QandA

Article Tools

Image Gallery

Print

E-mail

Comments

RSS

Terry Willard is a clinical herbalist, president of the Canadian Association of Herbal Practitioners and founder of the Wild Rose College of Natural Healing in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He is the author of eight books and a CD-ROM, Interactive Herbal.

HEPATITIS C HELP

I have a friend who has hepatitis C. Can you give me some information about herbs that can help her, such as information about boosting her immune system? Anything will be helpful.
L.B.
Ridgedale, Missouri

Stansbury responds: Glad to see friends helping friends. Even though huge numbers of people are being diagnosed with hepatitis C, the disease remains a bit mysterious and variable in its course.

Herbs known to support the immune system and have antiviral activity may be helpful. These include turmeric, astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus), phyllanthus (Phyllanthus spp.), licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) and bupleurum (Bupleurum chinense). The Good Guy in this immune-system drama is interferon, an antiviral protein produced by white blood cells that have been invaded by a virus, which then inhibits the virus’ ability to replicate itself. The leading drug used to treat hepatitis C is an “interferon-like” substance. But instead of using an interferon imitator, why not boost the levels of this warrior and let it go after the Bad Guys? Herbs noted to help promote interferon levels in the body include astragalus, chlorella (a blue-green algae), echinacea (Echinacea spp.), boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum), licorice, shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) and dandelion roots (Taraxacum officinale).

In addition to immune or antiviral options, herbs and nutrients noted to protect the liver, reduce inflammation and reduce fatty infiltration and cirrhosis are highly recommended. These include milk thistle (Silybum marianum), Oregon grape root (Mahonia aquifolium), dandelion and turmeric. Liver-supportive foods include cabbage, beets, carrots, artichokes and radishes. Nutrients that research shows can reduce liver inflammation and cirrhosis include glutathione, SAM-e, methionine, carnitine and taurine.

The development of hepatitis C can be sudden and acute, with malaise, digestive symptoms and sky-high liver enzymes and viral load. This acute form of the disease requires an aggressive approach with a number of these herbs and supplements given at frequent dosages for one to two months. But hepatitis C also can be present with only mild symptoms — or none at all — with only minimally elevated liver enzymes. In the latter case, milk thistle and turmeric plus a nutrient or two would be my treatment choice, and I would ask the patient to check back with me in two to three months.

RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print