Alison Odey

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, usually caused by a viral infection.

It will be classified depending on the type of virus that is causing the
condition, with types A, B, C, non-A and non-B being the most common.

Hepatitis A is transmitted primarily through faecal contamination.
Hepatitis B and C through infected blood or blood products.

The virus causes the liver to become tender, enlarged and unable to function as it normally would, resulting in a build up of toxins,  as well as causing certain nutrients not to be
processed and stored as they should be.

Symptoms can range from mild flu like symptoms, to severe fever, jaundice, abdominal pain, weakness and fatigue, nausea, vomiting, muscular aches and joint pains.
The patient may have dark urine, light coloured stools and jaundice.
Blood tests will show liver enzymes to be elevated.

Most adults infected with Hepatitis B fully recover and develop life-long immunity. Between 2-10% of adults may become chronic carriers – which means they will be infective.
Infected children, especially babies are more likely to become chronic carriers. Chronic carriers are more likely to develop liver cirrhosis or liver cancer.

Hepatitis C can exist undetected in the body for long periods, at times 10 – 20 years. It is now understood to be a systemic disease that can affect many parts of the body, not  just the liver.
When detected it is often treated with Interferon (an immune booster) or Ribavirin
(an anti-viral medication), both can be expensive and can cause side effects.

Hepatitis is a disorder that can be greatly helped with the use of natural therapies.

Herbal, homeopathic and Homeobotanical modalities can all be successful in supporting the body and particularly the liver.
The main herb to use is St. Mary’s Thistle, or ‘silybum marianum’, which has long been used for liver complaints. It has the ability to inhibit factors that can cause liver damage as well as to stimulate protein synthesis so that damaged liver cells can be replaced by new ones.
It is often used in conjunction with Globe Artichoke and Dandelion root.

It is important that when using these herbs or at any stage when the liver is compromised to also stop ingesting anything that will add extra load to the detoxifying work that the liver is required to do.
So therefore eliminate all food chemicals, artificial flavours, colours, preservatives etc, also all extra sugars, fatty foods, coffee and alcohol.

High doses of Vitamin C have been known to be very useful in fighting viral hepatitis and also herbals that are specific in combating viruses.
These herbs would be those such as Phyllanthus, Astragalus, Olive leaf, Licorice, St
John’s Wort, Reishi mushroom and Rye grass extract.

Vitamin B12 and Folic acid can be very beneficial and it particularly important to keep mineral levels at an optimum.

It is also possible that high dose anti-oxidants may help prevent excessive free radical damage in the liver, and may be very useful.
Glutathione is the body’s main intracellular antioxidant. It greatly aids detoxification and boosts immune activity.
Go to On-line shop for Glutathione

It is important for someone who is has a chronic condition to be religious in their determination to maintain a strong immune system (not just when they feel unwell) as it is continual maintenance that will result in success.