Many people around the world live with conditions that affect the liver, including cirrhosis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), alcoholic liver disease, liver cancer, liver failure, and hepatitis.
Every year, liver disease accounts for nearly
Risk factors for liver disease include heavy alcohol intake, high blood sugar levels, obesity, high blood pressure, viruses, elevated triglyceride and cholesterol levels, and more.
Liver disease is treated in a number of ways, including medication, nutritional therapy, immunotherapy, lifestyle change, surgical resection, and even liver transplant in end stage liver disease.
In addition to standard treatments, many people turn to alternative therapies, including herbal supplements, in hopes of improving and protecting their liver health. In fact,
Here are the 10 best herbs that have been shown to improve liver health.
An important note
Many herbs, including some on this list, may be unsafe for those with certain liver conditions.
Some herbs have been connected to liver damage and other complications, which is why it’s critical to check with your healthcare provider before adding any herbal supplements, including the ones on this list, to your diet.
Silymarin, often called milk thistle, consists of a group of compounds extracted from milk thistle (Silybum marianum) seeds, including silybin, silychristin, and silydianin.
Milk thistle has been used for
It has been suggested that silymarin has strong antioxidant effects and may help promote liver cell regeneration, reduce inflammation, and benefit those with liver disease. However, results from
For example,
Yet,
Regardless, silymarin is considered safe and has not been associated with adverse side effects, even when used at high doses.
Ginseng is a popular herbal supplement known for its powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
A number of
What’s more, some
For example, a
Levels of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), another marker for liver damage, were also reduced significantly.
Although these results are promising, more research investigating the effects of ginseng on liver health is needed.
When used on its own, ginseng is thought to be relatively safe for liver health. However, ginseng has the potential to react with medications, which can lead to liver injury and other potentially dangerous side effects.
Although it isn’t technically an herb, green tea and its main polyphenol compound epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) are often included in
Some studies have found that supplementing with green tea extract may help treat those with liver disease.
A
Although the placebo group also noticed a reduction in AST and ALT levels, they were not significant.
Another
Green tea intake has likewise
While drinking green tea is considered safe for most people, in
Although chewy candy often comes to mind when thinking of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), it’s really an herb with powerful medicinal properties.
Licorice root
The main active component in licorice root is the saponin compound glycyrrhizin, which is commonly used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine to treat many ailments, including liver disease.
Some studies have demonstrated that treatment with licorice extract may benefit those with certain liver conditions.
An
In
In the vodka-only group, liver damage markers, including ALT, AST, and GGT, significantly increased. In the glycyrrhizin group, these markers did not significantly increase, suggesting that glycyrrhizin may help protect against alcohol-related liver damage.
Although these findings are promising, more research is needed.
What’s more, some people are more sensitive to licorice, and the chronic use of licorice products
Turmeric and its main active component curcumin have been linked to a variety of impressive health benefits.
It’s
A
Piperine is a compound found in black pepper that enhances curcumin absorption.
It was
Supplementing with turmeric and curcumin is generally considered safe. However,
Although garlic is botanically considered a vegetable, it’s a popular component of many herbal remedies. It’s packed with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory plant compounds, such as allicin, alliin, and ajoene, which may help support liver health.
A
What’s more, 51% of the participants in the garlic group showed improvements in the severity of liver fat accumulation, compared with just 16% of the control group.
Additionally,
Although raw garlic is generally considered safe, concentrated garlic supplements was found to induce liver injury in a
Ginger root is a popular culinary ingredient and also commonly used as a medicinal treatment for many health conditions, including liver disease.
A
Ginger root contains powerful compounds, including gingerols and shogaols, that help inhibit inflammation and protect against cellular damage, which may help support liver health. Plus, ginger may help protect your liver against toxins like alcohol.
Ginger is generally considered safe, even for those with liver conditions. However, you should always check with your healthcare provider before supplementing with high-dose ginger products.
In addition to the treatments listed above, many other herbs have been linked to improved liver health.
Danshen is a substance that’s commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. It’s the dried roots of the herb Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. Human and animal studies have shown that danshen may have positive effects on liver health.
Ginkgo biloba is a popular herbal supplement that has been linked to improved liver health. For example, a
Although ginkgo biloba has been
Astragalus is an edible herb commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. It’s loaded with medicinal compounds, including saponins, isoflavonoids, and polysaccharides, which have powerful therapeutic properties.
It’s generally considered safe and
Although some herbal treatments may help treat or prevent liver conditions, it’s critical for anyone interested in using herbal remedies for liver health to speak with a qualified healthcare provider first.
This is because many herbal treatments
In fact, herbal medicines
What’s more, herbal supplements can be contaminated with heavy metals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and bacteria that can harm your liver.
Additionally, many herbs can interact with common medications, which can lead to liver injury and even death.
Even though certain herbs may be safe for you to use, many others aren’t, so you should always check with your healthcare provider before taking any herbal supplement.
Certain herbs have been associated with improved liver health, making them a popular natural remedy choice for those with liver conditions, as well as those who want to support their liver health.
Although some herbal supplements are considered safe and may even treat certain liver diseases, many others can harm liver health.
If you have questions about herbal therapies for liver disease or are interested in taking herbal supplements in hopes of supporting your liver health, always consult a knowledgeable healthcare provider for advice.
