Boost Liver Health Naturally: Ayurvedic Treatments and Home Remedies

The liver, which serves as our main detoxifying organ, has the vital responsibility of shielding the deeper tissues from blood contaminants that may otherwise be harmful. The liver itself, however, may suffer from excessive exposure to toxins (such as alcohol, prescription or illicit medicines, environmental contaminants.

Functions of liver

● Detoxification
● Digestion and metabolism
● Bile formation
● Protein metabolism and synthesis

The liver is closely related to many other organs, tissues, and systems throughout the body, as its activities would suggest. We may gain a deeper understanding of how to give the liver with significant assistance by examining these linkages from the ancient yet highly relevant perspective of Ayurveda.

According to Ayurveda, the liver is a hot, pitta dosha related organ. Qualitatively, this fact alone indicates that the liver, pitta dosha, agni (the fire principle), and the energy of transformation are closely related. Five of the at least 40 distinct physiological manifestations of agni that Ayurveda describes are located solely in the liver and are known as bhuta agnis. In terms of function, the bhuta agnis are in charge of converting our meals into compounds that are beneficial to our bodies.

The five elements—earth, water, fire, air, and ether—are broken down into their most basic form during the digestive process, and the bhuta agnis—one for each element—transform these components into a form that the body can utilize. In reality, circulation only makes this more refined material available to the tissues.
The oxygen-carrying component of blood, known as rakta dhatu (red blood cells), is linked to pitta dosha.
The liver, pitta dosha, and rakta dhatu are all quite similar in quality, and they all have a close functional connection.

As the mula (root) of rakta vaha srotas (the channel system linked to this oxygen-carrying component of the blood), the liver is actually almost entirely in charge of producing red blood cells during the early stages of embryonic development—until the bone marrow gradually takes over that function.7.

Also interesting is the fact that bile (poshaka pitta), one of the byproducts of rakta dhatu, is helping with lipid metabolism.

Common Diseases of liver

Cirrhosis of liver
The parenchyma or functional organ tissue degenerates in cirrhosis of the liver. A chronic, wide spread degenerative liver disease. portal hypertension is the condition that occurs from a loss of liver cell activity and an increased resistance to blood flow through the damaged liver tissue.
Hepatic coma,renal failure,gastrointestinal bleeding and ammonia toxicityare all consequences of severe cirrhosis.scar tissue gradually replaces the liver cells that are degenerated.
Alcohol misuse is thought to be the most prevalent cause of cirrhosis. Although alcohol damages several organs, it is particularly detrimental to the liver and is a contributing factor in around three-fourths of liver cirrhosis cases.

The majority of alcohol’s metabolism is carried out by the liver, which sustains significant harm in the process. Alcohol not only kills liver cells but also prevents them from growing again. Cirrhosis risk can be raised by cofactors such the hepatitis C virus.
Fatty liver
A frequent disorder called fatty liver disease (steatosis) is brought on by an excess of fat in the liver. There is a tiny quantity of fat in a healthy liver. When fat makes up major portion of your liver’s weight, it becomes an issue. Fatty liver disease doesn’t create any major issues, and with minimal medication and lifestyle changes, it can be prevented or its advancement can be stopped. A metabolic condition involving hormonal, dietary, and hereditary factors is fatty liver. The adipose-derived hormones leptin and adiponectin, which are gut-derived, are thought to be important in fatty liver. Diets high in carbohydrates, poor in fibre, and high in saturated fat have been referred to as risk diets for fatty liver.

Herbs for liver health

Bhumyamalaki

The traditional Ayurvedic herb for liver support is bhumyamalaki. It is dry, light, bitter, cooling, calming, and purifying in addition to having a special affinity for the liver.
Consequently, it cools excess heat in the digestive system and balances pitta and kapha. Through its activity, the liver and gallbladder are strengthened, cleansed, and detoxified.
Katuki
Katuki has a profoundly purifying effect on the liver and gallbladder, promoting good liver function and appropriate bile flow. It also greatly benefits the spleen. It balances pitta and kapha and promotes healthy immunological function throughout the body.
Guduchi
Guduchi is well known for cleansing the liver, kidneys, and blood while strengthening the immune system. Additionally, it works very well to cool, soothe, and quiet a hyperactive pitta.
Turmeric
The liver, digestive tract, skin, and blood are all strongly attracted to turmeric. It offers special support to these organs and tissues while having a profoundly purifying and clarifying impact on the overall system.
amalaki
Since amalaki is one of the three components in triphala and is notably pitta-balancing, it frequently makes sense to switch from triphala to it during the summer, especially when there is excessive pitta or excess heat. It also helps to remove excess heat from the digestive tract.

Liver detoxification

In addition to protecting and igniting agni, drinking warm lemon water first thing in the morning aids in the removal of ama (toxins) that may have collected over the night.

After being digested, lemon water’s high alkalizing properties, despite its citric and ascorbic acid concentration, can help balance excess pitta and cleanse and purify the blood.
A thorough Ayurvedic cleansing and regeneration treatment for liver problems and other ailments is panchakarma.

Poorva karma -preparatory procedure

Snehana therapy
Warm,medicinal oils are applied to the skin using a variety of massage techniques in snehana, or oil massage. Herbal oils are used in a particular way for snehana.
Toxins are released, tissues are lubricated, and the body is primed for more thorough detoxification through the oiling process. Additionally, it soothes the Vata dosha and lessens irritation and dryness.
By lowering inflammation and cleansing the body, snehana promotes liver health.

Swedana (Steam Therapy):

The body is exposed to herbal steam following an oil massage, which promotes circulation, opens pores, and releases toxins.
This treatment helps to eliminate toxins and lessen inflammation linked to liver diseases, making it particularly helpful for balancing the Vata and Kapha doshas. 

Pradhana karma- main procedure

Therapeutic vomiting, or vamana, is a technique that uses medicinal herbs and preparations to induce controlled vomiting. By eliminating toxins from the stomach and upper digestive tract, this treatment reduces excess Pitta and eliminates heat from the digestive system. Conditions linked to high acidity or bile production are frequently treated with it. By eliminating impurities and lowering excessive bile production associated with liver diseases, vamana promotes liver health.

Virechana, also known as purgation therapy, is a method of cleaning the intestines and lower digestive system by using herbal laxatives. This process balances excess Pitta and aids in the removal of toxins through the intestines. Inflammatory diseases, digestive issues, and jaundice can all benefit from this treatment. Virechana improves digestion and aids in the return of regular bowel motions.

Vasti

Basti (Enema Therapy): Basti therapy cleanses and revitalizes the lower gastrointestinal system by using medicinal enemas. This treatment works especially well for balancing Vata dosha, which can affect liver and intestinal health. Depending on the demands of the person, a variety of enemas are utilized, such as those containing oils, decoctions, or herbal infusions. By regulating Vata dosha and encouraging detoxification in situations of liver diseases, basti promotes liver health.

Paschat karma -post procedure

Diet and Lifestyle Modifications: To aid in the body’s healing and preserve equilibrium following the first Panchakarma treatments, certain dietary and lifestyle modifications are advised. This involves eating meals that are in line with one’s dosha.

Home remedies

● Bhumyamalaki juice 15 ml twice daily
● Amruth juice 15 ml twice a day or amruth leaves paste with butter milk twice a day
● Amruth decoction twice daily for two weeks
● Intake of amalaka juice 15 ml twice daily.

Food habits in liver diseases

Reduce the amount of salty, sour, and pungent (spicy) flavors and emphasize the sweet, bitter, and astringent flavors.
Due to its cooling and purifying properties, the bitter flavor is particularly beneficial to the liver.
Raw veggies and green vegetable juices are also likely to be very beneficial for your liver if your digestive habits lean toward too much pitta.
It will also be beneficial to avoid any extra toxicity from alcohol, smoke, or prescription or recreational medications.
Refined sugars, oils, and fats are the main meals that the liver directly metabolizes, thus if you want to really rest your liver, you should limit your consumption of these foods.
Ghee aids in the restoration of enzymatic activity and is the fat that the liver can digest the simplest. Use ghee sparingly, but prefer it over other oils and fats while on a liver cleanse.
Additionally, when choosing spices and garnishes for your meals, choose cooling, pitta-balancing ingredients like ground coriander, fresh cilantro, fennel, cumin, turmeric, mint, and lemon or lime juice.
Beets, carrots, apples, and other green foods high in chlorophyll are also typically beneficial.
Although organic avocado, olive, and sesame oils can help revitalize the liver, they work best when added after liver function has been restored and fats and oils are properly absorbed.

Routines and food habits to avoid

● Reduce the intake of high fat content food
● Avoid alcohol and alcoholic drinks
● Skipping meals
● Foods with high sugar content and sodium content should be avoided.
● Lack of physical activity
● Unprotected sex

Common medicines for liver disorders

● Patoladi Churna
● Mahasudarshana Churna
● Rohitaka Choorna
● Agnitundi Vati
● Arogyavardhini Vati,
● Patola Katurohinyadi Kashaya
● Rohitakarishta
● Pippalyasava
● Kumaryasava
● Kalameghasava
● Yakrit-Plihari Loha
● Patolamuladi kashayam
● Vasaguduchyadi kashayam
● Punarnavasavam.