Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis of the liver leads to the inflammation,
degeneration and scarring of functional liver tissue.
The disease is serious because the liver fulfills many vital purposes in the body,
including the removal of toxins. The disease is
irreversible, though its progress can usually be
halted. Symptoms are vague, and often appear
only when the condition is severe. Fatigue,
nausea, appetite and
weight loss, bloating,
bowel irregularities and pressure just under the
right ribs are the first signs. Bruising occurs
easily because blood clotting is disturbed.
Muscles sag, and the ankles and abdomen swell
with water because the body lacks proteins,
which the liver can no longer convert into a
usable form. The lips, tongue and palms exhibit
a shiny red color, and the skin and the whites
of the eyes become yellow with jaundice.
Milk-white nails also indicate cirrhosis. This is often
accompanied by itching allover the body. In
later stages, men become impotent and
develop small breasts, and women stop
menstruating because the body's hormones can no
longer be detoxified. If cirrhosis continues, the
brain becomes affected with toxins the liver
can no longer eliminate, leading to mental
confusion and, finally, coma.
About half of liver cirrhosis cases are caused by
long-term alcohol abuse. The safe level of
alcohol consumption varies widely for each
individual. Generally, women are much more prone
to cirrhosis from alcohol consumption. Other
causes of liver cirrhosis are lack of magnesium,
long chloroform narcosis, infection with the
hepatitis virus; and, rarely, an autoimmune
disorder or other inflammatory liver diseases.
Supplements and herbs
Since the liver is responsible for converting
vitamins into a form the body can use, vitamin
deficiencies are common in cirrhosis.
Supplementation combined with a strict diet
can replace these deficiencies and encourage
recovery.
Choline and
methionine are highly
recommended to help protect the liver from damage.
When an improved diet is followed, these
supplements can help reverse cirrhosis.
The B vitamins are highly dependent on the
liver and usually need replacement. Vitamin B12
is particularly important and is best absorbed in a
sublingual tablet that dissolves under the tongue.
Vitamin C protects the body and liver from
damage by environmental and dietary toxins.
A good multivitamin should also be added to the regimen to compensate for other
deficiencies. The liver stores the fat-soluble vitamins A, D and E which should
also be supplemented until health is restored.
Herbs can effectively support a change in diet
to strengthen the liver and eliminate toxins.
- Milk thistle seeds protect liver cell
membranes and toxic substances are neutralized
by the thistle's silymarin content. Milk thistle
encourages liver cell renewal and repair. For best
results, take 3 cups of milk thistle tea daily, a half
hour before meals. Make tea with 1 tsp. crushed
milk thistle seeds and 1 cup boiling water and
steep for ten minutes. Add a few leaves of
peppermint to flavor.
- To improve circulation, combine 2 tbsp. each
of horsetail,
St. John's wort,
lemon balm, yarrow
and chicory. Pour 1 cup boiling water over 1
tbsp. of this mix. Steep for ten minutes, strain
and sip 1 cup slowly two to three times daily, one
half hour before meals.
- Dandelion stimulates liver functions and
promotes bile flow. Take 1 tbsp. of fresh juice
before meals, three times daily.
- Black radish relaxes biliary ducts and also
promotes bile flow. Take 1 tbsp. of fresh
black radish juice before meals, three times
daily.
- Stinging nettle purifies the liver and
eliminates toxins. Take 1 tbsp. of fresh juice
before meals, three times daily.
- Take 1 tbsp. of fresh artichoke juice before
meals, three times daily to strengthen the
liver and improve its detoxifying ability.
- Red beet juice helps rebuild and strengthen
the detoxification process. Take 1 tbsp.,
three to four times daily.
- Place a hot hay flower pack over liver and
massage the whole body regularly.
What else you can do
- In acute cases, bedrest and diet are of utmost importance.
- Regular warm packs and hydrotherapy
douches for the liver are beneficial to increase
circulation and remove toxins.
How much to take
- Choline, 1,000 mg
- Methionine, 1,000 mg
- Vitamin B complex, 100 mg
- Vitamin B12 sublingual tablet, 1,000 mcg
- Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids,
1,000 mg three times daily
- Multivitamin, as directed on the label
- Vitamin A, 10,000 IU
- Vitamin E, 400-800 IU
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