Hepatics are herbal remedies which in a wide range of ways aid the work of the liver. They tone, strengthen and in some cases increase the flow of bile. In a broad holistic approach to health they are of great importance because of the fundamental role of the liver in the working of the body. An area of therapy that is well suited for herbal treatment is that of liver damage. In the unique and often infuriatingly 'unscientific' language of traditional herbalist's, much attention is given to 'detoxifying the liver'. The incredible complexity of liver chemistry and its fundamental role in human physiology is so daunting to researchers that the thought that simple plant remedies might have something to offer is both laughable and even insulting! Of course this is their problem as these 'common weeds' are proving to be profound tools in the treatment of diseases of pollution, both voluntary and involuntary. This blinkered perspective highlights again the limiting trap of the current research paradigm. For a more detailed look at the phytotherapeutic approach to liver disease please refer to the section on the digestive system.
There is no simple or single answer to how hepatics work. The bitters and cholagogues all act as hepatics, but then so do a whole range of remedies without such specific actions. Here is the epitome of herbal remedies that do wonders for the body, without us necessarily knowing how. This lack of biochemical knowledge does not stop them from working their wonders!
Hepatics
Agrimony
Aloe
Balm
Balmony
Barberry
Black Root
Blue Flag
Boldo
Bogbean
Cascara
Celery
Centaury
Cleavers
Dandelion
Elecampane
Fennel
Fringetree
Fumitory
Gentian
Golden Seal
Horseradish
Hyssop
Milk Thistle
Mountain Grape
Motherwort
Prickly Ash
Wahoo
Wild Indigo
Wild Yam
Wormwood
Yarrow
Yellow Dock
Hepatics that are also Alterative: Agrimony, Blue Flag, Cleavers, Dandelion, Fringetree, Fumitory, Mountain Grape, Prickly Ash, Yellow Dock
Hepatics that are also Anti-catarrhal: Golden Seal, Mountain Grape, Wild Indigo
Hepatics that are also Anti-inflammatory: Blue Flag, Bogbean, Celery, Cleavers, Wild Yam, Wormwood
Hepatics that are also Anti-microbial: Barberry, Elecampane, Wild Indigo, Yarrow
Hepatics that are also Anti-spasmodic: Balm, Black Root, Fennel, Hyssop, Motherwort, Wild Yam
Hepatics that are also Astringent : Agrimony, Barberry, Cleavers, Golden Seal, Yarrow
Hepatics that are also Bitter: Agrimony, Barberry, Bogbean, Cascara, Centaury, Gentian, Golden Seal, Wormwood
Hepatics that are also Carminative: Balm, Celery, Fennel, Horseradish, Hyssop, Prickly Ash, Wormwood
Hepatics that are also Diaphoretic: Balm, Barberry, Black Root, Elecampane, Hyssop, Prickly Ash, Wild Indigo, Yarrow
Hepatics that are also Diuretic : Agrimony, Blue Flag, Bogbean, Boldo, Cleavers, Fringetree, Fumitory, Horseradish, Wahoo, Yarrow
Hepatics that are also Emmenagogue: Barberry, Motherwort, Wormwood
Hepatics that are also Expectorant: Elecampane, Fennel, Hyssop
Hepatics that are also Hypotensive: Yarrow
Hepatics that are also Laxative : Balmony, Blue Flag, Dandelion, Fringetree, Golden Seal, Horseradish, Mountain Grape, Wahoo, Yellow Dock
Hepatics that are also Nervine : Balm, Celery, Hyssop, Motherwort
Tonic : Agrimony, Balmony, Cleavers, Dandelion, Fringetree, Golden Seal, Mountain Grape, Prickly Ash
Vulnerary: Agrimony, Golden Seal
Hepatics and Their System Affinity
The hepatics can be considered as having a system affinity for the liver and so a broad supportive effect upon the whole digestive system and blood.
Cardio-Vascular: Yarrow
Respiratory: Elecampane
Digestive: Agrimony, Boldo, Centaury, Gentian, Golden Seal
Urinary:
Reproductive:
Endocrine :
Lymphatic: Cleavers
Nervous: Hyssop
The Skin: Cleavers
Musculo/Skeletal: Bogbean, Celery
 | Whilst working in conservation and lecturing in ecology and the eco-crisis for the University of Wales, David Hoffman became convinced that to heal the world, to embrace planetary wholeness and responsibility for it......more |
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