LIVER CARE!

Liver Care...
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The liver is the largest single gland in the body. It is located on the right side of the abdomen under the lower ribs and just under the diaphragm which divides the chest from the abdomen. Liver performs a number of important functions in the body. When the liver is healthy it works very smoothly. But the liver can be affected by a number of serious disorders, such as virus infections, parasites, and disturbances of the circulation, stone formation in the bile ducts, injuries due to poisonous substances, and various kinds of tumors.

Most of the foods we eat are stored in the liver, after having been digested and absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. The liver has another very important function, that of detoxifying or destroying many harmful poisons and even certain medicines that are taken into the body for other purposes. When the liver is sick these functions are impaired and soon the whole body suffers. Not only does the liver store food materials, it also produces bile, a golden-yellowish liquid that is needed for the absorption of fat from the intestine. Another important substance produced in the liver is cholesterol, part of which passes into the bile. It may even form stones in the bile ducts and gall bladder under certain conditions.

Another important component is prothrombin, which is needed for the clotting of the blood. Urea, an important component of the urine, is also produced in the liver. The production of all these substances may be changed under certain disease conditions.

Jaundice is a disease marked by a yellow discoloration in the skin or in the whites of the eye. This is due to excessive amount of bile in the blood stream. Hepatitis is an acute inflammation of the liver caused by some infectious or toxic agent. The skin may be discolored and the whites of the eyes turn yellow. Various substances and organisms may be responsible for hepatitis, including germs, viruses, and toxic agents.

Another important disease of the liver is the cirrhosis of the liver. It is mostly associated with alcoholism. Poor nutrition may be responsible for this condition also. In some cases chronic poisoning with industrial fluids, such as carbon tetrachloride, may also play a part. In the early stages of the disease there may be frequent attacks of gas and indigestion, with occassional nausea and vomiting and with abdominal pain and weight loss.

Cancer may occur in almost any organ of the body. When it begins in the stomach or large bowel, the liver may soon be involved mainly because the blood flows toward the liver from all the digestive organs including the pancreas and gall bladder. This is known as metastatic carcinoma.

HOME REMEDIES FOR LIVER CARE

Papaya has been found beneficial in the treatment of cirrhosis of the liver, caused by alcoholism and malnutrition. Take a tablespoon of juice by grinding the seeds, mix with ten drops of fresh limejuice, and take it once or twice daily for about a month as a medicine for this disease. This is one of the important home remedies for liver care.

The herb trailing eclipta, botanically known as eclipta Alba (Bhringaraj ), has proved invaluable in cirrhosis of the liver. Take the juice of all parts of this plant in doses of one teaspoon, mixed with one teaspoon of honey, three times daily.

Picrorhiza known as picrorhiza kurroa (Katuki) is a drug of choice in ayurveda for cirrhosis of the liver among adults. Mix a tablespoon of the powder with an equal quantity of honey, take this thrice daily.

The juice of carrots, in combination with spinach juice, has been found beneficial in the treatment of cirrhosis of the liver. Mix -200 ml of Spinach juice with 300 ml of carrot juice to prepare 500 ml or half a liter of combined juices. Similarly, 300 ml of carrot juice, combined with 100 ml each of cucumber and beet juices can be used effectively. The patient must stop taking alcohol in any form. One of the best home remedies for liver care.

Vegetables such as beets, squashes, bitter gourd, eggplant, tomatoes, carrots, radishes, and papaya are especially useful in this condition.

The patient should avoid all refined, processed, and canned foods; spices and condiments; strong tea and coffee; fried foods; all preparations cooked in ghee, oil, or butter; all meats; and all chemical additives in food. The use of salt should be limited.

Application of hot and cold compresses, for two to three minutes each, on the liver area are beneficial.

Daily morning exercises, which involve stretching and deep breathing, are also effective in preventing the liver. Stretching and deep breathing kind of exercises early in the morning provide the most benefit for anyone with sluggish liver.

Soak 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of Bentonite clay in 1 cup of filtered water for 12 hours. Then add ½ to 1 tablespoon of psyllium husks or plantago seeds to the clay mixture and mix well. Drink and eat the whole cup of mixture immediately and then followed by 1 cup of warm water before bedtime. This is an effective home remedy for liver.

Drink at least 8 cups of warm water a day including 2 cups first thing in the morning. Epsom salt may help in flushing out the stones from the gall bladder. Epsom salt dilates the bile duct.

Take 2 tablespoons of GCG to crush the stone and wait for 1½ to 2 hours before taking 1 tablespoon each of Coptis and Curcuma again. The crushed stones appear to move easier and the pain is relieved. This is one of the best home remedies for liver care..

Milk thistle is found useful in patients who have developed acute liver disease from drugs, environmental toxins or ethanol or mushroom poisoning.

Another good home remedy for liver care is to take one tablespoon each of Coptis and Curcuma can usually help to push out the stones or other blockages.

A licorice root extract called glycyrrhizin has also shown good result as a possible remedy for chronic hepatitis C and liver cancer.

Ayurvedic Herbs ... More

Hardh

Latin Name
Terminalia chebula

Sanskrit Name
Haritaki

Hindi Name
Hardh

English Name
Chebulic Myrobalans, Indian Gallnut

Parts Used

Fruit (not a nut). Each plant and part has a different therapeutic value and must be prepared in its own way for maximum benefits. This tree is found wild in the forests of northern and central India, Bengal, Madras, Mysore, and the southern Bombay Presidency.

Traditional Ayurvedic Uses

• Haritaki is known as a top-notch rasayana fruit in ayurveda. It is traditionally said to be as safe and nurturing as mother's milk.
• It detoxifies and nourishes all the dhatus (body tissues).
• In combination with Emblic Myroblans and Beleric Myrobalans, it forms the famous ayurvedic remedy Triphala.
• There are six tastes in ayurveda -- sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent and astrigent. Haritaki contains five out of the six tastes -- all except salty. So it is a rasayana suitable for everyone.
• There are seven varieties of Haritaki, and Vijaya is considered the superior variety of this fruit. Maharishi Ayurveda formulations are all prepared with the Vijaya variety for the best rasayana value.
• Haritaki is considered good for constipation and has antioxidant properties. It has positive effects on the hair, skin, eyes and liver.

Jatamashi

Latin Name
Nardostachys jatamansi

Sanskrit Name
Jatamansi

Hindi Name
Jatamashi

English Name
Muskroot, Indian Spikenard, (Indian Valerian -- informal)

Parts Used

Rhizome, rhizome oil. Each plant and part has a different therapeutic value and must be prepared in its own way for maximum benefits. Only found at high altitudes (from 10,000 to 17,000 feet) in India, Bhutan, and Sikkim.

Traditional Ayurvedic Uses

• Famous in ayurveda as an herb to combat the effects of day-to-day stress. It has the property of enhancing the body's innate ability to sleep well.
• It is considered a holy or "divine" plant in ayurveda and has traditionally been used as an air purifier. Charaka's ayurvedic text recommends it highly for insomnia, mental instability and to enhance memory.
• It is said to promote growth and maintain the color of hair.

Manduki

Latin Name
Centella asiatica, Hydrocotyle asiatica

Sanskrit Name
Mandukaparni

Hindi Name
Manduki

English Name
Gotu-Kola, Indian Pennywort

Parts Used

Whole herb. Every plant has a different therapeutic value and must be prepared in its own way for maximum benefits. Mandukaparni can be found around the world in shaded, watery places.

Traditional Ayurvedic Uses

• Mandukaparni acts as a powerful brain food, and is known for its ability to enhance mind power (Medhya Rasayana effect). It supports and improves all aspects of mental functioning, including comprehension (Dhi), memory (Dhriti) and recollection (Smriti). It is important because it coordinates these three aspects of mind power to develop the full potential of the mind.
• Mandukaparni has a very valuable and saught-after Vayasthapana effect, meaning that it helps retard the aging process. It is excellent for both internal and topical application. French scientists recently did some breakthrough research to show it stimulates synthesis of collagen, for powerful anti-aging effects for the skin.
• Mandukaparni nourishes the mind-body connection and enhances the psychoneuro immune (PNI) response.
• Mandukaparni supports the formation of quality blood (Rakta Dhatu), as well as the bone marrow and nerves (Majja Dhatu).

Manjit

Latin Name
Rubia cordifolia

Sanskrit Name
Manjistha

Hindi Name
Manjit

English Name
Indian Madder / Bengal Madder

Parts Used

Root. Each plant has a different therapeutic value and must be prepared in its own way for maximum benefits. This climbing plant is found in the northwest Himalayas and hilly districts of India.

Traditional Ayurvedic Uses

• Manjistha supports the formation of quality nutrient plasma (Rasa Dhatu), blood (Rakta Dhatu), and fat (Meda Dhatu).

Nimb

Latin Name
Azadirachta indica, Melia azadirachta

Sanskrit Name
Nimba

Hindi Name
Nimb

English Name
Neem

Parts Used

Entire plant, leaf, bark. Each part has a different therapeutic value and must be prepared in its own way for maximum benefits. This tree can be found nearly all over India.

Traditional Ayurvedic Uses

• There are several bitter tonics in ayurveda which help detoxification and help enhance the immune system, and Neem is one of the best. Neem helps detoxify the liver and skin and has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties.

Ayurvedic Herbs - Continue

Bhangra
Latin Name
Eclipta alba, Hassk

Sanskrit Name
Bhringaraj

Hindi Name
Bhangra

English Name
Not Available

Parts Used

Root and stems. Each part has a different therapeutic value and must be prepared in its own way for maximum benefits.

Traditional Ayurvedic Uses

• Bhringaraj has a Keshya effect, meaning that it directly nourishes and improves the hair.
• It is especially good for the liver, which is governed by the subcategory of Pitta called Ranjaka Pitta. Ranjaka literally translates as "that which colors", and explains the ability of Bhringaraj to balance and improve hair color from within.
• By improving liver function, Bhringaraj also helps to remove and prevent impurities (Ama) throughout the body.

Bhaira

Latin Name
Terminalia belerica

Sanskrit Name
Bibhitaki

Hindi Name
Bhaira

English Name
Beleric Myrobalan, Bedda Nut

Parts Used

Whole plant, roots, leaves, stalks. Each part has a different therapeutic value and must be prepared in its own way for maximum benefits.

Traditional Ayurvedic Uses

• Brahmi acts as a powerful brain food, and is known for its ability to enhance mind power (Medhya effect). It supports and improves all aspects of mental functioning, including comprehension (Dhi), memory (Dhriti) and recollection (Smriti). It is important because it also enhances the crucial coordination of these three aspects of mental functioning.
• Because it increases the ability to solve problems effectively, Brahmi is often used in formulas to help relieve and prevent stress.
• Brahmi can be processed in different ways, or with different herbs, to balance any of the three laws of the physiology (Vata, Pitta, Kapha).
• It is a very good overall tonic (Rasayana, or longevity-enhancer).
• Brahmi is used to prepare a number of important Ayurvedic preparations (Brahmighritam, Brahmirasayanam) which are given to those suffering from anxiety and emotional stress.

Note: Two main herbs go by the name of Brahmi in the ancient Ayurvedic texts. Some experts, such as Vaidya R. K. Mishra, feel that Herpestis Monniera is more authentic and is preferable for mental benefits except where urinary flow, purification, and immunomodulation is desired by the physician. The other herb that commonly goes by this name is more popularly known in the U.S. as Gotu-Kola, or Centella asiatica. When the texts specify Gotu-kola without the option of substitution, it is called Mandukaparni. So we always identify Brahmi as Herpestis Monniera in our herbal formulations.


Brambhi


Latin Name
Herpestis Monniera, Bacopa Monnieri

Sanskrit Name
Brahmi

Hindi Name
Brambhi

English Name
Thyme-leaved Gratiola (rarely used)

Parts Used

Fruit (contrary to one of its many names name, this is not a nut). Each plant and part has a different therapeutic value and must be prepared in its own way for maximum benefits. This tree is found throughout the Indian forests and plains.

Traditional Ayurvedic Uses

• Bibhitaki primarily supports the healthy formation of three bodily tissues -- nutrient plasma (Rasa Dhatu), muscle (Mamsa Dhatu) and bone (Asthi Dhatu).
• It is most commonly seen along with Amalaki and Haritaki as an ingredient in the popular Ayurvedic formula known as Digest Tone , which aids digestion and nourishes all the bodily tissues (the Dhatus). Triphala also helps scrub the colon, and supports the action of other ingredients in any well-balanced formula.