Herbal Remedies For Chronic Liver Disorders
Abstract
As per modern medicine science, almost every disease is managed symptomatically and liver disorders are one of them. But as we studied, allopathic medicines came up with a bundle of adverse effects. So here the question arises: what should we do now? The answer is Ayurveda! Ayurveda is an ancient medicine science which gives us holistic healing with herbs and herbal formulations. Liver disorders are one of them. Ayurveda gives wonderful results in liver disorders with herbs and herbal formulations. Now let’s discuss liver disorders and its Ayurvedic aspect and herbal remedies for chronic liver disorders in detail.
Introduction
Liver disorders are the disorders that affect the functions of the liver. The prevalence of Liver disorders nowadays is increasing day by day due to bad eating habits and bad lifestyles. This is the second largest organ in our body and helps to digest food and remove toxins from the body and maintains the metabolism in the body. This organ is found in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen and is an accessory digestive organ that helps in the production of bile for the breakdown of fats. Liver is the only organ which regenerates itself after some damage. But if a person continuously does those things which hamper the liver functions then the regeneration power of the liver is lost. Due to sedentary lifestyle and also increasing trend of packed food items affect our liver the most. These disorders are also known as hepatic disorders and there are many types of liver diseases which affect the functions of the liver.
Ayurvedic Aspect For Chronic Liver Disorders
In Ayurveda, the liver is known as Yakrit and any abnormality in yakrit is called as yakrit roga. Pitta is the predominant dosha (humor) of the liver. Most disorders of the liver are aggravated by the vitiated pitta dosha. Mandagni (low digestive fire) and malsanchay (constipation) are the causative factors of yakrit roga. In liver disorders, the enzymatic activity of the liver is imbalanced and it will further hinder the digestion of the patient and cause mandagni. Due to malsanchay, pitta dosha is elevated in the body. These are the diseases of the yakrit mentioned by our acharya’s in their respected texts such as Kamala (Jaundice), Kumbh Kamla (liver cirrhosis), Halimaka, Yakrit vidradhi (Hydatid cyst), Yakrit Vridhi (Hepatomegaly), Yakritodara (cirrhosis of liver), Yakritarbuda (liver tumor).
So we can correlate chronic liver disease with kumbha kamla. When the liver disorders become chronic in nature then imbalanced pitta dosha affects the mansa dhatu (muscular tissue) and may lead to the dryness and roughness in the body and causes kumbhakamla. The causes of this disease are excessive consumption of food items that are hot, saline, acidic, alkaline, contaminated, Intake of rough, antagonistic and unfavourable food, Improper diet plan after detoxification therapy, Suppression of natural urges, Production of Aama (Endotoxins), Overeating. Due to these causes a patient may experience dark yellow coloured urine and stool, swelling in feet and abdomen, roughness and dryness of skin and pain in joints.
Etiology/Causes
Liver disorders have many causes. Some of the most common causes of liver disorders are:
- Viral hepatitis
- Alcohol abuse
- Non alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Use of cetain medicines
- Exposure to toxic substances
- Parasite infections
- Hereditary
Clinical Features/Signs And Symptoms
Liver disorders do not always have noticeable signs and symptoms. But if signs and symptoms do occur, then those are:
- Jaundice
- Abdominal pain
- Abdominal distension
- Swelling in legs and ankles
- Ascites
- Loss of appetite
- Chronic fatigue
- Tendency to bruise easily
- Itchy skin
- Clubbing
- Thrombocytopenia
- Anaemia
- Constipation
Risk Factors
The factors that may increase the risk of liver disorders are:
- Heavy alcohol use
- Obesity
- Type 2 diabetes
- Family history
Diagnosis
It is very important to find the cause of liver disorders in guiding the proper treatment. A doctor will start with proper medical history and thorough examination. Some of the tests that doctors will suggest in liver disorders are:is date. Even they do not have permanent solution for chronic liver disorders. But in our Ayurveda
- Blood test: A group of blood tests should be done such as Liver function test, complete blood count, etc.
- Imaging tests: An ultrasound, CT scan and MRI are very beneficial in finding the echotexture of the liver.
- Liver biopsy: This is used to rule out the liver damage.
Ayurvedic Treatment For Liver Disorders
In modern science, there are many diseases that have no cure till there is no place for No word. Our Ayurveda treats diseases, even chronic diseases too from their root cause. In Ayurveda, we can manage chronic liver disorders from samshodhan chikitsa (detoxification therapy), samshaman chikitsa (paliative therapy), Pathya-apathya ahara and vihara (favourable-unfavourable diet and lifestyle) and yogasana.
Samshodhana Chikitsa: This is the treatment protocol that is used for the detoxification of the body. These procedures detoxify the vitiated doshas in the body and also this depends on patient to patient. For liver disorders, Virechana (Induce purgation) and vasti (Enema) are the best choice of treatment.
Samshaman Chikitsa: The procedure in which various herbal or herbo-mineral formulations are used in the treatment of chronic liver disorders. Some of the classical Ayurvedic formulations mentioned in ancient Ayurvedic texts are:
Rasa/Bhasma/Pishti
- Ichhabhedi rasa
- Jalodarari rasa
- Trilokya sunder rasa
- Rasraj rasa
- Plihantak rasa
- Loknath rasa
- Narach rasa
Vati
- Bhedani vati
- Arogyavardhini vati
- Abhya vati
- Agnitundi vati
- Ksharavatika
Churna (powders)
- Narayana churna
- Patoladya churna
- Punarnavadi churna
- Rohitakadya churna
- Vajrakshar
- Agnimukh lavana
Kwath
- Punarnavashtka kwath
- Punarnavadi kwath
- Dashmuladya kwath
- Rohitkabhya kwath
- Harityakdi kwath
Asava/Arishta
- Abhyarishta
- Lohasva
- Punarnavarishta
- Punaranavasva
- Dashmoolarishta
Ghrit/Tail
- Narach ghrit
- Chitraka ghritam
- Dashmoola shatpala ghrit
- Rason tail
- Pippali ghrit
Rasayan
- Vardhmana pippali rasayana is very effective in liver disorders
Pathya and apathya Ahara (favorable and unfavorable diet): The balanced diet is mentioned by our Acharya’s as:
Pathya
- Red rice
- Wheat
- Meat of tropical animals
- Cow milk
- Honey
- Ghee
- Buttermilk
- Fresh vegetables
- Salad
- Dry fruits
- Pulses soup
- Hunja tea
Apathya
- Spinach
- Hot and heavy food items
- Too salty food items
- Unclean food
- Sesame
- Packed food items
- Refined oil food items
- White sugar
- Bakery items
- Non-veg food items
- Excess use of rice and wheat
Pathya and apathya Vihara (favorable and unfavorable lifestyle): The proper lifestyle that is followed by the liver disease patient is:
Pathya
- Virechana (Purgation)
- Fasting
- Dhumapana (Medicated smoking)
- Anjana (medicated kajala)
- Anuvasna vasti (non-unctuous Enema)
- Agnikarma
- Morning and evening walk
Apathya
- Snehana (oil massage)
- Jalapana (drinking excessive water)
- Vamana (induced vomiting)
- Divya swapana (day sleep)
- Vyayama (excessive exercise)
- Ati methun (too much sexual intercourse)
Yogasana
Yoga plays a very important role in maintaining the health of the person. Patients of liver disorders can do these following yogasnas and pranayamas:
- Vajarasana (after meal)
- Gomukhasana
- Paschimotasana
- Bhujangasana
- Chakrasana
- Halasna
- Suryanamshkar
Pranayamas
- Kapalabhati
- Bhastrika
- Agnisar
Herbal Remedies For Liver Disorders
Planet Ayurveda is a leading herbal company that manufactures various herbal products. These products are made from the extracts of potent herbs. These are made by using the ancient time tested formulas and also made under the guidance of expert Ayurvedic doctors.
- Echinacea Capsules
- Yakrit Plihantak Churna
- Phyllanthus Niruri
- Liver Detox Formula
Products description
1. Echinacea Capsules
This is a natural powerful anti-viral and anti-bacterial. This is a single herbal formulation made from the standardized extracts of Echinacea (Andrographis paniculata). This is an effective herb for liver disorders. It helps the liver cells to rejuvenate itself. This herb works as an immune stimulant and immune booster. It works effectively in the cases of viral and bacterial infections and diseases. This herb is also beneficial in skin problems, digestive problems, cardiac problems, etc.
Dosage: 1 capsule twice a day after meals with plain water.
2. Yakrit Plihantak Churna
This is a herbal powder that improves liver functions naturally. This formulation is made from the herbs like Bhumiamla (Phyllanthus niruri), Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), Katuki (Picrorhiza kurroa), Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), Makoy (Solanum indicum), Sharpunkha (Tephrosia purpurea), etc. These herbs help the liver to clear out the toxins from the body and also remove the excessive fat from the liver which is also the cause of liver disorders. This powder helps the liver to regenerate the damaged liver cells and improves the functioning of the liver.
Dosage: 1 teaspoonful twice a day after meals with lukewarm water.
3. Phyllanthus Niruri
This is the best herb for managing any kind of liver disorders. The capsules are made from the standardized extracts of Bhumiamla (Phyllanthus niruri). This herb is very effective in liver disorders because it has anti-hepatotoxic properties. It clears out the toxins from the body. This herb is also very beneficial in treating Viral hepatitis as it has anti-viral properties. This acts wonderfully in gallstones and kidney stones.
Dosage: 1 capsule twice a day after meals with plain water.
4. Liver Detox Formula
This is a poly herbal formulation. This herbal formulation acts effectively in the detoxification of the liver. This formulation is made from the herbs like katuki (Picrorhiza kurroa), punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), makoy (Solanum nigrum), Kasni (Cichorium intybus), etc. This is an effective herbal supplement for natural liver detoxification. It helps in pacifying the pitta dosha which is the root cause of liver disorders. It leads to proper digestion and removes the Aama (Endotoxins) from the body.
Dosage: 1 capsule twice a day after meals with plain water.
Conclusion
At last we concluded that the liver disorders hamper the overall health of the person. This is important to diagnose the liver disorder to prevent complications and the mortality rate or prognosis of liver disease. So it is very important to take Ayurvedic treatment as soon as the diagnosis is made. The herbal remedies of Planet Ayurveda are very effective in treating liver disorders as they are free from chemicals and preservatives and also Ayurvedic herbs show best results in treating or managing end stage liver diseases. For more query you can visit www.planetayurveda.com
