Ayurveda and Liver Health: Ayurvedic Herbs and Remedies For Liver Problems
Ayurveda and Liver Health
There are several Ayurvedic herbs that improve liver health. Kutki, turmeric, amla, and Triphala are some of the famous ayurvedic herbs for the liver.
The liver is one of the important organs of the body because it performs various important functions such as protein synthesis, detoxification of the body, digestion, etc. The liver is necessary to keep the liver healthy and functioning properly to control this function. A bad lifestyle, an unhealthy diet, and alcohol addiction are the main causes of liver problems. Fatty liver, jaundice, and hepatitis are common liver conditions that can be treated but in some cases, they can lead to severe complications. Therefore, it is better to maintain liver health by following proper dietary and lifestyle practices. Apart from that, you can take Ayurvedic help in improving liver health. There are several herbs that can prevent liver-related problems and ensure better health.
What are liver disorders?
The liver is the largest important organ in the human body that helps in the removal of toxins from the body. This is an important function that helps in keeping the body safe from toxic substances that cause problems to other organs. Poor liver health can cause liver disorders such as:
- Fatty liver disease- When excess fat accumulates in the liver, fatty liver disease results.
- Acute hepatitis- There are five hepatitis viruses (Hep A, B, C, D, and E) that can cause inflammation in the liver leading to acute hepatitis.
- Chronic hepatitis- While acute hepatitis is short-lived, chronic hepatitis lasts for more than six months.
- Cirrhosis of the liver- Alcoholism, and hepatitis can cause fibrosis of the liver leading to cirrhosis of the liver.
- Cancer- Impure blood can cause infection and metastatic cancer in the liver.
Risk Factors for Liver Disorders
Here are some factors that increase the risk of liver disorders:
- Obesity
- diabetes
- Blood transfusion
- Alcoholism or heavy also
- The use of shared needles to inject drugs
- Exposure to infected blood and body fluids of others
- Body piercing or tattoo
- Exposure to toxins and chemicals
The Link Between Ayurveda and Liver
The liver is called Yakrit in Ayurvedic terminology. The liver is associated with pitta dosha, rather than death or blood, and Agni or digestive fire. Any problem with these three is most likely due to the liver and vice versa. The severity of pitta is interrelated with different liver disorders including enlarged liver and contracted liver. What we know as jaundice, fatty liver, and liver cirrhosis are actually caused by pitta dosha. The two remedies suggested by Ayurveda for removing liver disorders are Vamana and Virechana. Ayurveda and Liver Health.
How can Ayurveda treat Liver Diseases?
According to Ayurveda, the liver processes and metabolizes the food a person consumes. Herbs that have cooling properties with bitter taste are very good for liver health. The same goes for food. Fruits and vegetables such as carrots, beets, green leafy vegetables, and apples are said to be best for the liver. In addition, there are some herbs that help liver health and are proven to be better than conventional medicines. Read on to learn more about this herb.
Ayurvedic herbs for healthy liver
Kutki
Kutki is a bitter herb that is an elixir for the liver. It may not taste good but it has incredible benefits in terms of improving liver health. Kutki has cooling and cleansing properties that work as a liver tonic. It detoxifies the gallbladder and liver thereby increasing appetite and treating liver disorders such as gallstones and jaundice. Kutki not only helps in increasing metabolism but also treats skin problems caused by impurities in the blood. You can easily get Kuki herb in the store or you can get Kuki capsules and take them as directed on the pack.
Amla
Amla or Indian Gooseberry is a great food. It is not just an herb but also a potential food with lots of vitamin C. It is good for those with liver problems especially those with fatty liver problems. Amla helps in melting fat deposits to promote liver health. Everyone should eat at least one amla every day. There are many ways to have amla. You can either drink amla juice daily on an empty stomach or eat amla fruit or mix amla powder in water and drink it.
Guduchi
Just like Kutki, Guduchi is another powerful Ayurvedic herb for liver health. This is a valuable herb known for its blood-cleansing potential and body detox properties. Most Ayurvedic medicines for liver problems have Guduchi as their main ingredient. However, it is better to consult an Ayurvedic doctor before taking this as they will inform you about the dosage and other guidelines. People with fatty liver, hepatitis and jaundice can have this herb.
Papaya: Ayurveda and Liver Health
Papaya is a delicious fruit but it is also recognized for its incredible health benefits. But for liver health, we’re considering papaya seeds and leaves. Yes, the leaves and seeds you discard are very good in dealing with liver issues like jaundice, cirrhosis of the liver, etc. Find below some ways to get papaya for liver disorders:
- Dry the papaya seeds under sunlight and grind them to make papaya seed powder.
- In a glass of warm water, add a teaspoon of papaya seed powder and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. Drink this every day to detox your liver.
- Extract papaya leaf juice and mix it with other fruit juices of your choice. Drink every day.
NOTE: Pregnant or lactating women should not drink it because it can harm the baby’s health.
Triphala
Do we need to tell you about the medicinal benefits of Triphala? There are so many diseases that Triphala helps and liver disorders are among them. This is because Triphala is a rich combination of three powerful herbs namely haritaki, bibhitaki, and amla. If you take a pinch of Triphala churna every day before going to bed, your metabolism and bowel movement will be better. In addition, it also helps in blood purification and body detoxification.
Chyawanprash
Your mother must have made you eat a spoonful of chyawanprash in your childhood. This is a magical potion that can prevent all diseases. It is made using a blend of Ayurvedic herbs that boost the immune system and strengthen the overall health. You should have one spoonful of chyawanprash daily to detoxify the body and improve liver function.
Garlic
We know garlic as a food but it is much more than that. It is actually an herb that improves liver health and reduces the risk of liver problems. It is a powerful medicine to reduce fat accumulation in the liver. This helps in thorough cleansing. Taking garlic every day or drinking garlic tea in the morning can promote liver function. For more effective results, add cloves to your food to strengthen the liver.
Turmeric and Lemon
This is a powerful combo high in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. While turmeric has medicinal properties to maintain liver health, lemon is a well-known detox compound. In a glass of warm water, add a pinch of turmeric and a teaspoon of lemon juice. Eat this on an empty stomach. This drink will remove all the toxins to ease your liver.
Apart from these Ayurvedic herbs, you must have ghee every day. Ghee is believed to be a fatty food but it is not. Surprisingly, it helps in detoxifying the liver. To keep your heart healthy, you must work on your diet and lifestyle. Follow a healthy routine to maintain a healthy heart. Do yoga and meditation to improve overall health. Ayurvedic herbs are generally safe and do not cause any side effects. However, to treat any diseased liver condition, you must consult an Ayurvedic doctor.
