Another area of therapy that is exceptionally well suited for herbal treatment
is that of liver disease. 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! This highlights again the limiting trap of the current research
paradigm.
The liver serves to metabolize carbohydrates and store them as glycogen
metabolize lipids (including cholesterol and certain vitamins) and proteins
manufacture bile filter impurities and toxic material from the blood produce
blood-clotting factors and destroy old, worn-out red blood cells. Certain
reticuloendothelial cells (the Kupffer cells) play a role in immunity. It is
able to regenerate itself after being injured or diseased if, however, a
disease progresses beyond the tissue's capacity to regenerate new cells, the
body's entire metabolism is severely affected. Any number of disorders can
affect the liver and interfere with the blood supply, the hepatic and Kupffer
cells, and the bile ducts.
From the ecological perspective offered earlier it becomes apparent that our
evolutionary home - the environment in which we live - will nurture and heal
many of the ills of the liver. After all, the liver and its wonderful
biochemistry is part of the ecosystem as well.
With remedies such as Dandelion, Balmony, Fringe Tree Bark and the bitter tonic
herbs already mentioned, a powerful materia medica is available. Treatment can
range through conditions requiring gentle liver stimulation to even profound
liver disease. As with most claims made by the medical herbalist,
pharmacological and clinical research is starting to support traditional
experience and provide a chemical insight into the mechanisms
involved.
An abundance of research has been done into the hepato-protective effects of a
number of herbs. This provides us with a good example of the quality of
research being undertaken. The information in this section comes from a number
of excellent literature reviews on this fascinating branch of Phytotherapy.
Please refer to:
Hikino & Kiso (1988) Natural Products for Liver Diseases. In
"Economic and Medicinal Plant Research Vol.2." (Wagner, Hikino &
Farnsworth) Academic Press, London.
Murray, M.T. (1995) The Healing Power of Herbs. Prima Publishing,
Rocklin.
Vogel, G. (1977) Natural Substances with Effects on the Liver. In "New
Natural Products and Plant Drugs with Pharmacological, Biological or
Therapeutic Activity." (Wagner & Wolff) Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg.
Phyto-Therapy Research and Liver Disease
- The main causes of liver disease are:
- viral infection
- hepatotoxic chemicals such as:
-
- ethyl alcohol
-
- peroxides (particularly peroxidized edible oil)
-
- toxins in food (especially aflatoxins)
-
- pharmaceuticals (mainly antibiotics, chemotherapeutics and CNS-active
drugs)
-
- environmental pollutants
Although such hepatotoxins induced liver lesions may be reversed in the early
stages, they cannot be healed only by removal of the toxins after critical
periods, highlighting the need for effective remedies for liver diseases. A
number of herbs that have been long used for their curative effects on liver
disorders in traditional medicine around the world have revealed their unique
potential to pharmacological investigation. Research into these plants has
resulted in the isolation of a number of `active principles', including
dramatically anti-hepatotoxic constituents.