The liver is the largest internal organ in the body. It serves as the a filter to help eliminate toxins from the blood. The liver produces bile, which helps digest food and process nutrients. Alcohol and most medications end up in the liver, which filters these substances from the bloodstream. Viruses such as hepatitis C can damage the liver, as can overexposure to certain medications and alcohol. A healthy, functioning liver keeps your blood clean and helps your body make the best use of vital nutrients.
Milk Thistle
Melissa Palmer, M.D., author of a guide to herbs and liver disease, cites milk thistle, or Silybum marianum, as the most common herb used in the treatment of liver ailments. Though originally thought to help nursing mothers produce more milk, milk thistle was a popular treatment for liver ailments as far back as Pliny the Elder, who lived C.E. 23-79. The active ingredient, silymarin, is concentrated in the seeds of the plant. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), silymarin strengthens the structure of liver cells and may help repair damage to these cells. Milk thistle is available in capsule or liquid form or as a tincture. There is no set dosage for milk thistle, but UMMC suggests 280 to 450 mg a day.
Licorice
The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that injections of the licorice Glycyrrhiza glabra have been used in Japan to treat cirrhosis of the liver. Licorice plants grow up to 7 feet tall. The therapeutic portion of licorice is the roots, which are used as a flavoring as well as for medicinal purposes. The active ingredient in licorice is glycyrrhiza acid. In a 1997 study at the University of Texas, glycyrrhiza acid demonstrated antiviral properties when administered to mice. All the studies were done using injectable forms. There is no set recommendation for oral dosage.
Turmeric
A popular flavoring for curry, mustard and other foods, turmeric has also been used as a medicinal herb. In Ayurvedic medicine, turmeric, or Curcuma domestica, is used to treat liver disease. Animal studies in India, reported in the journal "Toxicology," have suggested that curcumin can protect the liver from harmful toxins. According to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, is an anti-inflammatory and stimulates the production of bile. Turmeric is available in capsule form, but there is no established dosage for treating the liver.
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