Herbs most often recommended as being beneficial for the liver include the following:
- Milk Thistle – caution is needed since long term use can actually damage the liver. Some preparations also have iron in them. This will cause additional problems especially if the disease is as a result of iron overload.
- Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has acid functions similar to the body’s own hormone, aldosterone, which regulates salt and water pressure, water retention, and potassium depletion. It has also shown that it can stimulate production of he body’s own supply of interferon which accounts for its popularity in Japan as a treatment for viral hepatitis. If taken for more than a week, however, licorice can raise blood pressure and drop potassium levels to a dangerous low. In the PDR for Herbal Medicines, however, licorice is contraindicated in those with chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and other liver diseases. Licorice also contains iron, which should be avoided by those suffering from the condition of iron overload.
- Green Tea (Camellia sinensis) contains high levels of catechin, a plant chemical called a flavonoid, proclaimed as being good for the liver and supposedly having much the same effect as milk thistle. Green Tea also contains caffeine and other chemicals very hard on the liver, as well as other parts of the body. Noted side effects include fever and hemolysis (the breaking down of red blood cells).
- Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) has an extremely high content of Vitamin A – higher than carrots. Since high levels of this vitamin can lead to serious liver damage, dandelion should not be taken by those suffering from liver disease. Dandelion also contains significant amounts of iron, which can cause liver damage, and should be avoided by those suffering from an iron overload.
- Artichokes have an ingredient called caffeylquinic acid or cynara and has a similar effect to milk thistle.
- Turmeric (Curcuma domestica) is the main ingredient of Indian curry powder. The active component is curcumin and has shown that it can inhibit liver damage from aflatoxins and other liver toxins.
Herbs that are harmful to the liver include the following:
- Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica)
- Chaparral (Larrea taridentata)
- Comfrey and others that contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids of heliotropium, senecio, ertalaria, and symphytum.
- Germander (Teucrium chamaedrys)
- Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris)
- Jin Bu Huan
- Lobelia
- Maté (Ilex paraguariensis)
- Ma Huang (ephedra)
- Mistletoe (Viscum album)
- Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans)
- Pau d’arco (La pachol)
- Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium)
- Poke root (Phytolacca americana)
- Ragwort (Senecio jacoboea)
- Sarsparilla (Similax species)
- Sassafras (Sassafras albidium)
- Senna (Casio acutifolia)
- Skullcap (Scutellaria laterifolia)
- Sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis)
- Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)
- T’u-san-chi
- Valerian (Valeriana offinalis)
- Woodruff (Galium odorata)
- Certain Chinese herbal mixtures
- Herbal preparations that contain “ecstacy”
- Herbal preparations known as “Prostata” and those containing saw palmetto.
