The concept of excess heat or energy in the liver is a common problem and is recognized in both Oriental and traditional Western medicine. Liver heat usually involves some moderate liver congestion that causes chronic low grade inflammation in the liver tissue. The problem is not serious enough to be considered a true liver disease, but it does have some very distinct symptoms.
People suffering from irritation in the liver will be irritable themselves. They will be hypersensitive to light, sound and touch, and will tend to be cranky and easily angered or upset as a result. There is a tendency for headaches, especially severe ones like migraines. Another common symptom of people suffering from an overactive or hot liver is nervous energy late in the evening that keeps them from getting to sleep, followed by a groggy, almost "hangover-like" feeling in the morning. They tend to be late risers and slow to get started in the morning.
Flushing of the face, hot flashes, redness of the face or ears and bloodshot eyes can all be symptoms of excess heat or irritation in the area of the liver. When these symptoms rise up into the head from the liver, Chinese medicine calls this, "liver-fire rising." Hot flashes are often associated with liver fire and adrenal weakness.
Skin disorders (such as rashes, pox, hives and acne) are common with liver irritation. Disorders involving oily skin are particularly common. There may be a bloated or stuffy feeling under the right rib cage and pain in the middle back as well.
This problem is resolved by using herbs that "cool" the liver by helping to cleanse liver tissue and reduce "toxic overload" on the organ. Avoiding fatty rich foods, alcohol and food additives is also very helpful.
Hepatitis is a serious disease involving inflammation of the liver and is caused most frequently by a virus, although sometimes hepatitis may be caused by drugs/medications; alcohol abuse; bacterial, fungal or parasitic infections, or other toxins. Hepatitis causes damage or death of liver cells and can be acute (an attack that eventually heals with treatment and time) or chronic (ongoing difficulty). Hepatitis is the most common of all liver diseases and may have a connection with other degenerative diseases.
Hepatitis A is most often associated with contamination of food or water from fecal matter as it is shed through the intestinal tract in an active state. Its incubation period is from two to six weeks. In the United States, its occurrence is very high; up to 60 percent of adults have had Hepatitis A, most of whom are unaware that they have had it.
Hepatitis B is spread through direct blood contact and can be spread through sexual contact, contaminated needles and contaminated blood supplies. A carrier can be asymptomatic. Non-A and non-B hepatitis (including hepatitis C) are thought to spread through blood contact also.
Symptoms of hepatitis vary anywhere from mild flu like symptoms, nausea, jaundice and fatigue up to severe liver failure, coma and death.
Persons with serious inflammatory diseases of the liver can be helped through natural means, even if a complete cure isn't always possible. Begin by avoiding all substances that irritate the liver including alcohol, food additives, pesticides and other farm chemicals and spicy or rich foods.
Diet should be bland, consisting of many non-starchy vegetables like zucchini, leaf lettuce, broccoli, etc. Take herbs that have a protective and cooling effect on the liver, and antioxidant nutrients. Drink plenty of pure water and keep the bowels open, but not with stimulant laxatives as these may irritate the liver.
To assess a less serious condition of liver irritation, look for a tendency to a reddish or ruddy complexion, along with a tendency to flushing of the face. There is also a tendency to irritation around the eyes. The tongue tends to be red, especially on the sides.
There are a number of herbs that will cool liver irritation.
Vitamin C and Milk Thistle Combination are very good for hepatic irritation.
Super ORAC and Thai-Go can also be beneficial.
Helichrysum essential oil can be applied topically over the liver in cases of hepatitis as well.
Avoid harsh liver cleansers and stimulant laxatives with liver irritation.
With inflammatory conditions, also avoid tonic herbs like ginseng.