Home Remedies for Liver Problems
The liver is one of the largest and most important organs in the body, filtering out all kinds of impurities from our blood and protecting us against the ravages of improper diet and alcohol consumption. Unfortunately, the constant work the liver has to do often leads to problems ranging from jaundice to cirrhosis of the liver.
Our home remedies for liver problems can help keep minor flare-ups of liver conditions from turning into major illnesses. Taking proper care of your liver is the best home remedy there is for liver disease.
Home Remedies for Liver Jaundice
Jaundice is caused by the liver’s inability to process red blood cells properly. The symptoms of jaundice include yellow skin and eyes due to the increased levels of bilirubin in the blood stream. In many instances, home remedies for the liver can reduce jaundice and help get the liver back up to speed processing blood cells properly.
One teaspoon of papaya seed extract (available at most health food stores) can be mixed with one teaspoon of lime juice and taken twice daily to encourage liver function and relieve the symptoms of jaundice.
Two very popular home remedies for liver jaundice that come from Indian medicine include Indian Sorrel and Indian Aloe, both of which can be found at any herbalist’s shop or Ayurvedic medicine store.
Chicory tea also helps with jaundice by encouraging the secretion of bile, which helps reduce bilirubin levels. Drinking a cup of Chicory tea twice a day can keep liver problems at bay as well as cure them when they flare up, so continue drinking the tea daily after your jaundice has cleared up.
Home Remedies for Other Liver Problems
Sometimes you may develop an enlarged liver because of overworking of the organ (particularly if you drink a lot of alcohol or eat lots of refined, processed and fatty foods). Detoxing your body is a great way to clean out your system and give your liver a bit of a rest. Fasting for a day is a great start to any detox plan, but be sure to check with your doctor first before fasting.
A simple detox formula for liver problems is drinking the juice of two whole oranges daily for at least three weeks. If you prefer something less acidic, try soaking roasted cumin seeds in buttermilk for about a half hour, then adding a pinch of salt and drinking everything, making sure you swallow the seeds as well.
An excellent home remedy for liver health is milk thistle, which detoxifies the liver and encourages new, healthy liver cell growth. Two capsules daily can have a significant impact on your liver function. Look for milk thistle capsules in any holistic or natural health store.
If you enjoy drinking fresh juices, you’re in luck. One of the best ways to stimulate liver function is by drinking a refreshing cocktail of three parts carrot juice to one part cucumber or spinach juice. A cold glass of this combination of juices every day will keep your liver in good shape.
Dandelion tea is a wonderful pick-me-up that also stimulates bile production and helps the liver to purify the blood. A cupful each morning is an excellent home remedy for liver problems. If you aren’t a tea drinker, you may want to try sipping one half cup of bitter gourd with a pinch of salt each day.
Although these home remedies for liver problems can certainly help stimulate better liver function and reverse minor cases of jaundice, you should not ignore signs of chronic liver damage such as abdominal pain, bloating and continuing jaundice. If your liver problems persist, consult your doctor or health care specialist.