The traditional medicine system of India, known as Ayurveda, is considered to be the oldest and most comprehensive holistic health system known. Its written form dates back 5,000 years and it has been faithfully preserved and followed up to modern times. A multitude of plant foods, botanical extracts, spices and fruits are used in traditional Indian healing for their purported medicinal effects, including beneficial properties for liver health. Some of these properties have been substantiated in scientific trials.
Coriander, Fennel, Cumin and Turmeric
Coriander, fennel, cumin and turmeric are all helpful herbs for gently improving liver function, according to Dr. David Frawley, author of the book "Ayurvedic Healing: A Comprehensive Guide." Use these to spice up your cooking or brew them individually or in complementary combinations to make soothing teas that decongest the liver and promote healthy appetite. You can also use mint, lemon and lime in similar ways. A laboratory animal study published in the July 2011 issue of the "Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences" found that coriander extract contains high levels of antioxidant compounds that protected the liver from damaging effects of carbon tetrachloride, a common industrial chemical and known carcinogen. Further studies are needed to confirm these preliminary results.
Indian traditional medicine uses certain green herbs, such as dandelion, nettles and chickweed for their liver-cleansing properties. These medicinal herbs are often used in cooking for their bitter flavor. Chlorophyll and bitter alkaloid compounds in these herbs promote liver function and contribute to their liver-purifying effects. A tissue culture study published in the January 2011 issue of the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" found that dandelion root extract speeds cell death in leukemia cells. By contrast, non-cancerous blood cells exposed to dandelion root extract were unharmed, indicating that dandelion root may present an effective, non-toxic option in the treatment of leukemia. Further studies are warranted before dandelion root can be recommended for the treatment of leukemia.
Indian gooseberry, commonly known as amla, demonstrated liver-protective properties in a tissue culture study published in the February 2011 issue of the "Journal of Chinese Medicinal Materials." In the study, an extract of amla leaves induced rapid cell death in liver cancer cells treated for 72 hours. Ayurvedic physician Karta Khalsa, author of the book "Body Balance: Vitalize Your Health With Ph Power," uses amla in conjunction with other herbs, enzymes, fatty acids and nutrients to promote healthy liver function as part of an alkalizing total-body cleanse.
The Indian fruit Terminalia chebula, commonly known as bibhitaki, may protect against oxidative stress and improve liver antioxidant status, according to a study published in the August 2009 issue of the journal "Cell Biochemistry and Function." In the study of aged laboratory animals, a water-soluble extract of the fruit decreased liver levels of malondialdehyde, a toxic byproduct of lipid degradation, and increased levels of important liver antioxidants, such as glutathione and superoxide dismutase. Researchers concluded that bibhitaki may protect against age-related stresses on the liver. Further research on humans is needed to confirm these preliminary results.
Articles For Your Diet
- Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences: Pharmacological Screening of Coriandrum Sativum Linn. for Hepatoprotective Activity
- Ayurvedic Healing: A Comprehensive Guide: David Frawley
- Journal of Ethnopharmacology: Selective Induction of Apoptosis Through Activation of Caspase-8 in Human Leukemia Cells (Jurkat) by Dandelion Root Extract
- Journal of Chinese Medicinal Materials: Study of Galic Acid Extracted from the Leaves of Phyllanthus Emblica on Apoptotic Mechanism of Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells Bel-7404
- Body Balance: Vitalize Your Health With Ph Power: Karta Purkh Singh Khalsa
- Cell Biochemistry and Function: Effect of Terminalia Chebula Aqueous Extract on Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Status in the Liver and Kidney of Young and Aged Rats
- Florida Vedic College: The History of Ayurveda
- herbs and spice image by Bartlomiej Nowak from Fotolia.com