Many herbs may be helpful in treating your enlarged liver, or hepatomegaly. According to MayoClinic.com, hepatomegaly describes a liver -- a large organ in your right upper abdomen -- that is larger than usual. Hepatomegaly is not a disease, although it may signal a serious underlying problem, such as liver disease or congestive heart failure. Before taking herbs to help treat your hepatomegaly, talk with your doctor about possible side effects, proper dosage and potential drug interactions.
Dandelion
Dandelion, also known as Taraxacum officinalis, is an herb that may be helpful in treating your enlarged liver. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, dandelion greens are edible and contain significant amounts of vitamin A. Dandelion, a member of the aster family, has a slightly bitter and sweet taste and possesses cooling and drying tendencies. The leaves, flowers and roots of the plant are used medicinally to help treat numerous health problems, including liver diseases. Dr. William A. Mitchell, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Plant Medicine in Practice," states that dandelion has been used to help treat enlargement of both your liver and your spleen. Dandelion, notes Mitchell, contains several important constituents, including terpenes and coumarins. Dandelion should be avoided if you have bile duct obstruction or acute gallbladder inflammation.
Milk Thistle
Milk thistle is a plant native to the Mediterranean regions, although it now grows throughout the world, especially in dry, sunny climates. The seeds of the milk thistle plant are used to help treat various ailments. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that milk thistle, also known as Silybum Marianum, has been used to help treat alcoholic liver disease and viral hepatitis, both of which are known causes of hepatomegaly. According to Dr. Sharol Tilgner, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," milk thistle is an antioxidant, hepatoprotective and hepatorestorative, or a substance that both protects and restores your liver health and function. MIlk thistle may be helpful in treating many liver conditions, including hepatomegaly, hepatitis, fatty liver and liver cirrhosis. It may also be useful in protecting your liver from toxins prior to exposure, notes Tilgner.
Turmeric
Turmeric, a member of the ginger family, is a plant that possesses a bitter and pungent taste and cooling and stimulating tendencies. The rhizome, or underground stem, of the plant is used by practitioners of botanical medicine to help treat health problems or improve your health. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, turmeric has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine to aid digestion and liver function. Ed Smith, an herbalist and author of the book "Therapeutic Herb Manual," states that turmeric is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-hepatotoxic that has been used to help treat poor liver function and liver inflammation. Liver inflammation, or hepatitis, is one of the most common causes of enlarged liver. If you are pregnant, or if you are trying to become pregnant, you should avoid taking turmeric, due to its ability to stimulate your uterus, cautions Tilgner.
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