Most people interested in natural medicine recognize the importance of the liver to health. Official medicine, on the other hand, shows little interest in it. It offers us vaccination against hepatitis B (a disaster) and liver transplants... when it's already too late. Natural medicine, on the other hand, harnesses the wonders of nature to preserve our liver or heal it when it's sick.

The liver, essential to life

The liver is the body's largest gland, which enables it to carry out a colossal amount of work that is essential to life. Without going into too much detail, we can summarize the liver's activity in 3 functions:

1. METABOLIC: the liver plays a major role in the metabolism of sugars, proteins and fats.
2. SYNTHESIS: proteins from amino acids, cholesterol and bile salts, which make up the bile essential for fat absorption.
3. PURIFICATION: The liver detoxifies most of the "poisons" absorbed from the diet, including medications, transforming them into non-toxic compounds. Together with the kidneys, it eliminates the waste produced by our metabolism.

Preserving our liver

A healthy liver is fundamental to good health. Unfortunately, it suffers a great deal throughout our lives, as the factors that attack the liver are many and varied. First and foremost is the incredible consumption of drugs that characterizes our society. 

I'm thinking in particular of antidepressants, sleeping pills and antibiotics, as well as the contraceptive pill, which is unnecessary but toxic to the liver. I'm also thinking of our diet, which is too rich, adulterated or contaminated by pesticides and preservatives. 

Alcohol abuse (France holds a sad record in this respect) is also a major factor in liver suffering.
That's why I advise all my patients to undertake a liver cleansing and revitalization cure several times a year. 

Phytotherapy offers many remedies for this, including dandelion, artichoke, milk thistle and fumitory. I get the most spectacular results with cynara cardunculus.

Cynara, our liver's great friend

Cynara cardunculus (wild artichoke) is a perennial plant that has been acclimatized and selected in France to produce oil. It can grow to human height, with a short, thick trunk. Cynara Cardunculus oil is obtained by cold-pressing the seeds. 

This oil is the only one on the world market to contain Silymarin in solution, i.e. the most bioavailable. Sylmarin is a powerful regenerator and detoxifier of liver cells. The product's action is based on its high concentration of essential fatty acids, vitamin E, provitamin A and bioavailable Silymarin.

The product is particularly suitable for liver cleansing cures, and is recommended for contraceptive pill users and regular alcohol consumers.

It is also indicated in the following cases:

• Hepatic degeneration produced by acute or chronic hepatitis or toxic-metabolic hepatitis: alcohol abuse, diabetes, chemotherapy.
• Cirrhosis or pre-cirrhosis.
• Stressful situations.
• Fatigue and convalescence.
• Dermatitis, eczema and excessive drying of the skin.
• Dysmenorrhea and amenorrhea - mastitis - fertility problems.
• Dieting - hypercholesterolemia.
• Constipation.

Usual dose: 3 capsules in the morning on an empty stomach.
In cases of severe liver disease: 6 per day: 3 in the morning on an empty stomach and 3 in the evening at bedtime.

Viral hepatitis

Hepatitis is an acute inflammation of the liver caused by a virus. The 3 most frequently encountered viruses are A, B and C, but other viral diseases (such as mononucleosis) can also cause hepatitis. 

However, only hepatitis B and C can become chronic, with the risk of developing cirrhosis or liver cancer. The treatment of viral hepatitis using natural medicine gives spectacular results, but it is important to distinguish between the acute phase (during the illness) and the chronic phase (after-effects of an old hepatitis).

Desmodium, a remedy for acute hepatitis

Desmodium is a herbaceous legume used by traditional healers in the African forest to treat various viral liver diseases.
Acute hepatitis, characterized by signs such as yellow complexion, fatigue, digestive problems and increased transaminases in the blood, improves within a week, and disappears in 2 to 4 weeks with Desmodium.

Usual dose: 3 x 2 capsules/ day as an attack and 3×1 capsule/ day as maintenance.
I combine Desmodium with a great homeopathic remedy for hepatitis: Phosphorus.
You can buy a tube of Phophorus 7 CH and 15 CH granules at your pharmacy.
Phosphorus 7 CH: 3 granules once a day.
Phosphorus 15 CH : 3 granules on days 8, 16, 24 and 32 (do not take the 7 CH on these days).

A remedy for chronic hepatitis B or C

Since conventional medicine has few solutions to offer in the case of chronic hepatitis (interferon gives very few good results), this formula offers a natural alternative, with no side effects, and a positive response rate of almost 80%.
It consists of a complex of relatively rare plants that are active against the viruses responsible for chronic hepatitis. 

Bupleurum falcatum is a Japanese plant with antiviral properties for measles, herpes and hepatitis.
Phyllanthus amarus is an annual herbaceous plant from the Indo-Malaysia region with antiviral properties. Gambir leaf is active against hepatitis, as is Jiaogulan, a Chinese plant. 

Turmeric, a plant cultivated mainly in India, has antiviral and hepatoprotective properties, while Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice root extract) is used in the treatment of cirrhosis and chronic viral hepatitis. N-acetyl-cysteine, which inhibits replication of the hepatitis B virus, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B6 and selenium complete the formula.

Usual dose:
In case of major liver disorders (chronic viral hepatitis):
3 x 2 capsules a day for 2 months, then 4 capsules a day for 6 months.
In case of cirrhosis :
3 x 2 capsules a day for 6 months, then 4 capsules a day for 1 year.
SAMe can be usefully combined to treat serious liver diseases such as hepatitis and cirrhosis.

Liver protection during chemotherapy treatments

Prevention of the hepato-digestive effects of cancer chemotherapy is also a good indication for desmodium. Take 3 x 2 capsules/day, starting 2 to 3 days before chemotherapy and continuing, if possible, for the duration of the chemotherapy. Stop when the digestive system has returned to normal.

Organic Silicium's many properties make it a good partner for Desmodium in minimizing the many side effects of cancer chemotherapy.

What about the gallbladder?

Every day, the liver produces around 1 liter of bile, which is stored in the gallbladder before being expelled into the intestine. Bile is absolutely essential for fat digestion. Some people (especially if they eat a fatty diet) secrete excessively thick, muddy bile. 

This phenomenon can be the cause of certain digestive discomforts known as liver attacks. When the phenomenon worsens, the gallbladder can become the site of gallstones, responsible for the hepatic colitis crisis. The natural treatment for liver attacks is Cynavital, 6 capsules a day: 3 in the morning on an empty stomach and 3 in the evening at bedtime. In the case of gallstones, the following preparation is also recommended:

Dissolution and evacuation of biliary and renal calculi

• Take a fist-sized black radish and slice, leaving the skins on. 
• Add a tablespoon of flaxseed and a pinch of blackcurrant leaves. 
• Boil in a liter of water, and when the liquid has reduced to half its original volume, strain through cheesecloth.
• Pour into a bottle and add half a liter of brandy (40-45°).
• Leave the mixture to stand for 2 to 3 days.
• Take a shot glass of this solution in the morning on rising and in the evening at bedtime.
• Treatment should be continued for 20 days, interrupted for 20 days and then resumed if necessary.

By Dr Thierry Schmitz