Dandelion: Just Dandy for Your Liver

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) seems to spring up everywhere when you start talking about herbs. And if you happen to be one of those green lawn-loving types, you probably have met the dandelion personally a few times! Well, I am here to be the mediator between you and the dandelion to personally introduce you to this herb and its wide variety of uses. Maybe when you get to know the dandelion and see all the value it can bring to your life, you might not try to poison it again! The root of the dandelion has been used for years as a tonic for the liver and to aid with hepatitis, jaundice, and gallbladder problems.
You can pick and wash bitter leaves and eat them in a salad. The leaves are used as a blood purifier and kidney tonic and help stimulate digestion. Dandelion also contains several minerals and has been helpful in treating gout and other structural problems, such as arthritis and rheumatism. The flowers have been used to make wine and beer, and the roots can be roasted and made into a coffee. Wow—and you thought you were versatile! If I had only one herb to use, I would use the dandelion root to protect my liver from hepatitis. Of course, you will be seeing your doctor for help with this illness, but you can tell him that you plan to support your liver with some home remedies that will help your progress.
If you can’t get to a doc, some herbs may help until you can get to see one. A mixture for the liver you can take include rose hips (for vitamin C), barberry and dandelion (both good for the liver), fennel, red beet, horseradish, and parsley. Milk thistle added to this program is especially helpful when recovering from hepatitis because it will help rebuild damaged liver cells. These are all listed in the table in the end of the chapter.

The ABCs of Hepatitis Prevention

As you can see, prevention is definitely the best medicine for hepatitis. Here are some simple prevention tips:

• If you feel uncomfortable about the cleanliness of a restaurant, choose a different one.
• Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly before eating—and always after using the toilet.
• Stay away from any sources of contamination, such as blood-soiled products, hypodermic needles, tattoo needles, and intimate contact with infected persons.
• Always keep your immune system strong and your liver supported with herbs and nutrition. Eat fruits and vegetables rich in organic iron to feed your liver.

These foods are generally dark in color and include dark green vegetables such as spinach, beets, and black cherries. Pesticides must be filtered through the liver, so eating organic fruits and vegetables will keep your liver from having to work so hard. When dealing with any liver affliction, add vitamin C, lecithin, vitamin E, and barley juice to your program.

Cure for Hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver usually due to a virus or a toxic substance, but sometimes also a result of an immunological abnormality. Hepatitis A is transmitted by contaminated food or drink and occurs as a result of poor hygienic practices. Symptoms include fever, yellow discoloration of the skin, and an ill feeling. The illness usually lasts about three weeks, and an infected person may be contagious during this time. The good news is that if you are infected once, your body builds a natural immunity to the disease so that you should be resistant to infection if exposed again.
Hepatitis B is transmitted via an infected person’s blood or blood-soiled products, contaminated hypodermic needles, or sexual contact with an infected person. Symptoms include headache, fever, chills, general weakness, and yellowing of the skin. Some people can die from this infection.