Herbal Medicine for Liver Health

The Importance of Liver Health

The liver is involved in over 500 vital functions of the body. The liver helps us manage our blood sugar, produce blood clotting factors, process hormones, detoxify foreign substances, and store nutrients.

When the liver is damaged, it has the ability to regenerate itself, unlike other organs in the body. This means that if we remove whatever is damaging our liver (alcohol, sugar, toxins), it can replace damaged tissue with healthy cells, starting in as little as a few days.

Treating the liver can lead to great improvements in skin health, digestive health, blood sugar management, and hormonal issues like PMS or menopausal symptoms. Herbal medicines offer a wide range of benefits for the liver.

Burdock (Arctium lappa)

Burdock (Arctium lappa) is one of my favorite herbs for liver and skin health. Burdock is used in both western and Chinese herbal medicine to nourish the liver, optimize its function, and improve detoxification.

Burdock root, which can be used as medicine or eaten as food, helps our bodies move blood and lymph and promotes the removal of foreign substances and waste products from the liver, kidneys, and skin. Energetically, burdock is cooling so it is especially helpful for people like me who tend to run hot, are irritable, or quick-tempered.

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinalis)

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinalis) is one of nature’s most powerful liver remedies. While the leaves are nutritive, diuretic, and support the kidneys, the roots are helpful for treating liver conditions.

Dandelion root tends to help people who are angry, irritable, or agitated and have a history of exposure to substances that might harm or stress the liver like alcohol, sugars, environmental toxins, or excess hormones. That sounds like a lot of us. Taken with the leaves, which support the kidneys, dandelion is a powerful ally for helping our bodies process and eliminate toxins and waste.

Be careful when foraging for dandelion. Never harvest from roadsides, parking lots, or lawns treated with pesticides or herbicides.

Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum)

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a super star herb for liver health. Milk thistle contains silymarin, a compound that has shown numerous beneficial effects including protecting the liver, improving cirrhosis and hepatitis, and facilitating detoxification.

Silymarin supports detoxification by preventing the depletion of glutathione, an important antioxidant compound that helps us detox. In addition to preventing depletion, silymarin may also increase the level of glutathione in the liver. Keeping our liver supported during times of detoxification is important for optimizing its function.

Artichoke (Cynara scolymus)

Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) leaves contain cynarin, a bitter constituent that has shown promise as a liver protective and cholesterol-lowering agent. These benefits are especially beneficial for people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

NAFLD may affect up to 34% of adults in the United States. NAFLD is related to dietary patterns high in refined carbohydrates and processed fats. People with bigger bodies and those with diabetes are at increased risk of developing NAFLD.

While the concentration of cynarin is higher in the leaves, artichokes as a food are also good for the liver. They contain flavonoids and antioxidants like vitamin C, which can help support the many processes of the liver.

My Approach to Herbal Medicine

Herbs can be powerful tools for helping us optimize our physical and mental health. We have access to a wide variety of plant medicines in our spice cabinets, gardens, and grocery stores. I enjoy working with clients to incorporate the healing power of herbs into their daily lives in a safe, effective way. I practice western herbalism but respectfully incorporate plants from other healing traditions, such as Chinese medicine and Ayurveda, into my practice. I utilize herbs in many forms, including teas, tinctures, and in dilutions such as UNDA remedies and flower essences for more gentle effects.

My top priority is keeping my clients safe. Herbs and other natural products are often marketed as safe or more effective alternatives to prescription drugs. Unfortunately, ‘natural’ does not equal ‘safe.’ Using supplements or herbs without a healthcare provider’s guidance can lead to dangerous interactions with conventional pharmaceutical drugs. I work with my clients to make sure they are educated about the safe and effective use of evidence-informed natural therapies.

Always talk to a qualified healthcare provider, naturopathic doctor, or herbalist before starting any new herbal medicines or supplements.

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References

Panahi Y, Kianpour P, Mohtashami R, et al. Efficacy of artichoke leaf extract in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A pilot double-blind randomized controlled trial. Phytother Res. 2018;32(7):1382-1387. doi:10.1002/ptr.6073
Tilgner S. Herbal Medicine: from the Heart of the Earth. Creswell, OR: Wise Acres; 2009.
Vargas-Mendoza N, Madrigal-Santillán E, Morales-González A, et al. Hepatoprotective effect of silymarin. World J Hepatol. 2014;6(3):144-149. doi:10.4254/wjh.v6.i3.144