LIST
OF HERBS COMMONLY USED TO TREAT
HEPATITIS C AND RELATED CONDITIONS
There are many extremely powerful herbs and herbal remedies
that have been used to treat various symptoms of hepatitis C
for centuries. Some of them are very effective, especially
with clear cut problems like jaundice. However, the application
of herbs to their more subtle symptoms of the Hepatitis C Virus HCV may require
the knowledge of an experienced herbalist.
Herbs can be used to treat specific symptoms
or problems that may be related to or caused by hepatitis
C. Or herbs may be used to target the underlying condition
of chronic viral hepatitis. If you choose Western herbal medicine
as your primary means of treatment it is very important that
you consult an experienced herbalist who can help you develop
a treatment strategy. Some symptoms may be cleared quickly,
while others may require ongoing treatment.
There are some herbs that
have a general appeal to those with HCV because they contain substances
that have anti-viral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, blood-purifying,
interferon stimulating and immune boosting qualities. Some have
properties that are more specific to HCV related symptoms.
Nutritionists, "Natural Medicine"
practitioners and many medical doctors, prescribe herbal remedies
for many liver disorders, including hepatitis C. The following
list is a compilation of Western herbs that are repeatedly
found in publications or resources specifically about Hepatitis
C and related symptoms.
There a wide variety of
herbs and plants that are used for improving liver conditions:
* Alfalfa
* Aloe Vera (aloeaceae)
* Artichoke (Cynara scolymus)
* Artemisia (Common Wormwood, Green Ginger)
* Asparagus
* Astralagus (Huang Chi, atralagus membranaceus)
* Bai Zhu
* Baical Skullcap (Huang Qin, Radix scutellariae baicalensis)
* Barberry (Pipperidge Bush, Berberis vulgaris)
* Barley Leaf
* Black Cohash (Black Snake Root, Bugbane,
Cimicufaga racemosa)
* Black Root (Leptandra Virginica)
* Blessed Thistle (Holy Thistle,Cnicus benedictus)
* Bloodroot
* Boldo
* Boneset
* Bupleurum (Chai Hu, Thorough Wax, Buplerum
chinense, umbeliferae)
* Burdock Root (Lappa, Fox's clote, Beggar's
Buttons, Arctium lappa)
* Cai Hu
* Californian Buckthorn (Sacred Bark, Chittem
Bark, Cascara sagrada, Rhamnus purshiane,
Rhamnaceae)
* Cats Claw (Unicaria tomentosa)
* Celandine, Greater (Garden Celandine,
Chelidonium majus, Papaveraceae)
* Cen Phi
* Chaparral (Larrea tridentata, Zygophyllaceae)
* Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale, Compositae)
* Dang Gui
* Dang Shen
* Desmodium (Desmodium ascendens;Papillonaceae)
* Echinacea (Snakeroot, Purple Coneflower,
Echinacea angustifolia, E. purpurea)
* Elder Flowers (Sambucus nigra, S. canadensis;
Caprifoliaceae)
* Euphorbia (Phyllanthus;Euphorbiaceae subspecies
amara and niruri)
* Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum;
Leguminosae)
* Fringe Tree Root Bark (Cortex Radicus
chionanthi; Chionanthus virginicus)
* Gan Cao
* Garlic
* Gentian Root (Yellow Gentian; Gentiana lutea;
Gentianaceae)
* Ginger Root
* Gingko Leaf (Ginko Nut, Maidenhair Tree, Gingko
Biloba; Gingkoaceae)
* Ginseng, American ( Five Fingers; Panax
quinquefolium; Araliaceae)
* Ginseng, Siberian (Touch-Me-Not, Devil's Bush;
Eleutherococcus senticosus, Araliaceae)
* Globe Artichoke
* Golden Seal (Puccoon Root, Yellowroot;
Hydrastis canadensis; Ranunculaceae)
* Grape Seed Extract
* Green Tea
* Huang Qui
* Licorice (Gan T'sao;Glycyrrhiza glabra;
Leguminosae)
* Milk-Vetch Root
* Milk Thistle/Silymarin
* Olive Leaf Extract
* Oregon Grape Root (Mahonia aquifolium,
M. repens; Berberidaceae)
* Pau D'Arco (Tabebuia, Ipe Roxo; Tabebuia
avellanedae; Bignoniaceae)
* Peony Root (Shao Yao; Paeonia lactiflora;
Ranunculaceae)
* Phyllanthus Urinaria
* Psyllium Seeds (Plantago ovata, P. psyllium;
Plantaginaceae)
* Red Root
* Reishi Mushroom
* Sarsaparilla (Sarsaparilla officinalis, Smilax
officinalis; Liliaceae)
* Schisandra
* Sheng Giang
* Shiitake Mushroom
* Siberian Ginseng
* Silymarin/Milk Thistle
* Slippery Elm Bark (Red Elm; Ulmus rubra;
Ulmaceae)
* St. John's Wort (Hypercium perforatum;
Hypericaceae)
* St. Mary's Thistle
* Suma (Para Toda, Brazilian Ginseng,Pfaffia
Paniculata; Amaranthaceae)
* Wild Oregon Grape
* Wild Yam (Colicroot, Rheumatism Root;
Dioscorea villosa; Dioscoreaceae)
* Yellow Dock (Curly Dock; Rumex crispus;
Polygonaceae)
SAFETY ISSUES OF HERBS FOR HCV
AND SELF-PRESCRIBING
Skill and experience are needed to prescribe
herbs correctly. Herbs can have unpredictable effects, especially
when taken in combination. It is therefore not a good idea
to go out and buy a selection of herbs listed in our reports
and just use them randomly.
If you have hepatitis C (or any health condition)
it is particularly important to be aware of the power of herbs
and the possibility of undesirable side effects. People with
HCV may be more vulnerable to such side effects. It is recommended
that you consult a qualified herbalist.
Some people with clear cut medical conditions
that do not have access to an herbalist may choose to try
single-herb treatment. It is strongly suggested that you use
only one herb at a time if you are self-prescribing. If you
encounter any problems stop taking the herb immediately and
get some medical advise.
FOR A LIST OF QUALIFIED HERBALISTS in the
United States you can contact: American Herbalists Guild,
Box 11727W, Forestville, CA 95436.<
For a list of qualified herbalists in the
U.K. you can contact: The National Institute of Medical
Herbalists, 56 Longbrook St., Exeter, Devon EX4 6AH. Enclose
an A5 stamped addressed envelope.
THE LISTING OF THESE HERBS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT
OR RECOMMENDATION ON THE PART OF HEALTHY HEPPER.com
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO DISCUSS THESE WITH
A HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER BEFORE TRYING ANY HERBS. HERBS
ARE STRONG SUBSTANCES AND THERE ARE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS, INTERACTIONS
AND EVEN UNSAFE HERBS FOR CERTAIN HEALTH CONDITIONS. PLEASE
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR. SEE OUR DISCLAIMER.
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