Your liver and kidneys serve as internal housekeepers in making sure toxins and waste products reach their final destination outside of your body. You liver is your body's major detoxifying organ and your overall health and energy levels are a reflection of your liver's state of health, says Dr. Geraldine Mitton, author of the book, "Geraldine Mitton's Anti-Aging Handbook." Your kidneys ceaselessly filter wastes out of the blood and maintain proper blood pressure and electrolyte balance. Certain herbs are believed to offer assistance to these hard-working organs. Check with your doctor before using herbs for a medical condition.
Milk Thistle
Milk thistle protects your liver by making your liver's cells more impervious to free-radical and toxin attack, says David Rakel, M.D., in his book "Integrative Medicine." Silymarin, the active ingredient in milk thistle, has been used successfully to treat liver toxicity from ingestion of poisonous mushrooms. On a more everyday basis, milk thistle protects the liver against damaging effects of pesticide residues, drugs and other environmental toxins. Silymarin also works by raising levels of important antioxidants such as glutathione and superoxide dismutase and prevents scar tissue formation. Milk thistle side effects are rare when taken in standard dose levels of 300 mg of the whole herb or 210 mg of silymarin extract three times per day.
Bupleurum
The herb Bupleurum, also known as Chinese Thoroughwax, provides anti-inflammatory properties on the order of the steroid hormone prednisolone, according to Michale Tierra, L.Ac., O.M.D., writing in his book "The Way of Herbs," and can inhibit cancer by promoting apoptosis -- programmed cell death -- and cutting off blood supply to cancerous tumors. Dandelion, another standard herb in traditional herbal medicine for the liver, balances digestive enzymes, inhibits cancer and enhances immune function. All parts of the dandelion plant are used; however, a tea made from the root is most commonly used for liver treatment.
Hydrangea
The hydrangea in your front yard might hold the key to your kidneys' health and happiness. The root from this popular ornamental shrub contains compounds that can help dissolve calcium buildup in the kidneys that can eventually lead to kidney stones, says Bruce Fife, N.D.. Use 20 to 30 drops of hydrangea root extract -- obtained from a reputable manufacturer to ensure purity and safety -- per day in divided doses. Pair hydrangea root with parsley, which provides strong diuretic effects to flush excess calcium and other waster products. An herb called uva ursi, also known as bearberry, offers diuretic and antibacterial properties to help heal and inhibit kidney infections. Marshmallow root contains mucilaginous compounds that offer soothing properties to heal kidney inflammation.
Astragalus and Angelica Sinensis
The herbs Astragalus and Angelica sinensis are used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat kidney conditions. A study published in the September 2010 issue of the journal "Planta Medica" found these herbs provided kidney-protective effects in laboratory animals. Doses of 14 mg per kg body weight reduced scar tissue formation, decreasing oxidation and regulating calcium and phosphate metabolism. A study by researchers at the University of Southern California, published in the April 2011 issue of the "Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine," identified a variety of compounds in Chinese herbs used for kidney health, including antioxidant compounds such as flavonoids and lignins and anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids.
References
- "The Detox Book"; Bruce Fife, N.D.; 2001
- "Planta Medica"; Altered Expression of Genes Profiles Modulated by a Combination of Astragali Radix and Angelicae Sinensis Radix in Obstructed Rat Kidney.; L. Meng, et al.; September 2010
- "Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine"; Phytochemical Analysis of Medicinal Plants with Kidney Protective Activities; E. Lien, et al.; April 2011
- "Integrative Medicine"; David Rakel, M.D.; 2007
- "The Way of Herbs"; Michael Tierra, L.Ac., O. M.D.; 1998
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