According to the CDC, hepatitis C is the most common blood-borne infection in the United States: up to 85 percent of infected individuals develop chronic liver infection or liver disease, amounting for approximately 3 million Americans. Many of the people who are infected with hepatitis C experience few or no symptoms, and are therefore unaware of the infection and its potential complications. There are many treatment options for hepatitis C, including antiviral herbs, though these are not a substitute for conventional medical care.
Milk Thistle
Silybum marianum, commonly called milk thistle, has been used for over 2,000 years to treat ailments of the liver and gallbladder. The plant is native to the Mediterranean region. It has a spiny stem, purple flowers and leaves with white veins. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that one of milk thistle's active substances, a flavonoid called silymarin, protects the liver from toxin-induced damage. The herb also shows anti-inflammaotry properties, and it may help the liver repair itself by growing new cells. Milk thistle is available as capsules, liquid extract and tincture, and is generally regarded as safe, though it can interact with certain medications and should therefore be used under the guidance of a health care provider.
Licorice
Glycerrhiza glabra, commonly called licorice, has a long history of use in both Eastern and Western medical approaches. The herb grows mostly in Greece, Turkey and Asia, and the root is used for medicine. Licorice is used for a wide variety of conditions, such as gastrointestinal ailments and adrenal insufficiency, as well as viral infections such as hepatitis. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, or NCCAM, a division of the National Institutes of Health, notes that in clinical trials, an injectable form of licorice extract has shown beneficial effects specifically for hepatitis C. The NCCAM adds that scientific data is lacking on the efficacy of using oral forms of licorice for hepatitis C. Licorice should be used cautiously by individuals with high blood pressure or those taking pharmaceutical medication. Licorice root is available as a tea, powder, capsule, tablet and liquid extract.
Lomatium
Lomatium dissectum, also called desert parsley, is the most well-known and commonly studied species in the Lomatium genus. The lomatium plant is native to western North America, and it was widely used by local Native American tribes to treat chest problems and skin complaints. A main use was for infections of the lungs, and it is known for its antiviral effects throughout the body. According to Natural Standard, an authoritative database for integrative medicine, lomatium has been used historically to treat hepatitis C, although the site cautions that scientific evidence of its effects are lacking. Desert parsley is available in extract, tincture and capsule form. Natural Standard reports that the herb is possibly safe when taken in doses reported in traditional sources, although it may be unsafe for people with bleeding disorders or for those taking anticoagulants.
