Digestive Health More Digestive Diseases Three Herbs for Liver Health By Cathy Wong facebook twitter Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health. Learn about our editorial process Cathy Wong Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Priyanka Chugh, MD on January 27, 2020 linkedin Priyanka Chugh, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist and Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Learn about our Medical Review Board Priyanka Chugh, MD on January 27, 2020 Print Maximilian Stock Ltd. / Photographer's Choice / Getty Images More in Digestive Health More Digestive Diseases Daily Care Bloating & Gas Exams & Procedures Celiac Disease Constipation Diarrhea Inflammatory Bowel Disease Irritable Bowel Syndrome Peptic Ulcer Disease Heartburn SIBO Gallbladder Disease Stomach Flu Hemorrhoids View All Many proponents of herbal medicine suggest using herbs to enhance the health of your liver, an organ responsible for clearing toxins from your body. Indeed, some research shows that certain herbs may help fight liver disorders like cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) or infections like hepatitis B and hepatitis C (viruses known to cause inflammation in the liver). Here's a look at several herbs that show promise as a natural means of boosting liver health. Milk Thistle Milk thistle may benefit people with cirrhosis of the liver, according to a report published in 2001. Analyzing five clinical trials (with a total of 602 cirrhosis patients), researchers determined that treatment with milk thistle could lead to a significant reduction in liver-related mortality. In a research review published in 2005, scientists looked at several clinical trials testing the use of milk thistle in the treatment of hepatitis C and hepatitis B. Although the review's authors found no evidence that milk thistle can help clear any type of hepatitis virus from the body, some research suggests that milk thistle may help curb inflammation associated with hepatitis C and protect against damage to liver cells. Can Milk Thistle Actually Help Detox the Liver? Turmeric Preliminary research indicates that turmeric may be useful in the treatment of hepatitis B and hepatitis C. In a 2009 study on liver cells, for instance, scientists discovered that turmeric extract helped stop the hepatitis B virus from replicating. A test-tube study published in 2010, meanwhile, demonstrated that turmeric extract might help suppress the replication of the hepatitis C virus. The Health Benefits of Turmeric Burdock Burdock (an herb often used as a natural detox remedy) may help shield liver cells from acetaminophen-induced damage, according to an animal study published in 2000. In tests on mice, scientists found that antioxidants in burdock may lessen the harmful effects of toxic substances formed from the metabolism of acetaminophen, a medication widely used to relieve pain. Other animal-based research suggests that burdock may also help protect the liver from damage caused by alcohol consumption. The Health Benefits of Burdock Using Herbs for Liver Conditions Given the lack of clinical trials to support their use, neither turmeric nor burdock can currently be recommended for treatment of any type of liver disease. Since the scientific support for milk thistle's liver-protecting effects is also limited, it's also too soon to recommend this herb as a principal treatment for liver problems. Always remember that animal research results cannot automatically be applied to humans. To enhance your liver health every day, the American Liver Foundation encourages following a healthy diet, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting your alcohol intake, keeping your cholesterol in check, and washing your hands frequently (in order to prevent infection). If you're considering the use of herbs for liver health, make sure to consult your physician before beginning treatment. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Gas pain? Stool issues? Sign up for the best tips to take care of your stomach. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Latief U, Ahmad R. Herbal remedies for liver fibrosis: A review on the mode of action of fifty herbs. J Tradit Complement Med. 2018;8(3):352-360. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2017.07.002 Saller R, Meier R, Brignoli R. The use of silymarin in the treatment of liver diseases. Drugs. 2001;61(14):2035-63. doi: 10.2165/00003495-200161140-00003 Mayer KE, Myers RP, Lee SS. Silymarin treatment of viral hepatitis: a systematic review. J Viral Hepat. 2005;12(6):559-67. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2893.2005.00636.x Kim HJ, Yoo HS, Kim JC, et al. Antiviral effect of Curcuma longa Linn extract against hepatitis B virus replication. J Ethnopharmacol. 2009;124(2):189-96. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2009.04.046 Kim K, Kim KH, Kim HY, Cho HK, Sakamoto N, Cheong J. Curcumin inhibits hepatitis C virus replication via suppressing the Akt-SREBP-1 pathway. FEBS Lett. 2010;584(4):707-12. doi:10.1016/j.febslet.2009.12.019 Lin SC, Chung TC, Lin CC, et al. Hepatoprotective effects of Arctium lappa on carbon tetrachloride- and acetaminophen-induced liver damage. Am J Chin Med. 2000;28(2):163-73. doi:10.1142/S0192415X00000210