Herbal Medicine For Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a viral illness that causes liver inflammation. Hepatitis C, notes the National Center for Biotechnology Information, does not usually cause symptoms in infected individuals. There are many possible causes of and risk factors for hepatitis C, some of which are lifestyle based and others that are workplace based. Herbal medicine may be a helpful adjunct therapy for hepatitis C, but you should only use herbs after you have discussed the risks and benefits with your physician.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C, reports the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, may affect people born to a mother with this condition, people who use illegal injection drugs and people who have had sexual intercourse with an infected person. Although most people do not experience symptoms associated with this condition, possible symptoms include abdominal pain and swelling, esophageal bleeding, dark urine, fever, fatigue, itching, jaundice and reduced appetite. Hepatitis C is a leading cause of chronic liver disease among Americans, notes PubMed Health.

Herbal Medicines

Herbal medicines have long been used in treating hepatitis C, although few herbal medicines have yet been proven effective in treating this condition or its complications using contemporary scientific testing methods. Nutrition researcher Phyllis A. Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," states that several herbs may be helpful in some individuals with hepatitis C -- the most serious form of hepatitis. These herbs include artichoke, burdock, dandelion, fumitory, licorice, ligustrum, milk thistle, olive leaf, phyllanthus, schizandra, scutellaria and turmeric.

Featured Botanical

Milk thistle is a botanical remedy that may be beneficial in treating your hepatitis C. Milk thistle extract, reports Balch, contains a substance called silymarin. Silymarin is a flavonoid that may be helpful in healing and rebuilding your damaged liver. Balch recommends taking 200 to 400 mg of milk thistle daily, either in capsule or alcohol-free extract form. Before using this botanical remedy to treat your hepatitis C, discuss proper dosage with a botanically trained health care professional.

Considerations

It is common for people with hepatitis C to develop other health problems, including liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. If you get hepatitis C, discuss all possible treatment strategies with your family doctor. A health care practitioner trained in herbal medicine can counsel you on the possible merits and drawbacks of herbal remedies in the treatment of this condition, side effects and safety issues associated with herbs and the efficacy of herbal medicine in treating this condition.