes. German health authorities have approved milk thistle as a complimentary treatment for the conditions of hepatitis and other liver disorders.

Green Tea - White Tea has been found to reduce or even prevent certain strains of hepatitis as it contains high contents of catechin which is a powerful antioxidant. Catechins are plant metabolites that belong to the flavonoid family and are witnessed to fighting tumours. Catechins enhance the function of the immune system as for their polyphenol antioxidant character.

It is believed that the fruit juice of the Prickly Pear (Opuntia Ficus) may protect against liver disease. Certain phenols, ascorbic acid and flavonoid which act as an antioxidant could prevent the effects of liver deterioration.

Curcuminoids (yellow pigment in Turmeric) have a long history in the treatment of hepatitis and gallbladder disease. They also have anti-free-radicals as well as anti-inflammatory properties which have been shown to be effective in suppressing liver inflammation.

Filed under: Health and Diet on December 6th, 2007