Hepatitis is basically an inflammation of the liver caused by a viral infection. Since there are several different kinds of hepatitis, including hepatitis A, B, C, D and E, blood tests are often needed to confirm the diagnosis. If not properly treated, some forms of hepatitis can turn chronic. This means that the person becomes a carrier. An attack of hepatitis affects the functioning of the liver, thus affecting the production of bile and the conversion of sugar into carbohydrates. The body’s ability to throw out waste matter is also serious hampered.
An attack of hepatitis leaves the patient with a tummy ache. One of the symptoms or signs of hepatitis is a change in the color of your body wastes. The stools will be pale, while urine turns dark yellow. Most hepatitis victims experience nausea and loss of appetite. Muscle and joint pains add to the general feeling of discomfort. The body takes on a yellowish tinge which is particularly noticeable in the whites of the eye.
Home Remedies For Treating Hepatitis
- First and most important is to give your body sufficient rest. Rest helps your body to recover and fight back. Most doctors suggest that hepatitis patients should stay in bed to recover faster from the attack.
- It’s important to take a lot of fluids while recovering from hepatitis. Try out vegetable broths, herbal teas and vegetable juices. They will replace the fluids that you have lost and will not irritate your liver.
- Papaya is very good for treating hepatitis. Grind papaya along with its seeds and mix it with lime juice. You should have a tablespoon of this mixture at least twice a day. Continue with this treatment for a month.
- Combine together 200 ml of spinach juice and 300 ml of carrot juice. It’s a combination that revives your liver back to health and will speed up the recovery process.
- Use hot and cold compresses in your tummy/liver area. During a hepatitis attack, these areas become very tender. The use of the compresses will bring some relief.
- Start your morning with 2 glasses of warm water. Have another six glasses of warm water during the day. This flushes out all the toxins from your body and reduces the load on your ailing liver.
- Once you are on the road to recovery, try out some stretching and breathing exercises. These should be done only after consulting your doctor. The best time to do them is early in the morning.
- Go on a raw vegetable and fruit diet while undergoing treatment for hepatitis. Remember that your liver will be unable to cope with rich and greasy foods. Your system is down and digestion will be tough. So stick to simple, home foods during this period.
- Phyllantus, the herb used in Ayurvedic medicines is very effective against Hepatitis B. In fact, it’s so powerful that having phyllantus will ensure that you do not remain a carrier of the Hepatitis B virus once you are free of the symptoms.
- The herb licorice is also very potent against Hepatitis. The herb has anti-viral properties. However, please do inform your doctor if you are planning on trying out this particular home remedy. Licorice should not be used on a long-term basis and should be completely avoided if you are suffering from high blood pressure.
- Eating beets is very helpful. According to Ayruveda theory, beets help in the regeneration of liver cells. Your liver is the focus of the hepatitis attack. Having beets will help it to recover quickly.
- One of the most effective home therapies against hepatitis is St John’s Wort. This herb protects the liver from further attacks by the Hepatitis virus. Take a teaspoon of St John’s Wort with water two or three times a day. You could also have St John’s Wort tablets.
- Have small and frequent meals when you are down with a hepatitis attack. This will help to prevent the nausea and also ensures that the liver is not overloaded with work during the process of digestions.
- Avoid all processed foods. Take only complex carbohydrates like whole wheat.
- Include garlic in your diet. Garlic purifies the blood and is reputed to remove all the toxins from the body. To get the full benefit of its medicinal properties, it is essential to eat garlic in its raw form. If you find this difficult, you could take the garlic tablets.
- Herbal teas are very good and can be made with herbs like schisandra, burdock rock, dandelion, and artichoke. Add one tablespoon of any of these herbs to a cup of boiling water. Strain and drink after five minutes.
These remedies will help your recover faster from a hepatitis attack.
