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Natural treatments and home remedies for cirrhosis

Cirrhosis of the liver is a chronic disease that is happening as a result of damage to the liver over several years. This is a progressive disease in which healthy liver tissue is destroyed and replaced by scar tissue and it is resulting in poor liver functioning.

The main causes of this condition are viral hepatitis B and C, fatty liver disease associated with obesity and diabetes, and long-standing alcohol abuse. Men who consume 3 – 4 alcoholic drinks and women who consume 2 – 3 alcoholic drinks per day are having an increased risk of getting cirrhosis.

Cirrhosis can also be caused by cystic fibrosis, repeated bouts of heart failure with liver congestion, hemochromatosis (iron buildup in the body), toxic hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, and biliary cirrhosis. If the cirrhosis is mild, then your liver makes repair and continues to function properly but when this disease progresses and more scar tissue forms, then the damage becomes irreparable. [1]

The most common symptoms of cirrhosis are spider-like blood vessels under the skin, a tendency to bleed and bruise more easily, and the appearance of small, muscle cramps, edema, jaundice, itchy skin, weight loss, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, and loss of appetite. In the early stages, there can be only a few symptoms and when this disease is developing, then there are appearing more symptoms. There is no known cure for this disease. When you treat this disease, then it is very important to determine the underlying cause for it. This treatment is usually aimed at preventing further liver damage and reducing complications. Talk with your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment of this condition. You should eat a balanced and nutritious diet. Also, you should limit your salt and protein intake. You should opt for vegetable protein instead of animal protein. You should stay away from junk and processed foods because they are not good for the health of your liver.

10 Here are some natural cures for cirrhosis:

Schisandra

This herb is used in traditional Chinese medicine to help regenerate liver tissues, protect liver cells from further damage and cleanse the liver. There are some studies in which is said that this natural cure can help you to protect against drug-related liver damage [2]. Also, there is another option in which is said that this herb in a combination with the astragalus root has positive effects which can help you to improve portal hypertension in patients who are suffering from cirrhosis of the liver. You can take astragalus root and Schisandra in supplement form. You should talk with your doctor about the proper dosage.

Picrorhiza

You can use picrorhiza kurrora as your natural treatment for cirrhosis of the liver, especially when this condition is caused by viral hepatitis. It improves liver functioning, promotes the secretion of bile juices and it reduces oxidative stress [3]. Also, it can stimulate appetite. It acts as a powerful laxative. You should mix together one tablespoon of raw honey and one tablespoon of powdered root. You should consume this natural cure three times per day for a period of one month. When you suffer from constipation, then you should mix twice the amount of this herb and honey and you should take this natural cure along with a cup of warm water three to four times per day.

Eclipta

You can use the juice of all parts of the eclipta alba plant as your natural treatment for liver problems [4]. The juice of its leaves is used as a natural treatment for cirrhosis of the liver and hepatitis. You should extract the juice from the leaves of the eclipta. You should mix one teaspoon of this juice with one teaspoon of raw honey. You should consume this natural mixture three times per day for a period of one month.

Papaya seeds

There are some studies in which is said that papaya seeds can be used as a natural treatment for cirrhosis of the liver because it is aiding liver detoxification [5]. You should grind some fresh papaya seeds to extract one tablespoon of juice. You should add ten drops of lemon juice to it. You should drink this natural cure once or two times per day for a period of one month.

cirrhosis

Milk thistle

This is also a very effective home remedy for cirrhosis. This natural cure will not reverse the existing liver damage but it can help you to stay protected against further damage [6]. It has silibinin which is an active ingredient. This component has strong antioxidant properties. Also, it has detoxifying and hepatoprotective effects. There are some studies in which is said that this natural cure can help people who suffer from the alcohol-related liver disease but there should be done a lot more studies in the feature on this topic. You can find this natural cure in form of tincture, capsules, and liquid extract. You should talk with your doctor about the proper dosage and if this natural cure can help you. This natural cure is not recommended for people who suffer from complications such as ascites or variceal bleeding due to cirrhosis. People who have a history of hormone-related conditions should not use milk thistle as their natural treatment.

Quit drinking

You should quit drinking even if your cirrhosis is not caused by this factor. Alcohol is harming liver cells which is making this condition worse. Abstaining can help halt the progression of the disease. Also, you should quit alcohol because this is highly recommended for alcohol-induced fatty liver disease and alcoholic hepatitis. There was one study in which was illustrated the significance of abstinence from alcohol as an important factor which is determining survival even in cases of relatively severe alcohol-related cirrhosis. It is the best idea for you to quit drinking alcohol to prevent the complications of withdrawal with a help of medical personnel. [1]

Vitamin C

This vitamin has protective effects against liver oxidative damage. Also, it can prevent cirrhosis and fatty buildup. You should drink two tablespoons of fresh amla juice or Indian gooseberry three times per day for a period of 15 – 20 days. Also, you should add foods that are rich in Vitamin C such as oranges, lemons, and blackberries to your diet. [7]

Green tea

Green tea has antioxidants that can help you to reduce oxidative stress which initiates cirrhosis of tissues [8]. Also, it has protective effects against liver disease. Green tea has antiviral properties which can help you to fight viral hepatitis. This home remedy is also beneficial for your overall health. In one cup of hot water, you should add one teaspoon of green tea powder (you can also add one green tea bag if you do not have green tea powder). You should allow this natural cure to steep for 5 minutes. Then, you should strain it. If you are using a green tea bag, then you should just remove the bag from the water. You should add a small amount of raw honey to this natural cure because this will sweeten it. You should drink this tea three times per day on a regular basis.

Acupuncture

This natural treatment can give you relief from the discomfort which is caused by cirrhosis of the liver. Also, this natural treatment can help you to quit drinking. There are some studies that were done in China and it was said that acupuncture combined with a Chinese herbal decoction and western medicine can help you to improve the clinical symptoms of compensated liver cirrhosis better than a simple western medicine [9]. You should get the acupuncture treatment done by an expert. There are several acupoints for treating this condition but these acupoints are used depending on the clinical manifestations and the symptoms which are specific to your case.

Antioxidants

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can help you to treat cirrhosis of the liver but also there are other antioxidants that can help you to treat this condition. Vitamin E can help you to reduce scar tissue production and also it aids in the regeneration of the liver cells. There are some studies in which is said that the antioxidants such as Vitamin E and selenium can help you to treat primary biliary cirrhosis. You should add Brazil nuts, garlic, artichoke, carrots, spinach, and berries to your diet. Also, you should add cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kale, and broccoli to your diet because they will aid in liver detoxification. Also, you should drink one to two glasses of raw vegetable juice every day. [10]

References:

[1] Simpson RF, Hermon C, Liu B, et al. Alcohol drinking patterns and liver cirrhosis risk: analysis of the prospective UK Million Women Study. The Lancet. 2019;4(1):PE41-E48.

[2] Park HJ, Lee SJ, Song Y, et al. Schisandra chinensis prevents alcohol-induced fatty liver disease in rats. Journal of Medicinal Food. 2014;17(1):103-10.

[3] Shetty SN, Mengi S, Vaidya R, Vaidya ADB. A study of standardized extracts of Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth in experimental nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine. 2010;1(3):203-210.

[4] Yadav NK, Arya RK, Dev K, et al. Alcoholic extract of Eclipta alba shows in vitro antioxidant and anticancer activity without exhibiting toxicological effects. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity. 2017;2017:9094641.

[5] Naggayi M, Mukiibi N, Iliya E. The protective effects of aqueous extract of Carica papaya seeds in paracetamol induced nephrotoxicity in male wistar rats. African Health Sciences. 2015;15(2):598-605.

[6] Mulrow C, Lawrence V, Jacobs B, et al. Milk thistle: Effects on liver disease and cirrhosis and clinical adverse effects: Summary. AHRQ Evidence Report Summaries. Retrieved from www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK11896/

[7] Beattie AD, Sherlock S. Ascorbic acid deficiency in liver disease. Gut. 1976;17(8):571-75.

[8] Jin X, Zheng RH, Li YM. Green tea consumption and liver disease: a systematic review. Liver International. 2008;28(7):990-6.

[9] Han J, Gu YJ. Observation on therapeutic effect of acupuncture combined with Chinese herbal decoction on compensated liver cirrhosis. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2009;12:970-2.

[10] Chacko BK, Srivastava A, Johnson M, et al. The Mitochondria-targeted ubiquinone MitoQ decreases ethanol-dependent micro and macro hepatosteatosis. Hepatology. 2011;54(1):153-63.

Vijila
Vijila
Dr. Emil Sarsath (aka) Vijila, a licensed naturopathic doctor (BSMS) who always ensures his patients receive compassionate, and individualized care. He has extensive experience in primary care, digestive health, mental health, nervous system disorder and more.Area of Expertise – Naturopathic Medicine, Whole Foods-based Nutrition, Siddha, Panchakarma.She is always available through [email protected]

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