HERBS THAT MAY HARM THE LIVER OR CAUSE HEPATITIS

[Guest guest]

Yes Nikki,, some ppl cannot see that there IS a place for both.. its sad,, I KNOW I cleared because I used both,, I KNOW IT as surely as IM writing this email. Can I prove it, no, but I KNOW what I KNOW... Nikki Cowan <nikkicowan@...> wrote: Of COURSE they need to. It would be like me stating that TX is damaging to your system and

can make you very sick. This might frighten some people into not using it since it is not the whole story. Neither is what they said about herbs the whole story. As to your statement that only people that believe that Eastern medicine is the only way to treat are the ones that argue about this topic, wouldn’t it be equally correct for me to say that only people who believe that Western medicine is the only way to treat are the ones that argue against the use of herbs? Nikki The authors are the Merck Manual and if you believe them pseudoscientists then you are badly mistaken . No clinicals are sited becuase they didnt need to , it's only people that think eastern medicine is the only way to treat that argue about this topic . Jackie

[Guest guest]

JoEllen, you are most Correct,, one shouldnt just go and grab something off the shelf in the HFS,, or even take the word of someone who just works there unless they have some sort of background and know what they are talking about. I BELIEVE that there is room for both western and alternative treatments but one has to know the limits of both to make an educated decision. There will always be some who are totally against alternatives because they dont fully understand them and dont want to understand them, just as there will always be some who dont want to know about western meds and dont trust them... its all a matter of perspective"JoEllen Donahue Hermes L.Ac." <medicinemom@...> wrote: At 09:37 AM 2/19/2007, you wrote: Where are the sources of reference for this person’s opinion that these herbs damage the liver?It seems the minute anyone mentions herbs here- any herbs- there is a quick deluge of emails reminding everyone how dangerous they can be , posts of studies - some of which are not very well designed with regard to dosage or the given herbs, etc etc herbs are medicinal. Like all other medications, if they are not carefully prescribed and used properly they can have ill effect. If you are going to take herbs- with or without other medications- it is really a good idea to check with an herbalist. to find one

near you in the US go to www.nccaom.orgMany people self-medicate because they can find some products over the counter. There are alot of products out there. That still doesnt mean they are all beneficial for everyone. Who is Palmer? I see no initials after her name indicating that she has had any education which could possibly apply. Many people are frightened of things that have had no ‘official’ studies but there will be no studies made on substances that cannot raise big money for big pharma unless it is to cast doubt on them to increase dependence on the medical industries. Tylenol can damage the liver but many here believe it is safe in proper amounts. I imaging if one ate 15lbs of green tea leaf during the day it could damage lots of body parts. A little

common sense is called for and a huge dose of wariness about claims made for or against different substances. Read, read, read and check references. Find out who funds what studies. Listen to empirical evidence as well and form your own opinions. Nikki "Green Tea Leaf" is listed among the herbs... I thought Green Tea was beneficial from what everyone has posted. Is the Green Tea "Leaf" something different? Ally On 2/15/07, elizabethnv1 < elizabethnv1earthlink (DOT) net>

wrote: HERBS THAT MAY HARM THE LIVER OR CAUSE HEPATITISAs mentioned previously, the mere fact that herbs are natural does not mean that they are harmless. In fact, there have been many reports of people suffering serious health problems or even dying as a result of their use of herbal remedies. Since everything that enters the mouth is metabolized through the liver …….. JoEllen Donahue Hermes, L.Ac.Acupuncture & Herbal Medicinewww.medicinemom.com********************************************CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICEThis e-mail and any files transmitted with it are the property of JoEllen Donahue Hermes, L.Ac., are confidential, and intendedonly for the

named recipient(s) above. If it has been sent to you in error, please notify the sender at 415-731-4328 and delete this message immediately from your computer. Any other use, retention,dissemination, forwarding, printing, or copying of this e-mail isstrictly forbidden. Thank you for your consideration.Jackie

[Guest guest]

, green tea in moderation is certainly ok,, some of the pharmy papers discredit herbs because it doesnt put money in their pockets.. <4thMoon@...> wrote: Thanks Nikki, good point. I haven't quit doing green tea based on this one list since there are so many more articles that say how beneficial it is. On 2/19/07, Nikki Cowan <nikkicowansbcglobal (DOT) net> wrote: Where are the sources of reference for this person's opinion that these herbs damage the liver? Who is Palmer? I see no initials after her name indicating that she has had any education which could possibly apply. Many people are frightened of things that have had no 'official' studies but there will be no studies made on substances that cannot raise big money for big pharma unless it is to cast doubt on them to increase dependence on the medical industries. Tylenol can damage the liver but many here believe it is safe in proper amounts. I imaging if one ate 15lbs of green tea leaf during the day it could damage lots of body parts. A little common sense is called for and a huge dose of

wariness about claims made for or against different substances. Read, read, read and check references. Find out who funds what studies. Listen to empirical evidence as well and form your own opinions. Nikki "Green Tea Leaf" is listed among the herbs... I thought Green Tea was beneficial from what everyone has posted. Is the Green Tea "Leaf"

something different? Ally On 2/15/07, elizabethnv1 < elizabethnv1earthlink (DOT) net> wrote: HERBS THAT MAY HARM THE LIVER OR CAUSE HEPATITISAs mentioned previously, the mere fact that herbs are natural does not mean that they are harmless. In fact, there have been many reports of people suffering serious health problems or even dying as a result of

their use of herbal remedies. Since everything that enters the mouth is metabolized through the liver …….. Jackie

[Guest guest]

Nikki Palmer is an MD, a gastro who specializes in hep c. She is pretty knowledgeable in western allopathic meds but doesnt have a real clear understanding of anything alternative. It seems that 'some' of the studys she refers to as 'small' studies and Im not sure they have a lot of merrit. But as JoEllen says, one should always research anything and talk with a health care provider,, and as you said,, read and learn everything you can about anything you are interested in.. Common Sense ,, sometimes I think we have lost it ,, in EVERY Way...Nikki Cowan <nikkicowan@...> wrote: Where are the sources of reference for this person’s opinion that these herbs damage the liver? Who is Palmer? I see no initials after her name indicating that she has had any education which could possibly apply. Many people are frightened of things that have had no ‘official’ studies but there will be no studies made on substances that cannot raise big money for big pharma unless it is to cast doubt on them to increase dependence on the medical industries. Tylenol can damage the liver but many here believe it is safe in proper amounts. I imaging if one ate 15lbs of green tea leaf during the day it

could damage lots of body parts. A little common sense is called for and a huge dose of wariness about claims made for or against different substances. Read, read, read and check references. Find out who funds what studies. Listen to empirical evidence as well and form your own opinions. Nikki "Green Tea Leaf" is listed among the herbs... I thought Green Tea was beneficial from what everyone has posted. Is the Green Tea "Leaf" something different? Ally On 2/15/07, elizabethnv1 <elizabethnv1earthlink (DOT) net> wrote: HERBS THAT MAY HARM THE LIVER OR CAUSE HEPATITISAs mentioned previously, the mere fact that herbs are natural does not mean that they are harmless. In fact, there have been many reports of people suffering serious health problems or even dying as a result of their use of herbal remedies. Since everything that enters the mouth is metabolized through the liver…….. Jackie

[Guest guest]

Ya keep painting this picture of pharmaceutical companies as beeing dishonest and I think that is a great injustice .

Re: HERBS THAT MAY HARM THE LIVER OR CAUSE HEPATITIS

, green tea in moderation is certainly ok,, some of the pharmy papers discredit herbs because it doesnt put money in their pockets.. <4thMoongmail> wrote:

Thanks Nikki, good point. I haven't quit doing green tea based on this one list since there are so many more articles that say how beneficial it is.

On 2/19/07, Nikki Cowan <nikkicowansbcglobal (DOT) net> wrote:

Where are the sources of reference for this person's opinion that these herbs damage the liver? Who is Palmer? I see no initials after her name indicating that she has had any education which could possibly apply. Many people are frightened of things that have had no 'official' studies but there will be no studies made on substances that cannot raise big money for big pharma unless it is to cast doubt on them to increase dependence on the medical industries. Tylenol can damage the liver but many here believe it is safe in proper amounts. I imaging if one ate 15lbs of green tea leaf during the day it could damage lots of body parts. A little common sense is called for and a huge dose of wariness about claims made for or against different substances. Read, read, read and check references. Find out who funds what studies. Listen to empirical evidence as well and form your own opinions.

Nikki

"Green Tea Leaf" is listed among the herbs... I thought Green Tea was beneficial from what everyone has posted. Is the Green Tea "Leaf" something different?

Ally

On 2/15/07, elizabethnv1 < elizabethnv1earthlink (DOT) net> wrote:

HERBS THAT MAY HARM THE LIVER OR CAUSE HEPATITISAs mentioned previously, the mere fact that herbs are natural does not mean that they are harmless. In fact, there have been many reports of people suffering serious health problems or even dying as a result of their use of herbal remedies. Since everything that enters the mouth is metabolized through the liver ……..

Jackie

[Guest guest]

I am not arguing , I just don't care to be challenged

RE: HERBS THAT MAY HARM THE LIVER OR CAUSE HEPATITIS

Where are the sources of reference for this person’s opinion that these herbs damage the liver? Who is Palmer? I see no initials after her name indicating that she has had any education which could possibly apply. Many people are frightened of things that have had no ‘official’ studies but there will be no studies made on substances that cannot raise big money for big pharma unless it is to cast doubt on them to increase dependence on the medical industries. Tylenol can damage the liver but many here believe it is safe in proper amounts. I imaging if one ate 15lbs of green tea leaf during the day it could damage lots of body parts. A little common sense is called for and a huge dose of wariness about claims made for or against different substances. Read, read, read and check references. Find out who funds what studies. Listen to empirical evidence as well and form your own opinions.

Nikki

"Green Tea Leaf" is listed among the herbs... I thought Green Tea was beneficial from what everyone has posted. Is the Green Tea "Leaf" something different?

Ally

On 2/15/07, elizabethnv1 <elizabethnv1earthlink (DOT) net> wrote:

HERBS THAT MAY HARM THE LIVER OR CAUSE HEPATITISAs mentioned previously, the mere fact that herbs are natural does not mean that they are harmless. In fact, there have been many reports of people suffering serious health problems or even dying as a result of their use of herbal remedies. Since everything that enters the mouth is metabolized through the liver……..

Jackie

[Guest guest]

Dear Liz,Jackie, and Nickie,

With Hep-c everyone seems to agree that staying hydrated with H2O and keeping ones toxins in thier system diluted with H2O is a good idea. I'm guesing but I think you can help me out here Liz, is that one of the most important things with Hep-c is keeping the liver inflamation down as much as possible. Which to my way of thinking,feeling and liver enzyme tests means moderation in all that we consume to fasting and juicing. For myself keeping the liver enzymes in check and the inflamation under control helps me to feel better. There have been times when I've eaten to many tomato slices and felt like cr... p for a few afterwords. Any time we put anything in our system our liver goes into overdrive. This is what it was designed to do but unfortunatley for us (the hep-c posse) the smallest thing can have adverse effects. So I'm going to listen to what my body and liver funtion tests tell me to do.

Sincerly, Chris

> HERBS THAT MAY HARM THE LIVER OR CAUSE HEPATITIS> > As mentioned previously, the mere fact that herbs are natural does > not mean that they are harmless. In fact, there have been many > reports of people suffering serious health problems or even dying as > a result of their use of herbal remedies. Since everything that > enters the mouth is metabolized through the liver…….. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Jackie>

[Guest guest]

I am certainly sorry if I offended against

your sense of self esteem but it does not seem unreasonable to ask for

additional information on what at first reading appears to be unsubstantiated

opinion.  I am certain that you

would not expect everyone to accept without proofs information purported to be

medical? Many do and make dangerous, unsafe decisions based on info that they

believed because they liked the poster .

 Thank you for posting the additional information regarding her opinions.  I am  researching the studies vis-à-vis funding

and reliability.

Nikki

I am not arguing , I just don't care to be challenged

[Guest guest]

That will be enough on this subject. It is closed. Janet Nikki Cowan <nikkicowan@...> wrote: I am certainly sorry if I offended against your sense of self esteem but it does not seem unreasonable to ask for

additional information on what at first reading appears to be unsubstantiated opinion. I am certain that you would not expect everyone to accept without proofs information purported to be medical? Many do and make dangerous, unsafe decisions based on info that they believed because they liked the poster . Thank you for posting the additional information regarding her opinions. I am researching the studies vis-à-vis funding and reliability. Nikki

I am not arguing , I just don't care to be challenged Take the ordinary things of life, and make them your own. Do the impossible with a smile

[Guest guest]

Hi , Yes I agree that keeping hydrated is really important with liver disease, but along with that is as you said , making sure that the intake of things are as wholesome as possible and not a lot of sugar, sugar is a liver killer and just about everything you buy that is boxed, canned, frozen has added sugar in it so read labels... that will keep you safe... Yes, it IS the inflammation that causes the damage,, so if you can keep that down, it can help keep the damage from getting worse.. lots of ppl think its the viral load and think that higher the viral load, the more damage but that is not always the case,, its not the largeness of the viral load but is the amount of inflammation that the viral load causes.. my viral load was considered 'low' and I had a lot of damage because I had a lot of inflammation,, and I know others who have very very high viral loads and have little to no damage.. go figure, it seems that there are really

very few "absolutes" with hep c...CHRISTINE <novara12002@...> wrote: Dear Liz,Jackie, and Nickie, With Hep-c everyone seems to agree that staying hydrated with H2O and keeping ones toxins in thier system diluted with H2O is a good idea. I'm guesing but I think you can help me out here Liz, is that one of the most important things with Hep-c is keeping the liver inflamation down as much as possible. Which to my way of thinking,feeling and liver enzyme

tests means moderation in all that we consume to fasting and juicing. For myself keeping the liver enzymes in check and the inflamation under control helps me to feel better. There have been times when I've eaten to many tomato slices and felt like cr... p for a few afterwords. Any time we put anything in our system our liver goes into overdrive. This is what it was designed to do but unfortunatley for us (the hep-c posse) the smallest thing can have adverse effects. So I'm going to listen to what my body and liver funtion tests tell me to do. Sincerly, > HERBS THAT MAY HARM THE LIVER OR CAUSE HEPATITIS> > As mentioned previously, the mere fact that herbs are natural does > not mean that they are harmless. In fact, there have been many > reports of people suffering serious health problems or even dying as > a result of their use of herbal remedies. Since everything that > enters the mouth is metabolized through the liver…….. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Jackie> Jackie

[Guest guest]

they are not dishonest per say Liz, but they ARE in it for the money and they poo poo anything that wont make them money... I think THEY do us a great injustice when they do that as well.. There is room for BOTH in healthcare and the best docs are now seeing this and are incorporating alternatives into their practices..Most Docs do not have the time to research every drug that they prescribe so they rely on the drug companies to do the research for them and many times, the drug companies put out drugs that they KNOW are gonna harm people, but the money is too great and they put them out anyway.Look at Celebrex and Vioxx,, THEY KNEW that they were going to kill people,, .. Just today I saw an add for women who used the birth control patch that caused many women to die or have blood clots that caused both heart attacks and strokes,, and yet this patch WAS approved by the FDA and then was re-called... and this happens aLOT...I THINK that this is because most of the

top brass that sit at the FDA are also on the boards at the drug pharmies... and that is where they are dishonest Liz. and they harm people.. elizabethnv1 <elizabethnv1@...> wrote: Ya keep painting this picture of pharmaceutical companies as beeing dishonest and I think that is a great injustice . Re: HERBS THAT MAY HARM THE LIVER OR CAUSE HEPATITIS , green tea in moderation is certainly ok,, some of the pharmy papers discredit herbs because it doesnt put money in their pockets.. <4thMoongmail> wrote: Thanks Nikki, good point. I haven't quit doing green tea

based on this one list since there are so many more articles that say how beneficial it is. On 2/19/07, Nikki Cowan <nikkicowansbcglobal (DOT) net> wrote: Where are the sources of reference for this person's opinion that these herbs damage the liver? Who is Palmer? I see no initials after her name indicating that she has had any education which could possibly apply. Many people are frightened of things that have had no 'official' studies but there will be no studies made on substances that cannot raise big money for big pharma unless it is to cast doubt on them to

increase dependence on the medical industries. Tylenol can damage the liver but many here believe it is safe in proper amounts. I imaging if one ate 15lbs of green tea leaf during the day it could damage lots of body parts. A little common sense is called for and a huge dose of wariness about claims made for or against different substances. Read, read, read and check references. Find out who funds what studies. Listen to empirical evidence as well and form your own opinions. Nikki "Green Tea Leaf" is listed among the herbs... I thought Green Tea was beneficial from what everyone has posted. Is the Green Tea "Leaf" something different? Ally On 2/15/07, elizabethnv1 < elizabethnv1earthlink (DOT) net> wrote: HERBS THAT MAY HARM THE LIVER OR CAUSE HEPATITISAs mentioned previously, the mere fact that herbs are natural does not mean that they are harmless. In fact, there have been many reports of people suffering serious health problems or even dying as a result of their use of herbal remedies. Since everything that enters the mouth is metabolized through the liver …….. Jackie Jackie

[Guest guest]

Palmer is a very well known established gastroenterologist who wrote the book Hepatitis and Liver Disease. She is respected within the hepatology community and her book has been recommended to me by doctors. I think everyone with liver disease should read her book.

Some doctors poo pooh all herbs because of ignorance, but others are concerned because: A) there is no regulation, so no way to prove what "else" is in the remedy. Sometimes it is not the herb itself, but the filler. Because herbs are not something drug companies can put a patten on they won't waste their time and money doing proper studies if there isn't anything (financial) in if for them. Therefore there is few evidence based research on many herbs. But just because it is a herb, or "natural" doesn't mean it can't harm you. I am highly allergic to St. 's Wort, and Spirilina (blue/green algae).

I take some herbs. But I think it is very important to do your research before taking anything (even drugs I don't know how many times I've had to remind my PCP I have liver disease when she is writing out a persciption). For eg. I was at the hospital doing a sleep study and needed to waste some time between naps, so I went to the library and found a study in the American Journal of Rheumatology on the unbelievable benefits of turmeric (an Indian spice) known to have anti-inflammatory properties. The study said they were amazed at the effectiveness of the supplements even in people with RA.

I have a lot of joint and muscle pain and I was very excited. I also have another liver disease called PBC where the immune system attacks the liver bile ducts, so I need to be extra careful. So I came home and looked up info on it. It took awhile to find, but I contacted a Ayurvedic doctor from India online via email. He asked me to call him and I did. He said "stay away from it, it will damage your liver". I was shocked because it said it is good for the liver, but in this case it sends too many Tcells (which is a problem already with PBC) to the liver and causes further blockage.

So I'm not saying don't take this or that, some stuff is good, others are bad, others are questionable. But if unsure why risk it. Just do your homework, don't rely on this digest, or even one doctor (allopathic or otherwise). I know Milk Thistle is fine. I also make sure the herbs I take are not mixtures, it is just what it says, no fillers, of other herbs. Like a few days ago, trying to find calcium in the health food store that was JUST Calcium, was very difficult.

Amen

[Guest guest]

EXCELLENT post ,,, excellent,, thank YOU! Swift <kswift@...> wrote: Palmer is a very well known established gastroenterologist who wrote the book Hepatitis and Liver Disease. She is respected within the hepatology community and her book has been recommended to me by doctors. I think everyone with liver disease should read her book. Some doctors poo pooh all herbs because

of ignorance, but others are concerned because: A) there is no regulation, so no way to prove what "else" is in the remedy. Sometimes it is not the herb itself, but the filler. Because herbs are not something drug companies can put a patten on they won't waste their time and money doing proper studies if there isn't anything (financial) in if for them. Therefore there is few evidence based research on many herbs. But just because it is a herb, or "natural" doesn't mean it can't harm you. I am highly allergic to St. 's Wort, and Spirilina (blue/green algae). I take some herbs. But I think it is very important to do your research before taking anything (even drugs I don't know how many times I've had to remind my PCP I have liver disease when she is writing out a persciption). For eg. I was at the hospital doing a sleep study and needed to waste some time

between naps, so I went to the library and found a study in the American Journal of Rheumatology on the unbelievable benefits of turmeric (an Indian spice) known to have anti-inflammatory properties. The study said they were amazed at the effectiveness of the supplements even in people with RA. I have a lot of joint and muscle pain and I was very excited. I also have another liver disease called PBC where the immune system attacks the liver bile ducts, so I need to be extra careful. So I came home and looked up info on it. It took awhile to find, but I contacted a Ayurvedic doctor from India online via email. He asked me to call him and I did. He said "stay away from it, it will damage your liver". I was shocked because it said it is good for the liver, but in this case it sends too many Tcells (which is a problem already with PBC) to the liver and causes further

blockage. So I'm not saying don't take this or that, some stuff is good, others are bad, others are questionable. But if unsure why risk it. Just do your homework, don't rely on this digest, or even one doctor (allopathic or otherwise). I know Milk Thistle is fine. I also make sure the herbs I take are not mixtures, it is just what it says, no fillers, of other herbs. Like a few days ago, trying to find calcium in the health food store that was JUST Calcium, was very difficult. Amen Jackie

[Guest guest]

Hi Jackie, Sorry to have been out of the loop for a while. I was rehabbing a house to flip and finally got it on the market. I have read the postings but did'nt have a lot of time for responce. Anyway, Good to hear from you!!!! ChrisJackie on <redjaxjm@...> wrote: Hi , Yes I agree that keeping hydrated is really important with liver disease, but along

with that is as you said , making sure that the intake of things are as wholesome as possible and not a lot of sugar, sugar is a liver killer and just about everything you buy that is boxed, canned, frozen has added sugar in it so read labels... that will keep you safe... Yes, it IS the inflammation that causes the damage,, so if you can keep that down, it can help keep the damage from getting worse.. lots of ppl think its the viral load and think that higher the viral load, the more damage but that is not always the case,, its not the largeness of the viral load but is the amount of inflammation that the viral load causes.. my viral load was considered 'low' and I had a lot of damage because I had a lot of inflammation,, and I know others who have very very high viral loads and have little to no damage.. go figure, it seems that there are really very few "absolutes" with hep c...CHRISTINE <novara12002 >

wrote: Dear Liz,Jackie, and Nickie, With Hep-c everyone seems to agree that staying hydrated with H2O and keeping ones toxins in thier system diluted with H2O is a good idea. I'm guesing but I think you can help me out here Liz, is that one of the most important things with Hep-c is keeping the liver inflamation down as much as possible. Which to my way of thinking,feeling and liver enzyme tests means moderation in all that we consume to fasting and juicing. For myself keeping the liver enzymes in check and the inflamation under control helps me to feel better. There have been times when I've eaten to many tomato slices and felt like cr... p for a few afterwords. Any time we put anything in our system our liver goes into overdrive. This is what it was designed to do but unfortunatley

for us (the hep-c posse) the smallest thing can have adverse effects. So I'm going to listen to what my body and liver funtion tests tell me to do. Sincerly, > HERBS THAT MAY HARM THE LIVER OR CAUSE HEPATITIS> > As mentioned previously, the mere fact that herbs are natural does > not mean that they are harmless. In fact, there have been many > reports of people suffering serious health problems or even dying as > a result of their use of herbal remedies. Since everything that > enters the

mouth is metabolized through the liver…….. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Jackie> Jackie

Have a burning question? Go to Answers and get answers from real people who know.

[Guest guest]

WOW house flipping,, I'd love to do that but Im not physically well enough to do all that kind of work,, Viola <novara12002@...> wrote: Hi Jackie, Sorry to have been out of the loop for a while. I was rehabbing a house to flip and finally got it on the market. I have read the postings but did'nt have a lot of time for responce. Anyway, Good to hear from you!!!!

ChrisJackie on <redjaxjm > wrote: Hi , Yes I agree that keeping hydrated is really important with liver disease, but along with that is as you said , making sure that the intake of things are as wholesome as possible and not a lot of sugar, sugar is a liver killer and just about everything you buy that is boxed, canned, frozen has added sugar in it so read labels... that will keep you safe... Yes, it IS the inflammation that causes the damage,, so if you can keep that down, it can help keep the damage from getting worse.. lots of ppl think its the viral load and think that higher the viral load, the more damage but that is not always the case,, its not the largeness of the viral load but is the amount of inflammation that the viral load causes.. my viral load was

considered 'low' and I had a lot of damage because I had a lot of inflammation,, and I know others who have very very high viral loads and have little to no damage.. go figure, it seems that there are really very few "absolutes" with hep c...CHRISTINE <novara12002 > wrote: Dear Liz,Jackie, and Nickie, With Hep-c everyone seems to agree that staying hydrated with H2O and keeping ones toxins in thier system diluted with H2O is a good idea. I'm guesing but I think you can help me out here Liz, is that one of the most important things with Hep-c is keeping the liver inflamation down as much as possible. Which to my way of thinking,feeling and liver enzyme tests means moderation in all that we consume to fasting and juicing. For myself keeping the

liver enzymes in check and the inflamation under control helps me to feel better. There have been times when I've eaten to many tomato slices and felt like cr... p for a few afterwords. Any time we put anything in our system our liver goes into overdrive. This is what it was designed to do but unfortunatley for us (the hep-c posse) the smallest thing can have adverse effects. So I'm going to listen to what my body and liver funtion tests tell me to do. Sincerly, > HERBS THAT MAY HARM THE LIVER OR CAUSE

HEPATITIS> > As mentioned previously, the mere fact that herbs are natural does > not mean that they are harmless. In fact, there have been many > reports of people suffering serious health problems or even dying as > a result of their use of herbal remedies. Since everything that > enters the mouth is metabolized through the liver…….. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Jackie> Jackie Have a burning question? Go to Answers and get answers from real people who know. Jackie

[Guest guest]

HERBS THAT MAY HARM THE LIVER OR CAUSE HEPATITIS

HERBS THAT MAY HARM THE LIVER OR CAUSE HEPATITIS

As mentioned previously, the mere fact that herbs are natural does not mean that they are harmless. In fact, there have been many reports of people suffering serious health problems or even dying as a result of their use of herbal remedies. Since everything that enters the mouth is metabolized through the liver, the liver is a prime target for the toxic effects of some herbs. People with normal functioning livers and no history of prior liver disease have suffered adverse consequences to the liver as a result of taking certain herbs. Obviously, the potential for adverse consequences in people with liver disease is greatly increased. Remember, it is the liver’s job to rid the body of potentially harmful substances. A liver that is already damaged will have to work overtime to clear a toxic herb from the body. Quite obviously, it is inadvisable to subject a poorly functioning liver to this type of stress. A doctor, unaware that a patient with liver disease has taken herbal remedies, or unaware of the hepatotoxic effects of certain herbal remedies, may attribute any worsening of the patient’s condition to the natural course of the liver disease.

The following is a brief discussion of some of the herbs that have been determined to be dangerous to the liver along with an extensive list of herbs that have been linked to hepatitis, liver damage, and liver failure. Although not proven, it appears that women appear to be more susceptible to herbal- induced liver disease than men. Also, some significant drug-herb interactions specifically relevant to people with liver disease are discussed.

In general, a key point to keep in mind is that any herb containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids is potentially hepatotoxic (toxic to the liver). Hepatotoxicity due to pyrrolizidine-containing herbs can result from either small amounts ingested over long periods of time or from large amounts ingested over a short period of time. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids have been found in approximately 350 different plant species. The most toxic of these has been noted to be from the senecio, heliotropium, crotalaria, and symphytium species. Pyrrolizidine poisoning is common in Africa and Jamaica, two areas of the world where herbal teas containing this substance are consumed as folk remedies for a number of ailments. The pyrrolizidine alkaloids have been associated with a severe type of liver disorder known as veno-occlusive disease. In this disease, the hepatic vein becomes clogged, blocking off the blood supply to the liver. This can result in abdominal pain, vomiting, ascites, hepatomegaly (an enlarged liver), edema (leg swelling), cirrhosis, liver failure, and even death due to extensive liver damage.

The most well-established example of a liver-toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloid-containing herb is comfrey (Symphytum officinale). Comfrey has been used to relieve joint and stomach aches and is commercially available as a tea or in tablet or capsule form in the United States. Many herbal preparations that contain a mixture of herbs include comfrey, but due to the lack of labeling regulations of herbal products, comfrey may or may not be listed as an ingredient on these products.

Germander, an herb marketed as safe and natural, was at one time widely used in France as a weight-loss remedy. Since 1992, this herb has been banned from the French market because it was discovered to be the cause of twenty-six cases of severe hepatitis. Additional cases of hepatitis due to germander were also reported in Canada. It is thought that the diterpenoid content of germander is the culprit causing hepatotoxicity.

Chaparral, an herb proclaimed to be an aging retardant, has been reported to cause jaundice, fulminant hepatitis, and liver damage. In one reported case, the damage was so extensive that the patient required a liver transplant. Jin Bu Huan, typically used as an herbal sedative, has been reported to cause acute hepatitis. Some herbs may be dangerous to ingest while pregnant. In fact, death of a newborn baby was reported in a woman who consumed a hepatotoxic herbal preparation during pregnancy.

The above are just a few examples of herbs that have led to liver damage, which is often permanent and occasionally fatal, though sometimes reversible. The following is a list of herbs that are known to have caused liver problems. Although this is long, it cannot be considered complete due to unreported data. Herbs that have been associated with liver disease include the following:

- Black Cohosh

• Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica).

- Callilepsis laureola ( Impila)

- Cascara Sagrada

- Celandine ( also known as greater celandine) (Chelidonium majus)

• Chaparral (also known as creosote bush or greasewood) (Larrea taridentata).

• Comfrey and other herbs containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids (heliotropium, senecio, crotalaria, symphytum)

- Doxidan ( Danthron 1,8-hydroxyanthroquinone and dioctyl calcium sulfosuccinate)

• Germander (Teucrium chamaedrys).

- Green tea leaf

• Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris).

- Impila root

• Jin Bu Huan.

- Kava ( also known as kava kava or Piper methysticum)

- Kombucha

• Lobelia (Lobelia inflata).

• Ma huang (ephedra).

• Mate (also known as paraquay tea) (Ilex paraguariensis).

• Mistletoe (Viscum album).

• Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans).

• Pau d’arco (La pachol).

• Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium).

• Poke root (Phytolacca americana).

• Ragwort (Senecio jacoboea).

• Sarsparilla (Smilax species).

• Sassafras (Sassafras albidum).

• Saw palmetto – the main ingredient of the herbal preparation known as “Prostata”.

• Senna (Casio acutifolia).

• Skullcap (Scutellaria laterifolia).

- Soy phytoestrogen

• Sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis).

• Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare).

• T’u-san-chi.

• Valerian (Valeriana offinalis).

• Woodruff (Galium odorata).

• Certain Chinese herbal formulas—typically a complex mixture of a variety of different herbs.

• Herbal preparations containing the recreational drug “ecstasy” (3,4-Methylenedioxymetamphetamine).

It is also important to be aware that there are many known drug-herb interactions of potential significance to a person with liver disease. For example garlic, ginko, dong quai danshen, devil’s claw and papaya extract (papain) all may increase the tendency to bleed. Thus, people with liver disease undergoing a surgical procedure or any invasive procedure, such as a liver biopsy should be aware of this potential effect. Furthermore, people with esophageal varices may also be at increased risk for hemorrhage when taking these herbs. People who have had a liver transplant should avoid the herb St. ’s wort. This herb may cause cyclosporine levels ( a medication used after transplantation to prevent rejection of the new liver) to decrease, thereby putting one at risk for rejection of the transplanted liver. As discussed in my book, licorice may reduce prednisone levels, thus putting a transplant recipient at risk for rejection of the transplanted liver.

http://www.liverdisease.com/harmfulherbs_hepatitis.html