|  Foods to Use and Avoid
for Those With Hepatitis or Cirrhosis
Foods To Use
- Steamed green vegetables
- Fresh vegetable juices
- Squashes
- Whole grains
- Legumes, including tofu, tempeh, and soups with aduki and mung
beans
- Fish, organic chicken, and turkey
- Plenty of fresh water; add juice of half a lemon to a quart of
distilled water
- Fresh fruit in season, one to three pieces a day, depending on
season and climate
Foods To Avoid
- Alcoholic beverages of any kind
- Hot foods such as chili peppers and onion; use only moderate amounts
of garlic. Ginger is the preferred spice because it has a protective
effect on the liver.
- Pain-relieving drugs such as asprin and products containing acetaminophen.
Many are toxic to the liver.
- Most pharmaceutical drugs, especially anti-inflammatories and antibiotics.
Check the Physician's Desk Reference, available in a home edition
and at most libraries, if you are uncertain about the potential toxicity
to the liver
- Fried greasy foods; they are often difficult for the liver to handle
- Stimulants like coffee, black tea, or ephedra (ma huang) products;
they increase body metabolism and act as a central nervous-system
stimulants, increasing body heat
- Refined sugar products such as cakes, cookies, candy, and ice cream;
or foods with white sugar, honey, and maple syrup. Refined sugar suppresses
the immune system, stimulates metabolism, and increases heat in the
body. Depend on fresh fruit in season for natural sweets.
Nine Important Points for Optimum Liver Health
- Lower your fat intake. Eat less refined, cooked oils and fats.
Obtain essential oils from whole nuts and seeds.
- Rest the digestive system whenever possible. Don't eat too late.
- At night or too early in the morning. Don't eat when not hungry,
and especially never overeat.
- Be aware of proper food combining. Sweet fruit and cooked protein
are the worst combination, causing fermentation.
- Liver flushes and drinking lemon-water keep the liver moisturized
and free-flowing.
- Keep the eliminative channels open and free. Exercise to eliminate
toxins via the lungs and skin. Have at least one bowel movement a
day.
- Massage the liver area at least once a day to help remove congestion.
- Worry or anger can get stuck in the liver. Release these emotions
in a constructive way.
- Antioxidants such as vitamins E and C, beta-carotene, zinc, and
selenium protect against toxins. Herbal antioxidants are superior
to synthetic vitamins, though both can be used together.
- Herbal formulas to cleanse, protect, and stimulate the liver are
highly recommended. Teas for long-term use include a blend of roasted
dandelion, chicory, and ginger; Puri-Tea; Polari-Tea; or any of the
other teas in this book. Milk thistle is a must for rebuilding the
liver when it has been compromised or weakened in any way.
Herbs for the Liver
An effective herbal formula is often made up of several
components. Each part has a specific function, or action type. An herbal
formula for people with hepatitis may contain herbs with a number of
different action types, depending on the person's constitution and current
health. Here are some specific formula components that have proven effective
through scientific studies and clinical experience
Antiviral herbs to help protect liver cells
from viral infection
- Lemon balm tea, 2 or 3 cups of strong tea per day.
- St. John's wort, 1 teaspoon of tincture in a little water or
tea two or three times daily; or three tablets of powdered extract
per day.
- Shiitake powdered extract in capsules or tablets; take at least
2 and up to 5 grams per day. Note: A 00-size capsule contains 1/2
a gram of powdered herb.
- Garlic, taken fresh, cooked, or in capsules; any commercial garlic
product should have some garlic smell for full antiviral effect.
- Consult an herbalist before taking Baptisia or Lomatium isolate.
These powerful herbs are available in most natural food stores,
but they are very strong.
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