Liver Cirrhosis – Yoga Management

The liver is one of the most important organs of our body. It is an organ that has the extraordinary ability to regenerate itself. Chronic injury to the liver leads to the malfunction and deterioration of the organ. Healthy tissues of the liver get replaced by scar tissues and this restricts the blood flowing through the liver. This in turn impairs the ability of the liver to perform its perfunctory functions.

Yoga is considered to effectively help patients with liver cirrhosis. Yoga differs from other fitness exercises as it combines physical postures (asanas), breathing techniques and meditation in order to maintain a balance between physical, mental and emotional well being.

Yoga that helps the liver does not literally mean that the asanas exercise the liver, but rather mean that they stimulate and improve the functioning of the liver. Some poses provide a direct benefit by putting gentle pressure on the liver and stimulating it. While other poses help the body to recover from liver damage, improve circulation of blood and cleanse the system. It not only helps lower stress levels but also assists in enhancing the physical as well as psychological health. It helps feel better and aids the body to react more favourably to treatment.

The following asanas are recommended for treating liver cirrhosis:

Kapalbhati pranayama – This is a breathing exercise basically meant for complete fitness of the body. With devoted practice of this pranayama, cirrhosis might get permanently cured.

Matsya asana – This asana is also known as the fish pose. The posture falls under the category of backbends. It strengthens and stimulates the organs of the belly.

Sarvang asana – This is one of inverted postures in yoga that benefits the entire body. It promotes circulation of blood to the entire body especially towards the heart.

Hal asana – This is one of the basic postures in yoga. It stretches the spine and rejuvenates the entire body. Also known as the plough pose, this asana soothes the stomach, belly and liver.

Chakra asana – Also known as the wheel pose, this asana too comforts the liver and the stomach.

Marjari asana – This asana is also known as the cat posture. Inspired by the mannerisms of cats, this gives flexibility to the backbone.

Gomukh asana – This is also known as cow head pose. It massages the abdominal organs, increases blood circulation and activates the nervous system.

Garuda asana – Also known as the eagle pose, it aims towards balance and tranquillity of the body. It also strengthens ankles and calf muscles.

You should also do breathing exercises along with these asanas so that there is better supply of oxygen to the liver. Practising breathing exercises also aids in pumping clean blood which increases the metabolism of the body. Please ensure that you learn the various asanas under the guidance of an experienced instructor. This is because failure to do the asanas correctly may lead to injury. Also keep in mind that in addition to yoga, you need to follow a healthy lifestyle and maintain a strict diet.


Ayurvedic Liver Medicine    Herbal Treatment Cirrhosis

Liver Cirrhosis – Causes

Liver is a vital organ of our body that is situated under the diaphragm in the upper right abdominal cavity. It performs various important functions that include controlling infections, making proteins that regulate blood clotting, producing bile, urea and cholesterol, metabolising various drugs used in medicines and so on.

Any kind of chronic injury can result in abnormal functioning and slow deterioration of the liver that culminates into cirrhosis of the liver. Healthy liver tissues get replaced by scar tissues, fibrosis and regenerative nodules that do not allow the liver to perform its vital functions. Though liver is the only organ that can regenerate itself, with cirrhosis, it loses the capability to do so.

Liver cirrhosis has numerous causes though the most common amongst them all are excessive consumption of alcohol and chronic hepatitis C. Here are the causes in detail:

Alcohol

Excessive consumption of alcohol over a period of several years can cause chronic injury to the liver that can lead to cirrhosis. Individual tolerance levels to alcohol vary between males and females. The normal metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates gets obstructed with excessive alcoholism.

Chronic Hepatitis C

When a person is affected by the hepatitis C virus, it causes inflammation and low grade damage to the liver which can culminate into cirrhosis over the years. A person can contract the virus by coming in contact with an infected person’s blood.

Chronic Hepatitis B and D

Similar to the hepatitis C virus, hepatitis B causes inflammation and injury to the liver that can lead to cirrhosis over years. One can contract the virus by contacting infected person’s blood, semen or other body fluids. The hepatitis D virus can infect only people who already have hepatitis B.

Autoimmune Hepatitis

Research has led to the belief that some people may be more prone to autoimmune diseases because of genetic factors. In autoimmune hepatitis, the body’s immune system attacks the liver cells as the body’s antibodies do not recognise the liver as its own tissue. This causes inflammation, injury and over a period of time, cirrhosis.

Impaired Bile Ducts

Bile ducts can be impaired by birth or can develop later in life. There are various diseases that can cause damage to the ducts that carry bile from the liver. This causes the bile to accumulate in the liver and eventually leads to cirrhosis.

Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)

This is an increasingly common liver disease nowadays in which the liver gets accumulated with fat which eventually leads to cirrhosis. This form of hepatitis is associated with diabetes, obesity, protein malnutrition, coronary artery disease and corticosteroid medication.

Drugs, Toxins and Infections

Cirrhosis can also be caused by protracted exposure to poisonous chemicals, adverse reaction to specific drugs, parasitic infections and repeated spells of heart failure coupled with liver congestion.

Abnormal Storage of Copper or Iron

These metals are present in the body but when they accumulate in excess amounts in the liver, it may lead to scarring and eventually cirrhosis of the liver. Abnormal storage of copper is called Wilson’s disease while that of copper is called Hemochromatosis.


Ayurvedic Liver Medicine    Herbal Treatment Cirrhosis

Liver Cirrhosis - Ayurveda Concept

Ayurveda is believed to have originated in the Indian subcontinent nearly 5000 years ago. It is a system of traditional medicine that is fast becoming popular all over the world. Ayurveda lays emphasis on healthy living. In order to keep illness at bay, ayurveda stresses on hygiene, yoga, exercise and herbal preparations. And in order to cure ailments, it emphasises the importance of diet, physiotherapy and ayurvedic medicines.

In ayurveda, the liver is referred to as ‘yakrut’ or ‘yakrita'. The derivation of the word comes from ‘yaha’ meaning one and ‘krut’ that literally means does. Thus the liver is considered to be an extremely important organ of the body that performs various vital functions. The basic functions of the liver include eliminating wastes from the body, producing urea, cholesterol and bile, filtering harmful substances from the blood, making proteins, maintaining an appropriate level of glucose in the body and so on.

The basic fundamentals of ayurveda are based on the principle that the human body is composed of four basics – dosha, dhatu, mala and agni. According to ayurveda, liver cirrhosis is known as ‘yakrut vishamyata’. In this disease, the liver cells decay as the kapha, meaning phlegm of the body, mixes with impure blood. This disease is categorised into three parts according to the increase in a particular dosha in the body. The three parts are:

·         Vataj, which is caused by excess vatta in the body.

·         Pittaj, which is caused by excess pitta in the body.

·         Kaphaj, which is caused by excess kapha in the body.

Ayurvedic solution to the treatment of liver cirrhosis has been found to have a high success rate. Many medicinal plants and a combination of them are administered to help cure this disease. Some very effective medications to cure liver cirrhosis are ‘bhringaraja’ (eclipta alba), arogyavardhini and ‘katuki’ (picrorhiza). While taking ayurvedic medicines, one should take special care regarding their diet.


 Ayurvedic Liver Medicine     Herbal Treatment Cirrhosis

Liv.52 in Cirrhosis

Liver is one of the most important organs of our body that performs various fundamental functions to keep our body healthy. A few of these functions include eliminating wastes from the body, producing various substances like bile, cholesterol, proteins and urea, filtering the blood of the harmful effects of various toxins, etc. Liver cirrhosis is a chronic disease that leads to the scarring of the liver tissues which causes permanent damage to the liver.

Nowadays, more and more people tend to rely on the use of herbal medicines for prevention and control of chronic liver diseases like cirrhosis. This is due to the inefficiency, expensiveness and adverse reaction of conventional drugs.

Himalaya Healthcare’s Liv.52, a herbal product, is known to reduce the effects of liver cirrhosis. This tonic was introduced more than 50 years ago as a liver tonic for treating various liver ailments. Over the years, many research trials have exhibited the efficacy of Liv.52.

One of the best designed clinical trials of Liv.52 was done by the Institute of Medicinal Plants in Tehran, Iran. This trial was conducted over a period of six months in which Liv.52 or placebo was allocated randomly to 36 patients with liver cirrhosis. Over this period, the medical team then monitored the functioning of the liver with numerous methods that focused on liver damage and studied ascites. As a consequence of this experiment, it was noticed that there were no significant changes in the placebo group but cirrhosis markers in the Liv.52 group were significantly lower.

The defending effect of Liv.52 is believed to be the cause of the diuretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and immunomodulating properties exhibited by the herbs used in the product. Some of the herbs present in Liv.52 are believed to boost levels of glutathione, an antioxidant that provides excellent liver support.

Herbs used in Liv.52 include Tamarisk (Tamarix Gallica), Negro Coffee (Cassia Occidentalis), Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium), Wild Chicory (Cichorium Intybus), Capers (Capparis Spinosa), Black Nightshade (Solanum Nigrum) and Arjuna (Terminalia Arjuna).


 Ayurvedic Liver Medicine     Herbal Treatment Cirrhosis

Liv. 52 – Varieties

Himalaya Healthcare’s Liv. 52 is a world-famous liver protection formula that is made wholly from herbal ingredients. Introduced in 1955, it has been sold in more than 40 countries all over the world. It is highly recommended by thousands of medical professionals.

Liv. 52 helps in improving the functional efficiency of the liver by guaranteeing optimum liver function. It helps regulate enzyme levels and optimises assimilation. It also removes toxins from the body and helps in avoiding the harmful effects of food, air, water and medication. Liv. 52 has a unique herbal formulation that has no side-effects.

  

Liv. 52 is available in various forms, from tablets to syrup. It is also available for your cattle. Here are the different varieties of Liv. 52 available in the market.

Liv. 52 Tablets and Syrup

It protects the hepatic parenchyma and promotes hepatocellular regeneration. This aids in refurbishing the liver’s functional efficiency. If taken for general debility, it hastens the recovery process. It helps to recover from jaundice, alcohol-induced hepatic damage and pre-cirrhotic condition. If taken as a daily health supplement, it helps in weight gain by improving appetite and digestion.

Liv. 52 DS Tablets and Syrup

This is a double strength hepatospecific formulation. Its ingredients are exactly the same as in the normal Liv. 52 tablets but double the amount. It helps in the treatment of hepatitis, jaundice and early cirrhotic conditions. It can be taken not only in case of appetite loss and protein energy malnutrition, but also proves to be helpful in case of radiation and chemotherapy-induced liver damage.

Liv. 52 Drops

Liv. 52 Drops are primarily useful for infants and children. It helps in case of loss of appetite by improving digestion. It thus helps children to gain weight. Many people are apprehensive to give medication to infants, but as this is a herbal formulation that children can be administered without hesitation.

Liv. 52 Protec

This comes in the form of liquid and can be administered to cattle for improving metabolism, calcium absorption, bone formation and feed utilisation. It also protects the animals from various toxic effects.

Liv. 52 Vet

When administered to cattle, it improves energy level, promotes growth, and increases weight and milk production. It helps in curing aflatoxicosis, hepatitis, jaundice, ascitis, fatty liver disease and toxaemia. It can also be given for general weakness that can aid the animal in recuperating.


Ayurvedic Liver Medicine    Herbal Treatment Cirrhosis