Top 7 Home Remedies to Get Rid of Jaundice
About Jaundice
Jaundice is a condition which causes the yellowing of the white part of the eyes and the skin, and also makes the body fluids yellowish. The occurrence of jaundice is generally an indication of some problem with the liver. Jaundice results from the build-up of a waste material called ‘bilirubin’ in the blood. Bilirubin is the yellow-orange bile pigment which is formed by the breakdown of the old and damaged Red Blood Cells in the body.
Bilirubin is typically filtered out from the bloodstream by the liver, similar to most of the other naturally-occurring waste products. However, if the liver fails to process bilirubin properly, it can get accumulated in the body and lead to jaundice.
Generally, jaundice occurs in newborn babies, but adults can also be affected by the disease because of certain underlying health conditions, including blood disorders, Hepatitis (A, B, C, D, and E), Bile duct obstruction, Cirrhosis, Liver cancer, Thalassemia, Pancreatic cancer, Alcoholic liver disease, Gallstones, and Sickle cell anaemia, among a few others. Jaundice can also be caused by infections, and the use of certain drugs. The most common symptom of jaundice is yellowing of the skin, eyes, tongue and urine. Depending on the underlying cause, other symptoms may include fatigue, headache, fever, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, abdominal pain, skin itching and pale-coloured stools.
Top 7 Home Remedies to Get Rid of Jaundice
The occurrence of Jaundice is characteristically an indication of liver, gallbladder or blood disorder. Hence, the treatment of the disease is largely dependent on the management of the underlying condition which causes it. For treating Jaundice in a safe and natural manner, there are some time-tested home remedies which can stimulate the functioning of the liver and increase the flow of bile in the bile duct. The top 7 home remedies which can prove to be extremely effective in managing Jaundice are
1. Radish
The use of radishes as well as radish leaves is believed to be an excellent home remedy for jaundice because they can improve liver functioning. Radish has detoxifying properties, and it can purify the blood and eliminate bilirubin and other waste materials/toxins.
People suffering from jaundice are advised to consume fresh radishes — particularly black radishes, if possible — every morning, in salad or soup, for around 15 days. Alternatively, they can also take one glass of freshly-extracted juice of radish leaves, two times a day, for nearly 10 days.
2. Sugarcane
For fast recovery from jaundice, the use of sugarcane is also very beneficial. Since jaundice leads to a sudden drop in glucose level and results in persistent fatigue or low energy, the intake of sugarcane can perk up the patient’s energy levels significantly. Moreover, the alkaline nature of sugarcane can keep the acids levels low in the body and also keep it hydrated.
Patients affected by jaundice should take sugarcane juice, with juice of half a lemon added to it, 2-3 times a day, for around three weeks.
3. Ginger
Jaundice can also be treated effectively at home with the use of ginger. Ginger is considered a natural detoxifier, and has the ability to protect the liver from a number of ailments, along with ensuring its normal and smooth functioning.
To recover quickly from jaundice, patients should consume one-half teaspoon of juice extracted from a small ginger piece, with one teaspoon of mint juice, one teaspoon of lime juice, and one tablespoon of honey added to it. This mixture should be taken 3-4 times a day, for nearly two weeks.
4. Lemon
The proven liver-healing actions of lemons make them a wonderful home remedy for treating jaundice. The diuretic nature of lemons is helpful in increasing the production of urine, thereby helping the body in flushing out waste products like bilirubin. Furthermore, lemons are also known for their capability to stimulate bile production by the liver and improve the absorption of minerals.
For treating jaundice at home, patients should add the juice extracted from half a lemon to one glass of water, and drink it 3-4 times a day, for nearly 15 days. Alternatively, they can steep 8-10 lemon leaves in boiling water for nearly 5 minutes, and then stain and consume the water. This should be done 2 times a day for a few weeks.
5. Carrot
Carrots are abundant in beta-carotene that gets converted by the body into a very beneficial nutrient — Vitamin A — which can ensure good health of the immune system and promote faster recovery from diseases like jaundice. Carrots essentially cleanse the liver and repair any damage to the organ.
People suffering from jaundice should increase their daily intake of carrots, in the form of salad or in boiled/pureed form. Another simple way of consuming carrots is to drink one glass of carrot juice daily.
6. Tomatoes
The presence of ‘lycopene’ pigment in tomatoes, in abundant amounts, reduces the damage to the liver. Tomato intake is beneficial for Jaundice patients because its proven detoxifying properties give the body the capability to eliminate harmful toxins.
Raw tomatoes can either be added to the patient’s daily diet by using them in salads and other dishes. Alternatively, one glass of tomato juice should be taken in the morning on empty stomach. To prepare the juice, five fresh tomatoes should be boiled in two cups of water for 10-15 minutes, and juice should be extracted after removing their skin and blending them. A pinch of salt and pepper can be added to the juice to enhance its taste.
7. Almonds
Almonds contain several liver-supporting nutrients including riboflavin, fibre, calcium, iron and magnesium. The use of almonds can promote healthy functioning of the liver, and can also be helpful in eliminating waste materials from the blood and fighting different types of infections.
For best results in jaundice, around 10 almonds should be soaked overnight in water, together with 3 dried dates and 3 small cardamoms. In the morning, the skin of the almonds and the seeds of the dates should be removed. The three soaked ingredients should then be blended to form a fine paste, to which 2 teaspoons of sugar and one teaspoon of butter should be added. This mixture should be taken once a day, for two weeks.
Conclusion
The home remedies discussed above can be very useful in speeding up the healing process for jaundice patients. Along with using these remedies, it is also advised that jaundice patients should take adequate rest, get plenty of fresh air, and do some light exercises to recover fast from the disease.
