Herbals for Managing HCV

There are many extremely powerful herbs that have been used to treat various symptoms of hepatitis for centuries. Some of them are very effective, especially with clear cut problems like jaundice. However, the application of herbs to their more subtle symptoms of HCV may require the knowledge of an experienced herbalist.

Herbs can be used to treat specific symptoms or problems that may be related to or caused by hepatitis C. Or herbs may be used to target the underlying condition of chronic viral hepatitis. If you choose Western herbal medicine as your primary means of treatment it is very important that you consult an experienced herbalist who can help you develop a treatment strategy. Some
symptoms may be cleared quickly, while others may require ongoing treatment.

There are some herbs that have a general appeal to HCV+ people because they contain substances that have anti-viral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, blood-purifying, interferon stimulating and immune boosting qualities. Some have properties that are more specific to HCV related symptoms.

Nutritionists, "Natural Medicine" practitioners and many medical doctors, prescribe herbal remedies for many liver disorders, including hepatitis C. The following list is a compilation of Western herbs that are repeatedly found in publications or resources specifically about Hepatitis C and related symptoms.

There a wide variety of herbs and plants that are used for improving liver conditions:

* Alfalfa
* Aloe Vera (aloeaceae)
* Artichoke (Cynara scolymus)
* Artemisia (Common Wormwood, Green Ginger)
* Asparagus
* Astralagus (Huang Chi, atralagus membranaceus)
* Bai Zhu
* Baical Skullcap (Huang Qin, Radix scutellariae baicalensis)
* Barberry (Pipperidge Bush, Berberis vulgaris)
* Barley Leaf
* Black Cohash (Black Snake Root, Bugbane, Cimicufaga racemosa)
* Black Root (Leptandra Virginica)
* Blessed Thistle (Holy Thistle,Cnicus benedictus)
* Bloodroot
* Boldo
* Boneset
* Bupleurum (Chai Hu, Thorough Wax, Buplerum chinense, umbeliferae)
* Burdock Root (Lappa, Fox's clote, Beggar's Buttons, Arctium lappa)
* Cai Hu
* Californian Buckthorn (Sacred Bark, Chittem Bark, Cascara sagrada, Rhamnus purshiane, Rhamnaceae)
* Cats Claw (Unicaria tomentosa)
* Celandine, Greater (Garden Celandine, Chelidonium majus, Papaveraceae)
* Cen Phi
* Chaparral (Larrea tridentata, Zygophyllaceae)
* Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale, Compositae)
* Dang Gui
* Dang Shen
* Desmodium (Desmodium ascendens;Papillonaceae)
* Echinacea (Snakeroot, Purple Coneflower, Echinacea angustifolia, E. purpurea)
* Elder Flowers (Sambucus nigra, S. canadensis; Caprifoliaceae)
* Euphorbia (Phyllanthus;Euphorbiaceae subspecies amara and niruri)
* Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum; Leguminosae)
* Fringe Tree Root Bark (Cortex Radicus chionanthi; Chionanthus virginicus)
* Gan Cao
* Garlic
* Gentian Root (Yellow Gentian; Gentiana lutea; Gentianaceae)
* Ginger Root
* Gingko Leaf (Ginko Nut, Maidenhair Tree, Gingko Biloba; Gingkoaceae)
* Ginseng, American ( Five Fingers; Panax quinquefolium; Araliaceae)
* Ginseng, Siberian (Touch-Me-Not, Devil's Bush; Eleutherococcus senticosus, Araliaceae)
* Globe Artichoke
* Golden Seal (Puccoon Root, Yellowroot; Hydrastis canadensis; Ranunculaceae)
* Grape Seed Extract
* Green Tea
* Huang Qui
* Licorice (Gan T'sao;Glycyrrhiza glabra; Leguminosae)
* Milk-Vetch Root
* Milk Thistle/Silymarin
* Olive Leaf Extract
* Oregon Grape Root (Mahonia aquifolium, M. repens; Berberidaceae)
* Pau D'Arco (Tabebuia, Ipe Roxo; Tabebuia avellanedae; Bignoniaceae)
* Peony Root (Shao Yao; Paeonia lactiflora; Ranunculaceae)
* Phyllanthus Urinaria
* Psyllium Seeds (Plantago ovata, P. psyllium; Plantaginaceae)
* Red Root
* Reishi Mushroom
* Sarsaparilla (Sarsaparilla officinalis, Smilax officinalis; Liliaceae)
* Schisandra
* Sheng Giang
* Shiitake Mushroom
* Siberian Ginseng
* Silymarin/Milk Thistle
* Slippery Elm Bark (Red Elm; Ulmus rubra; Ulmaceae)
* St. John's Wort (Hypercium perforatum; Hypericaceae)
* St. Mary's Thistle
* Suma (Para Toda, Brazilian Ginseng,Pfaffia Paniculata; Amaranthaceae)
* Wild Oregon Grape
* Wild Yam (Colicroot, Rheumatism Root; Dioscorea villosa; Dioscoreaceae)
* Yellow Dock (Curly Dock; Rumex crispus; Polygonaceae)

Safety Issues & Self-Prescribing

Skill and experience are needed to prescribe herbs correctly. Herbs can have unpredictable effects, especially when taken in combination. It is therefore not a good idea to go out and buy a selection of herbs listed in our reports and just use them randomly.

If you have hepatitis C (or any health condition) it is particularly important to be aware of the power of herbs and the possibility of undesirable side effects. People with HCV may be more vulnerable to such side effects. It is recommended that you consult a qualified herbalist.

Some people with clear cut medical conditions that do not have access to an herbalist may choose to try single-herb treatment. It is strongly suggested that you use only one herb at a time if you are self-prescribing. If you encounter any problems stop taking the herb immediately and get some medical advice.