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Health Remedies - Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis is a complication of chronic liver diseases that is characterized by scarring of the liver. In this condition, the normal tissue is replaced by scarred tissue which blocks the flow of blood through the organ and causes dysfunction of the liver. Cirrhosis may occur due to many conditions such as alcoholic liver disease, chronic hepatitis (B, C and D), autoimmune hepatitis, blocked bile ducts, inherited diseases (such as Wilson's disease, galactosemia and glycogen storage diseases), drugs, environmental toxins, infections etc.

The common symptoms are nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss, small, red spider veins under the skin or easy bruising, weakness, fatigue, abdominal pain, low libido etc. Loss of liver function affects the body in many ways leading to further complications such as edema, ascites, jaundice, gallstones, accumulation of toxins in the blood or brain, portal hypertension, varicose veins, hepatic cancer etc. In severe cases brain is affected causing hepatic encephalopathy (confusion and coma). Cirrhosis is generally irreversible once it occurs, and treatment generally focuses on preventing progression and complications.

Useful herbs

Aloe vera	As a tonic, in amenorrhea, asthma, boils, bruises, burns (including those from radiation), stomach cancer, common cold, cough, digestive disorders, fever, hemorrhages, hysteria, inflammation, eye problems, jaundice, cirrhosis, hepatitis, stomach ulcers, colitis, wound, scald, dry skin, conjunctivitis, psoriasis, hair fall, rosacea, warts and eczema; prevents opportunistic infections in cases of HIV and AIDS.
Aristolochia contorta	In the treatment of cancer, coughs, inflammation of the respiratory organs, haemorrhoids and hypertension (fruit); in the treatment of acute and serious infections such as TB, rabies, hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and infantile pneumonia (root)
Bambusa arundinacea	It is used for stomach and respiratory disorders, menstrual disorders, intestinal worms, wounds, nausea, vomiting, piles, in cough, consumption, asthma and fever. In combination with other astringent medicines it is given in chronic dysentery and internal hemorrhages. The most efficacious application for dislodgement of worms in ulcers is a poultice made by pounding the young shoots of the bamboo. The decoction of the joints is supposed to have an action on the uterus, and is used by females after delivery to cause free flow of the lochial discharge. The same part of the plant pounded with water is applied to inflamed joints. The juice of the flower is dropped in the ear for earache, and in deafness. An ointment from the root is a folk remedy for cirrhosis and hard tumors, especially tumors of the abdomen, liver, spleen and stomach.
Citrus reticulata	In the treatment of dyspepsia, gastro-intestinal distension, cough with profuse phlegm, hiccup and vomiting (pericarp); in the treatment of dyspepsia, gastro-intestinal distension, coughs and profuse phlegm (endocarp); in the treatment of pain in the chest and hypochondrium, gastro-intestinal distension, swelling of the liver and spleen and cirrhosis of the liver (unripened green exocarp); in the treatment of hernia, lumbago, mastitis and pain or swellings of the testes (seeds)
Rhamnus frangula	For chronic atonic constipation and is also used to treat abdominal bloating, hepatitis, cirrhosis, jaundice, and liver and gall bladder complaints; to treat gum diseases and scalp infestations, or as a lotion for minor skin irritations (bark)
Scutellaria barbata	In the treatment of liver, lung and rectal tumors (Wang et al., 1996); hepatitis, cirrhosis, ascites, abscesses, ulcers in stomach, pharyngitis, arthritis, hay fever and poisonous bites (Whole herb); to wounds (plant juice)
Silybum marianum	For arresting bleeding and as a demulcent (seed); as a diaphoretic and gentle laxative (leaf); liver problems such as hepatitis, jaundice and cirrhosis and due to eating fungi containing phalloidine or amantine; in gallstones, for intermittent fevers, dropsy and as emmenagogue (whole plant).
Silybum marianum	For functional disorders of the liver and gallbladder, in cases jaundice, colitis, pleurisy, and diseases of the spleen, for loss of appetite, liver and gall bladder complaints including inflammation of the gall bladder duct, toxic liver disease and hepatic cirrhosis.
Solanum nigrum	Hemorrhoids, liver problems (including cirrhosis), as an emollient, eye-diseases, rat poisoning, skin diseases, oedema, cough, urticarial patches, for achieving conception and to relieve from difficult labour and as a rejuvinative(plant); used externally ease pain and abate inflammation, and are applied to burns and ulcers (fresh leaves); for ringworm, gout and earache, and mixed with vinegar, is said to be good as a gargle and mouthwash (leaf juice); used externally as a poultice, wash etc in the treatment of cancerous sores, boils, leucoderma and wounds (leaves, stem and root); as an analgesic for toothaches (fruit juice).
Taraxacum officinale	Maladies of the liver, gall bladder, bowel and kidney, as a tonic, diuretic, laxative and for increasing the secretion of gastric juices (root); as a compress in rheumatism and complaints due to uric acid accumulation in joint areas (leaf); used internally in the treatment of gall bladder and urinary disorders, gallstones, jaundice, cirrhosis, dyspepsia with constipation, oedema associated with high blood pressure and heart weakness, chronic joint and skin complaints, gout, eczema and acne (plant); used to remove corns, warts and verrucae, has a specific action on inflammations of the gall bladder and is also believed to remove stones in the liver (latex).