Barberry Root has a reputation for supporting liver function. Its berberine content, a bitter alkaloid, stimulates the secretion and flow of bile that eases liver congestion, and in times past, it was always used to curb jaundice and biliousness. Barberry is also thought to be effective in treating inflamed gallbladder and gallstones that are often associated with excess dietary fats. Barberry is antiseptic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory and is said to be extremely effective for fighting bacterial infection. As a bitter, stomachic tonic, Barberry helps to regulate the digestive process. It is believed that Barberry is an excellent hangover remedy. It stimulates the liver into action and helps eradicate the tension headache that often accompanies a hangover by expanding the blood vessels that have been constricted by alcohol and thereby increasing blood circulation. (Click here for more information on Barberry Root)
Dandelion Root is considered a fine liver tonic that is also said to help the gallbladder, pancreas, and spleen (enlargement). It affects all forms of secretion and excretion from the body and is a gentle cleansing agent with almost a specific affinity for the liver and modifies and increases the secretions, removing excess water from the body in edemous conditions that result from liver problems. Herbal healers use Dandelion to strengthen the liver and treat liver disorders. The herb is thought to promote the flow of bile and ease such conditions as hepatitis, chronic inflammation of the liver, jaundice (caused by excess bile in the blood), and liver enlargement. By promoting the flow of bile from the liver, Dandelion is said to be effective when used in the first stages of cirrhosis of the liver. (Click here for more information on Dandelion Root)
Milk Thistle is known to be extraordinarily useful as a tonic to safeguard the liver from all types of liver disorders. As a free-radical scavenger it protects the liver from toxins and pollutants by preventing free radical damage, and it also stimulates the production of new liver cells. It is considered a remarkable herb for treating cirrhosis, alcoholic poisoning, jaundice, fatty liver, hepatitis, and viral hepatitis. A flavonoid complex (silymarin) stimulates liver protein creation, enabling the organ to produce new liver cells and replace the old ones damaged by hepatitis infection or other toxins. (Click here for more information on Milk Thistle)
Oregon Grape Root is probably unequalled as a corrector of liver secretions. The root purifies the blood and cleanses the liver by stimulating bile flow and releasing toxins. Some American herbalists believe that while strengthening the liver, it will also alleviate liver-related symptoms, such as jaundice, headache, toxic blood, poor digestion and gallbladder complaints. Oregon Grape helps the liver to metabolize wastes and toxins and has been said to be useful in the treatment of chronic hepatitis-B. (Click here for more information on Oregon Grape Root)
Schisandra Berry is considered a cholagogue, or substance that increases the production of bile in the liver and delivers it to the gastrointestinal tract. It is believed to protect against the progression of cirrhosis into liver cancer and also protect the liver from chemical damage, particularly from chemicals that have to be activated by the liver to become poisonous, such as carbon tetrachloride. In addition, laboratory studies have demonstrated its ability to make the enzyme, glutathione peroxidase, which deactivates several kinds of toxic free radicals that attack the outer membranes of liver cells. This substance is believed to offset damage done to the liver by chronic viral hepatitis, alchohol and HIV/AIDS. Schisandra contains lignin compounds that are said to lower high levels of glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) in the blood, which is an indication of hepatitis. Another constituent in Schisandra, gomison-A, blocks the production of inflammation-inducing leukotrienes. Gomison-A helps to prevent liver inflammation and tissue destruction (without compromising the immune systems ability to fight the underlying infection). This substance also helps to stimulate the growth of healthy liver tissue and helps to hasten recovery after liver surgery. (Click here for more information on Schisandra Berry)
Turmeric Root is considered vital therapy for the liver. In ancient Ayurvedic medicine, the herb was a key therapy for good liver health, and in traditional Chinese medicine, Turmeric is still used regularly to treat liver and gallbladder problems. Today's research claims that this warming herb protects liver cells, and its curcumin content is beneficial for treating liver disease and may reverse liver damage caused by very excessive iron consumption and alcohol. Turmeric is known to increase bile production and boost the production of enzymes that digest sugar and fat and, thereby, may inhibit cholesterol from crystallizing into gallstones. (Click here for more information on Turmeric Root)
Burdock Root is thought to help heal a damaged liver and protect it from further damage. It is also thought to promote the flow and release of bile, which not only helps to cleanse the liver, but it also aids the digestive process. The mucilage, "bitter" and inulin content in Burdock also helps to support good digestion, as well as soothe the digestive tract and help many stomach conditions. Burdock may be nature's best blood purifier and "alterative," which has numerous beneficial effects on the body, helping to alleviate many ailments. As an "alterative," Burdock is considered an agent that stimulates the efficient removal of waste products, and it is said to cleanse and eliminate long-term impurities from the blood very rapidly through its action on both the liver and kidneys. It helps to clear the blood of harmful acids due to calcification deposits, and overburdened blood is a major factor behind arthritis, fevers, infections and skin diseases. (Click here for more information on Burdock Root)
Cascara Sagrada is believed to be beneficial for treating liver disorders, such as jaundice, etc. It is also thought to help a sluggish gallbladder by increasing the flow of bile and has been said to help the body rid itself of gallstones. (Click here for more information on Cascara Sagrada)
Gentian is considered to be an overall tonic and has been useful in treating those in a state of exhaustion from chronic disease or in cases of general debility. Herbalists have also used Gentian to help calm hysteria, decrease fever, treat jaundice, and help liver malfunction. (Click here for more information on Gentian)
Licorice Root is commonly used by modern herbalists for its ability to support adrenal function and treat adrenal insufficiencies, including hypoglycemia and Addison's disease. It is also used to purify the liver, the body's detoxification center, helping its defenses against liver diseases, such as cirrhosis and hepatitis. (Click here for more information on Licorice Root)
Rhubarb Root (also called Chinese or Turkey Rhubarb Root) has been used for over two thousand years as a mild, yet effective, laxative. Rhubarb Root is considered an "alterative" or agent that cleanses the system and stimulates the efficient removal of waste products from the body. As such, it not only cleanses the intestinal tract and blood, but it is also thought to cleanse the liver by encouraging bile flow. The herb is said to enhance gallbladder function and relieve both liver and gallbladder complaints by releasing an accumulation of toxins. As a result, it is believed that the liver is cleansed and chronic liver problems are improved. (Click here for more information on Rhubarb Root)
Wild Yam is considered a liver cleaner that has been used for stagnation of the liver and gallbladder and has sometimes been called one of the best natural relievers of jaundice, bilious colic, and nausea. Its hepatic qualities are thought to support and stimulate the liver, gallbladder, and spleen and increase the flow of bile (which is not only good for the liver, but also further supports good digestion). (Click here for more information on Wild Yam)
Yellow Dock Root has been known for centuries as an outstanding blood purifier. Its alterative properties help the cleansing process by stimulating the efficient removal of waste products from the system and gradually converting an unhealthy condition to a healthy one. As a cholagogue, Yellow Dock helps to stimulate bile flow in the liver, improving liver and gallbladder function, and cleansing impurities from the blood. This application has made it a valuable treatment for hepatitis, bilious complaints, jaundice and liver disease. (Click here for more information on Yellow Dock Root)
Gotu Kola's astringent qualities help to detoxify the body by drawing fluid from tissues. It promotes urination, helps to eliminate excess fluid from the body, and is effective in lowering fever. As an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, Gotu Kola has been used to treat syphilis, tuberculosis, rheumatism, and alleviate bowel complaints. In some studies, patients with chronic liver disease improved, and it has long been used to treat jaundice. (Click here for more information on Gotu Kola)
Cayenne is called a carrier or catalyst herb that increases the efficacy of almost every other herb or herbal combination. Cayenne speeds up the metabolism of fat and may reduce weight gain due to a high fat diet by increasing the liver enzymes accountable for fat metabolism and decreases fat deposits in the liver caused by a high fat diet. It provides natural heat, and its ingredient, capsaicin, is a strong pain-relieving agent that alleviates the joint pain of arthritis, rheumatism, muscle spasms, cramps, and bowel pain. Cayenne/Capsicum also triggers the release of endorphins (chemicals that relieve pain) by the brain. (Click here for more information on Cayenne)
Peppermint is a stimulant that acts more powerfully on the system than any liquor, quickly diffusing through the system and bringing back to the body its natural warmth and glow. Peppermint is a "nervine" that eases nervous agitation and anxiety. It has a calming effect on the entire body and can help soothe a nagging cough. Peppermint may help treat insomnia, and people with headache have found Peppermint effective when they accompany it with a short nap. Peppermint also promotes good digestion and improves the appetite. (Click here for more information on Peppermint Leaf)
