Hepatitis is a form of liver disease that has several different causal agents, its types currently labeled A, B, and C. Less common ones also exist. It takes the form of liver inflammation, usually caused by a viral infection, which leaves the liver enlarged and unable to function properly. Treatment before travel to countries where hepatitis is endemic is preferable to vaccination; I have known of many cases in which the patient felt that the vaccination was responsible for later symptoms and, occasionally, for the full-blown disease. Conventional medical practitioners will openly admit that vaccination does not necessarily stop one from contracting hepatitis. Symptoms include headaches, facial flushing, inflamed gums, tenderness from inflammation in the liver area, diarrhea, a yellow coating on the side of the tongue, a profound sense of fatigue and loss of well-being, and possibly migraine headaches. Hepatitis A is transmitted through food, blood, water, bodily fluids, and other sources of infection, and is usually acute and infectious. Hepatitis B is more likely to be transmitted by bodily fluids including blood. It has an incubation period of three months, and is usually chronic. Hepatitis C is also infectious, present in blood and in broken, weeping skin. Current treatment of hepatitis C involves prolonged doses of interferon, which can make the patient feel permanently ill with flulike symptoms while simply delaying the regeneration of the liver. Hepatitis is known to increase the likelihood of other liver disease in later life.
Hepatitis is called chronic when it lasts longer than six months. Chills, fever, and malaise accompany acute hepatitis. Although liver function tests can be useful, generally no specific treatment is recommended except rest for hepatitis A and B. Isolation may possibly be recommended, depending on the type.
Hepatitis needs different treatment depending on the type. But all types will respond to the following treatments:
Bile needs to be decongested in this situation, and the “fire” and “heat” of the problem purged and cooled. Many herbs common to the kitchen and garden will help: dandelion root, turmeric root, mint leaf, oregano leaf, and burdock root. Avoid cooked and raw hot spices and alcohol at all cost.
Gentian root is a bitter tonic to be taken before meals. It is an ancient European remedy for all digestive and liver and gallbladder problems. Meadowsweet leaf, common in Europe, will also be useful. Siberian ginseng root for tonic support will be vital, as may other tonic herbs depending on the symptoms displayed. Expert advice will be vital.
Use milk thistle seed though cautiously and in small doses so as not to push the liver too hard. The silymarin it contains has been found to have protective and regenerative properties, making it effective in chronic and postacute hepatitis. Milk thistle is known to protect liver cells from injury, toxins, free radicals, and viral toxins, and to increase the population of liver enzymes—all of which encourage a quick recovery from injury, while stimulating regeneration of liver tissue. Schisandra berry and dandelion root will also be vital for their powerful and balanced liver detoxification abilities.
The spleen will need to be assisted to perform better (it can occasionally show slight enlargement with hepatitis C). Use echinacea root, olive leaf, and turmeric rhizome to assist immunity.
Under supervision, liver and gallbladder cleanses, along with a colon cleanse are essential. Use barberry root bark and other liver and bowel cleansers as well.
Castor-oil packs over the liver will help.
For more natural-healing practices, diet, and routines for the liver, gallbladder, and spleen. A bland diet with steamed, stewed food is essential. Vigilance will keep this disease to a minimum, so that it neither recurs nor worsens.
This Herbal Hepatitis Treatment article is taken from :
The complete home guide to herbs, natural healing, and nutrition / Jill Rosemary Davies.
