Many people around the world live with conditions that affect the liver, including cirrhosis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), alcoholic liver disease, liver cancer, liver failure, and hepatitis (1Trusted Source).
Every year, liver disease accounts for nearly 2 million deaths worldwide (2Trusted Source, 3Trusted Source).
Risk factors for liver disease include heavy alcohol intake, high blood sugar levels, obesity, high blood pressure, viruses, elevated triglyceride and cholesterol levels, and more (4Trusted Source, 5Trusted Source).
Liver disease is treated in a number of ways, including medication, nutritional therapy, immunotherapy, lifestyle change, surgical resection, and even liver transplant in end stage liver disease (6Trusted Source, 7Trusted Source, 8Trusted Source, 9Trusted Source).
In addition to standard treatments, many people turn to alternative therapies, including herbal supplements, in hopes of improving and protecting their liver health. In fact, around 65% of people in the United States and Europe with liver diseases take herbal supplements (10Trusted Source).
Here are the 10 best herbs that have been shown to improve liver health.
There are studies that link psoriasis and the functioning of the liver. Herbs such as dandelion and milk thistle can assist with supporting the liver and, in turn, help with psoriasis symptoms.
Dandelion is high in nutrients including vitamins A, B, C, D, iron, and potassium. It may assist with constipation, bloating, and water retention. Dandelion root may help with the joints, which is great for those with psoriatic arthritis. It’s an amazing herb for supporting the liver in cleansing, in addition to milk thistle.
Milk thistle has certain properties that protect liver cells from free radicals and toxins. Milk thistle has been said to help with improving energy, depression, headaches, and toxic poisoning. It’s also been known to aid in recovery from alcohol, drugs, liver diseases, and medications that damage the liver. Psoriasis patients often try several medications over the years that can affect the liver, so incorporating milk thistle tea into the regimen could be very beneficial.
There are many herbs that have properties that are great for the skin. Herbs that are high in certain minerals and vitamins, and help with the lymphatic system, are the best herbs for skin health. The lymphatic system is a network of vessels that helps move fluid through the body. Our lymph nodes filter out the viruses, bacteria, waste, and toxins. However, sometimes our lymph nodes can become congested, and when the lymphatic system isn’t functioning properly, this may lead to skin conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea. Some lymphatic herbs include cleavers, calendula, pau d’arco, and yellow dock.
Cleavers tea helps prevent lymphatic buildup and cleanses the lymphatic system. This herb can also be used as a skin wash for certain skin conditions.
Calendula, also known as marigold, helps with lymph congestion and has been used as a skin wash as well. It’s also beneficial for the digestive tract, which is great since gut health and psoriasis are connected.
Pau d’arco contains iron, calcium, selenium, and vitamins A, B-complex, and C. It also contains magnesium, sodium, potassium, manganese, zinc, and phosphorus. It has the ability to support the lymphatic system and liver as well. My favorite benefit of pau d’arco is its assistance with controlling candida. There’s so much research surrounding the link between candida and psoriasis. This herb helps with controlling these fungi because it’s antifungal, antimicrobial, an immune booster, and full of nutrients.
Yellow dock has cleansing properties that may assist with bile and lymph flow. It’s been used in baths to help with itchy skin. Yellow dock is beneficial to the liver and high in iron.
Oatstraw and red clover are additional lymphatic herbs that contain certain vitamins and minerals that contribute to skin health. These two herbs have both been used as skin washes as well.
My favorite way to get the amazing benefits of these herbs is through herbal tea. Capsules and tinctures are available as well. I’ve incorporated herbal tea using the herbs mentioned as a part of my routine, and it has made a significant difference with my psoriasis.
blogpay
