While there are numerous home remedies that can help to treat a sore liver and relieve the pain, it is extremely important that you visit a doctor if your symptoms last more than a week or two. A sore liver can be a sign of enlarged liver, cirrhosis of the liver or liver cancer, and testing should be done by a qualified doctor as soon as possible.
Burdock Root Essential Oil and Olive Oil
According to Ann Worwood, author of "The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy," a mixture of burdock root essential oil and a carrier oil such as olive oil can be massaged into the area around the liver to help stop pain and promote overall liver health. To make and use this mixture, combine 1 tbsp. burdock root essential oil and 6 tbsp. olive oil in a small container and stir to combine. Gently massage the mixture onto the area around the liver for 10 minutes. There is no need to rinse the mixture from the skin with water or soap as long as no irritation occurs. Unused portions of this mixture can be stored for 60 days in a cool, dark place like a medicine cabinet or kitchen cupboard.
Castor Oil Pack Treatment
According to Bill Gottlieb, author of "Alternative Cures: More than 1,000 of the Most Effective Natural Home Remedies," a castor oil pack can be applied to the abdomen above the liver to help cure a sore liver. To use a castor oil pack, warm ¼ cup castor oil in a small saucepan and dip a clean cotton cloth in the mixture. In the bathtub or in a reclining position, place the castor oil-soaked cotton on the abdomen and leave it on for one hour. Rinse your skin with lukewarm water and pat dry after the allotted time. You do not have to wash with soap unless the mixture bothers your skin or causes irritation or redness. This treatment can be used daily.
Cypress Essential Oil and Geranium Essential Oil
According to Colleen Kaye Dodt, author of "The Essential Oils Book: Creating Personal Blends for Mind & Body," cypress essential oil and geranium essential oil is commonly used to treat a sore liver and promote overall liver health and detoxification. To use cypress and geranium essential oils, combine ½ tsp. cypress essential oil and ½ tsp. geranium essential oil in a bathtub half-full with warm water. Get in the bathtub and continue filling until full. Soak in the water for 30 minutes before rinsing with cool water and patting the skin dry with a clean towel. This remedy can be used daily as long as no irritation to the skin occurs.
References
- "The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy"; Ann Worwood; 1991
- "Alternative Cures: More than 1,000 of the Most Effective Natural Home Remedies"; Bill Gottlieb; 2008
- "The Essential Oils Book: Creating Personal Blends for Mind & Body"; Colleen Kaye Dodt; 2006
