Soft and natural medicines to take care of your liver

In the body as a whole, the liver plays an essential role because it protects you from all kinds of poisoning caused by substances that enter the body with food, medicine or the air we breathe.

To do this, for example, it produces bile, a substance that accumulates in the gallbladder and is capable of killing microbes and deactivating toxic agents, but above all allows the assimilation of fats, breaking them down into small droplets on which digestive enzymes can act. In addition, the liver is a storehouse of iron, vitamins and energy in the form of glycogen.

There are natural resources to take care of the liver

Most people are exposed to a environmental toxic overload, such as heavy metals and artificial compounds, which can compromise the functioning of the system formed by the liver and the gallbladder.

Normally this happens during a silently for a long period of time. Symptoms that may indicate a liver disorder are tiredness, diffuse malaise, lack of appetite or itching. Often they are not accompanied by abnormal blood laboratory values, but they are enough to decide to take measures to strengthen the liver.

in the realm of natural medicine, There are a good number of options that can prevent the development of chronic or serious diseases or can be part of an appropriate treatment if they have already manifested.

Choose a diet low in saturated fat

Since liver weakness is often accompanied by impaired bacterial flora and chronic constipation, problems that cause the release of toxic by-products of digestion, the first and most important measure involves reduce saturated fat intake (foods of animal origin and palm and coconut oils) or partially hydrogenated (margarines, pastries and ready meals), as well as sweets and products made with refined flour.

Instead, it is convenient increase consumption of fresh vegetables They provide food for digestive bacteria. It is also important to increase the consumption of unsaturated fats (olive, flax, walnut, pumpkin oils…).

The Mediterranean diet, with large consumption of vegetables, fruits, olive oil, as well as a balanced vegetarian diet with seeds and nuts are optimal. Thanks to changes in the diet in this direction, great improvements are usually achieved.

eliminate alcohol

One in three liver patients can throw the direct blame of their ills. Although the alcoholic tolerance of the liver depends on each individual and on pre-existing diseases, the maximum daily dose that is not associated with a risk for men is 750 ml of beer or 375 ml of wine.

In the case of women, that figure is reduced by half because their stomach secretes less cyclooxygenase, an enzyme that breaks down alcohol before it reaches the intestine and thus the blood and liver. However, these doses can easily be exceeded on a day-to-day basis.

Be careful with medicines

Hepatotoxic drugs such as paracetamol. It is surprising that an over-the-counter, non-prescription drug is the leading cause of sudden liver failure. In theory, if the doses recommended in the package are not exceeded, there should be no side effects, but not all people know the state of their liver.

For example, fatty liver is a frequent disorder, especially in obese people, that multiplies the vulnerability of the organ to paracetamol. Other drugs that put a strain on the liver are steroids, birth control pills, cholesterol-lowering statins, or antibiotics such as erythromycin. If any of these medications are taken, it is advisable to monitor the state of the liver.

Turn to friendly plants

In all hepatic alterations, a cure with milk thistle extract (Silybum marianum). It has an active component called silymarin with degreasing properties that even favors the creation of new liver cells. It has been shown that it can be useful to combat hepatitis C, especially in chronic cases.

Conventional hepatitis treatment is aggressive, and milk thistle may increase its effectiveness while protects the organ Other indications for milk thistle are fatty liver, cirrhosis, and gallbladder and kidney stones. The recommended dose is between 280 and 600 mg of extract daily for 6-8 weeks or more.

Other medicinal plants, generally with a bitter taste, help reduce inflammation of the liver, such as dandelion,artichoke leaves and horsetail. Herbalists usually sell mixtures of these plants that can be prepared as an infusion and consumed at a rate of two cups a day.

Specific remedies are the dandelion juice (one tablespoon daily) and the artichoke extract, which stimulates the flow of bile, improves the digestion of fats and reduces cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood by up to 15%. The dandelion can be collected in spring in the field, in uncontaminated places, to be added to salads.

homeopathic care

Choosing a homeopathic remedy is based on features of the patient. In other words, two people with hepatitis do not receive the same medicine, but the one that best corresponds to their temperament.

However, homeopaths often use certain preparations in an complementary for its indication in liver disorders. This is the case of remedies such as Chelidonium, Podophyllum, Berberis and Hydrastis, Carduus Marianus, Hepatine (in case of hepatitis) and Digitalis.

Wraps and Chinese medicine

The purifying organ can also be treated from the outside, applying hot and humid wraps. The wraps are left on the hepatic region for 20 minutes and are repeated 2 to 3 times a week.

Are suitable for mild disorders and they should be avoided in the acute or advanced phases, or if there is a possibility of having an infection.

It is also very helpful Chinese traditional medicine.In order for treatment to be effective, it is important that a specialist with sufficient training make the diagnosis.

In general, Chinese medicine describes alterations of the ascending yang of the liver and gallbladder. It is associated with symptoms of heat, which is why he recommends avoiding spices such as chili or pepper, very hot or very cooked foods, and coffee, which favor yang.

The acupuncturist diagnoses the situation. If necessary, tonify the yin or yang of the liver, or eliminate its possible excesses. For it applies needles at certain points of the liver meridian.

When the liver is impaired it can be difficult to steer behavior and thought in the satisfactory direction. Often the person can feel overwhelmed by anger, the emotion that Chinese medicine associates with the liver, and that is expressed in irritability and frustration.

How to treat hepatitis

A common liver disease is hepatitis. Viruses B and C are widespread, but the usual one is A, which generally courses without leaving sequelae.

​They are owed avoid liver toxins including unnecessary medications. Some homeopathic remedies can help but it is necessary to go to a good doctor.

osteopathy It can also help in chronic hepatitis as it positively influences the surrounding tissue and the digestive tract, which also suffers.

What is the sfatty liver syndrome?

Fatty liver is a frequent disorder, especially in obese people. It should be prevented and treated. It is estimated that up to 24% of the European adult population may be affected by fatty liver, a disorder also known as hepatic steatosis.

The cause of 90% of them is the so-called metabolic syndrome, a combination of being overweight, high blood pressure and elevated levels of fat and sugar in the blood.

At first the symptoms are nonspecific. We usually talk about pressure in the upper right part of the abdomen or digestive discomfort such as gas, diarrhea or a feeling of fullness. At this stage it usually goes unnoticed, but it can be discovered through blood tests and ultrasound.

The treatment of fatty liver consists fundamentally in lose weight and increase physical activity, in addition to modifying the diet and avoiding the consumption of alcohol and unnecessary medications.

In those people who are in more advanced stages of the disease (hepatic inflammation or fibrosis) some nutrients can be used, such as vitamin E for its antioxidant properties, and insulin-sensitizing drugs.

Also, it is recommendedL-carnitine and S-adenosylmethionine supplements. The indication of these supplements and their doses should be supervised by a doctor trained in orthomolecular therapy.

In the worst case, especially if alcohol consumption is not stopped, fatty liver can lead to a hepatic cirrhosis, which implies a general deterioration of the organ and may require a transplant.

Natural treatment of stones in the gallbladder

A very common alteration is the formation of stones in the gallbladder. Its causes are multiple, but one diet low in fiber and high in saturated fat and cholesterol they favor them.

Some studies indicate that improper fasting, birth control pills, and certain cholesterol-lowering medications also promote them.

gallbladder stones They are usually asymptomatic. 25% of those affected have discomfort when a stone becomes trapped or moves along the vesicular canals.

Then they can appear Colic, with severe pain in the upper right part of the abdomen that can radiate to the back or shoulder, sometimes accompanied by nausea, vomiting and jaundice, and sometimes intolerance to fats, coffee and cold drinks.

In case of very strong and painful colic it is usually necessary remove the gallbladder. If you have stones but they do not cause discomfort, you can achieve great benefits with natural therapies.

It is recommended the infusion of half a teaspoon of turmeric in boiling water. Let stand for five minutes, strain and drink hot in small sips. From 2 to 3 cups daily, several weeks.

In acute colic, one can resort to homeopathic medicines Colocynthis and Magnesium phosphoricum acidum. Schüssler’s salt No. 7 (Magnesium phosphoricum) is recommended as a painkiller (10 tablets are dissolved in hot water and taken in small sips).