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9
Different Ingredients found in Liver Health
Picrorhiza - Picrorhiza
kurroa
is used for
disorders of lungs and liver, dysentery,
nausea, anorexia, dyspepsia, and fever.
Current research interests include acute
viral hepatitis, drug-induced liver damage,
and other liver diseases.
Each liver health capsule contains over
50 mg of Picrorhiza
- Picrorhiza
has a hepatoprotective action similar to
silymarin. It restores glutathione levels in
animals by decreasing damage to liver cells
poisoned with hepatotoxic chemicals, such as
Amanita mushrooms, carbon tetrachloride,
galactosamine, alcohol, aflatoxin,
acetaminophen, and other toxic substances.
In some induced liver-injury experiments in
rats,
picrorhiza reduced liver enzymes and
lipid levels. Unfortunately, no trials of
picrorhiza
as a treatment for CHB have been published
in peer-reviewed journals.
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 The
dandelion root is a blood and kidney cleaner
and tonic, as well as a diuretic. It can be
used as a general cleansing stimulant for
the liver. Both the dried leaves and the
dried and powdered root are used as a bitter
tea. This tea is for any malfunction of the
liver. Fresh dandelion leaves or dried root
are valuable additions to a diet for people
with diabetes and hepatitis. (Check with
your naturopathic physician before taking
any herbal remedies for such illness.
The main benefit of this great herb is to
enhance the function of the liver, but the
root is also useful for clearing
obstructions of the spleen, pancreas,
gallbladder, and kidneys. It is of
tremendous benefit to the stomach and
intestines, balancing the enzymes that
simultaneously benefit digestion,
assimilation, and elimination.
The bitter compounds in the leaves and root
help stimulate digestion and are mild
laxatives.4 These bitter
principles also increase bile production in
the gallbladder and bile flow from the
liver.5 For this reason dandelion
is recommended by some herbalists for people
with sluggish liver function due to alcohol
abuse or poor diet. The increase in bile
flow may help improve fat (including
cholesterol) metabolism in the body.
 Burdock
Root is one of the foremost cleansing
herbs,
providing nourishing support for the blood,
the liver, and the natural defense system.
It's rich in Vitamins B-1, B-6, B-12, and E,
plus manganese, copper, iron, zinc, sulfur,
and more. You'll find Burdock Root in many
tonic formulas and special blends designed
for internal cleansing.
Official Latin Name: Arctium lappaAnd
in Hawaii, the roots of this herb are
sometimes given as a "gag" wedding gift
because of their aphrodisiac powers.
Medicinally, Burdock
Root has been used both internally and
externally for eczema and psoriasis, as well
as to treat painful joints and as a
diuretic. In traditional Chinese medicine,
Burdock Root, in combination with other
herbs, is used to treat sore throats,
tonsillitis, colds, and even measles. It is
eaten as a vegetable in Japan and elsewhere.
Burdock is a mild laxative. It also
aids in the elimination of uric acid. The
herb contains polyacetylenes that have both
anti-bacterial & anti-fungal properties. By
improving the function of many organs of
elimination (liver, kidneys, bowels),
many health conditions can be improved.
Burdock Root contains
high amounts of inulin and mucilage. This
may explain its soothing effects on the
gastrointestinal tract. Bitter constituents
in the root may also explain the traditional
use of Burdock to improve digestion. The
polyacetylene constituents have also been
shown to have anti-microbial activity.
Both European and
Chinese herbalists have long considered
burdock root's "lightly warming, moistening
effect" an excellent tonic for the lungs and
liver. It reportedly stimulates toxic waste
through the skin and urine, improving
digestion. The Chinese use Burdock Root as
an aphrodisiac, tonic and rejuvenator. Some
say it is good against arthritis and
rheumatism.
The anecdotal
beneficial effects of this herb includes
increasing circulation to the skin, helping
to detoxify the epidermal tissues. It has
been used in treating psoriasis and acne,
among other skin conditions. Burdock root
has been reported to destroy bacteria and
fungus cultures.
Anti-tumor
properties have also been reported. Burdock
is one of the finest blood purifiers in the
herbal system. It is classified as an
alterative, diuretic and diaphoretic. It
helps the kidneys to filter out impurities
from the blood very quickly. It clears
congestion in respiratory, lymphatic,
urinary and circulatory systems.
P arsley
General Information
Since ancient times, Parsley has been used
in variety of ways. The Greek god Hercules
was said to have worn Parsley in his
garlands, so the herb was woven into crowns
of the victors in athletic games. Ancient
Greeks and Romans also wore Parsley because
they believed it absorbed the fumes of wine
and prevented inebriation. Medieval and
Renaissance herbalists used this herb to
treat kidney and stomach problems, insect
bites, and for fighting off infection.
Parsley Uses & Scientific Evidence For
The chlorophyll in Parsley gives it the
bright green color, but is also responsible
for eliminating breath odors. Parsley root
in tea form is used to treat kidney stones,
and bladder infection. It also promotes
digestion and reduces gas. Parsley poultices
can be used to soothe tired, irritated eyes,
and speed the healing of bruises. Applying
the juice of the plant will relieve the itch
and sting of insect bites, and is a
wonderful mosquito repellent. Soaking a
gauze pad in the juice can be used to
relieve an earache or toothache. Some
studies have also shown Parsley to contain a
substance that prevents the multiplication
of tumor cells.
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Immune System Boosting
Ingredients in Liver Health
Alpha
lipoic acid
contained in Liver Health is an antioxidant
used in Europe to promote liver and nerve
health, and confer protective benefits
against oxidative processes. Alpha lipoic
acid has been called the “universal”
antioxidant because it boosts glutathione
levels in cells and has potent antioxidant
actions.
One of the
most beneficial effects of alpha lipoic acid
is its ability to regenerate other essential
antioxidants such as vitamins C & E,
coenzyme Q10, and glutathione. The evidence
is especially strong for the ability of DHLA
(dihydro-lipoic acid, a reduced form of
alpha lipoic acid) to recycle vitamin E.
This is apparently achieved directly by
quenching tocopherol radicals or indirectly
by reducing vitamin C or increasing the
levels of ubiquinol (a derivative of CoQ10)
and glutathione, that, in turn, helps to
regenerate tissue levels of vitamin E
Research in the last decade has strongly
implicated cellular oxidative damage caused
by free radicals as a cause of many
degenerative disorders. What makes alpha
lipoic acid so effective as an antioxidant
is that it works on both water and
fat-soluble free radicals, which are the
cause of damaging oxidative processes. Alpha
lipoic acid also plays a critical role in
energy production within the cell’s
mitochondria, as proven in rat studies.
Besides boosting glutathione levels in
cells, alpha lipoic acid has potent
antioxidant action in almost all the tissues
of the body, and is a co-factor for some of
the key enzymes (alpha keto acid
dehydrogenases) involved in generating
energy from food and oxygen in mitochondria.
One of the most unique and important
qualities of alpha lipoic acid is its
ability to quench free radicals in both
aqueous and lipid environments. This means
that the antioxidant activity of alpha
lipoic acid is working in the extracellular
fluid and also within the cell. It also has
metal chelating ability, helping the body
rid itself of accumulated ingested toxins.
In clinical studies to date with alpha
lipoic acid, there have been no reported
serious adverse side effects, even at the
high doses. Among the mild, reversible side
effects found in some patients have been
allergic skin reactions and possible
hypoglycemia in diabetics.
N-Acetyl
Cysteine
is a conditionally essential
amino acid, one of only three
sulfur-containing amino acids, the others
being taurine (which can be produced from L-cysteine)
and L-methionine from which L-cysteine can
be produced in the body by a multi-step
process. Cysteine plays a role in the
sulfation cycle, acting as a sulfur donor in
phase II detoxification and as a methyl
donor in the conversion of homocysteine to
methionine. Cysteine also helps synthesize
glutathione, one of the body’s most
important natural detoxifiers. N-acetyl-cysteine
is the acetylated form of L-cysteine, which
is more efficiently absorbed and used.
Glutathione (gamma-L-glutamyl-L-cysteinyl-glycine)
is a peptide (short protein)-like molecule
synthesized in the body from the three amino
acids L-glutamic acid, L-cysteine, and
glycine. Glutathione is one of the body’s
most important and powerful antioxidants,
helping to detoxify xenobiotics. A major
function of vitamin C is to keep glutathione
in its reduced form so that they can
continue to provide free radical quenching
effects.
Even though many published studies show
that garlic, selenium, alpha-lipoic acid, L-cysteine,
and N-acetyl-cysteine can boost cellular
glutathione levels, people with health
problems may benefit from taking high doses
of glutathione.
The liver is a large glandular organ,
whose functions include storage and
filtration of blood, secretion of bile,
detoxification of various substances, and
conversion of sugars into glycogen, which it
stores. The liver is also responsible for
processing many vitamins and nutrients into
a form that can be utilized by the body, and
processing many toxic chemicals for
elimination.
Modern living involves daily exposure to
substances that are toxic to our bodies,
which imposes a heavy load on the liver.
Therefore, a healthy liver is critical to
well-being. Certain lifestyle risks and
medical conditions make it all the more
important to ensure that the liver is being
maintained at its functional best.
In Europe and Asia, herbal liver tonics
have been in common use for centuries. The
effectiveness of the herbs used has been
validated during the past decades through
modern research and clinical studies. These
herbs generally contain antioxidants, cell
membrane stabilizing agents, bile secretion
enhancing compounds, or nutrients that
prevent depletion of endogenous antioxidants
such as glutathione. Hepato-protection is
beneficial not only for the liver, but for
the overall health and vitality of our body.
N-acetyl cysteine is the more efficiently
absorbed and used form of the amino acid, L-cysteine.
L-cysteine plays a role in the sulfation
cycle, acting as a sulfur donor in phase II
detoxification and as a methyl donor in the
conversion of homocysteine to methionine.
N-acetyl cysteine has antioxidant
properties, and helps to maintain healthy
levels of the liver’s natural detoxifier,
glutathione. In addition, N-acetyl cysteine
has been used to break up pulmonary and
bronchial mucus.
TMG,
or trimethylglycine,
is a potent remethylation agent derived from
sugar beets. This supplement is used to
protect against the damaging effects of a
toxic amino acid called homocysteine, which
has been linked to cardiovascular and
Alzheimer’s disease. Elevated homocysteine
has also been linked to complications in
diabetes, lupus, and other chronic diseases.
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