Disease Index

Homeopathy for Liver Cirrhosis

liver cirrhosis
Written by Dr. Manisha Bhatia

Liver Cirrhosis is a condition characterized by replacement of normal liver tissues with fibrosed scar tissue. Most common causes of liver cirrhosis include alcohol, hepatitis and fatty liver disease. The medicines given below indicate the therapeutic affinity but this is not a complete and definite guide to the homeopathic treatment of liver Cirrhosi.

Are you looking for a homeopathic cure for liver cirrhosis? This article discusses the homeopathy treatment of liver cirrhosis along with the best homeopathic medicine for liver cirrhosis treatment.

  • Liver Cirrhosis is a condition characterized by replacement of normal liver tissues with fibrosed scar tissue.
  • This happens due to the damage of liver tissue by various agents results in abnormal liver functions.
  • It is a chronic condition develops over the years.
  • Most common causes of liver cirrhosis include alcohol, hepatitis and fatty liver disease.

Role of LIVER in body

Liver is the part of digestive system located in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen.

  • Role of liver include production and storage of protein, fat, vitamins and glucose.
  • As a digestive gland it produces bile, an alkaline compound which helps the breakdown of fat.
  • The gallbladder, a small pouch that lies just under the liver, stores bile produced by the liver.
  • Another major function of the liver is detoxification. It removes toxins from the blood.

What is liver Cirrhosis?

Cirrhosis of liver is a degenerative disease results in fibrosis of liver cells. Liver cells get damaged due to various reasons like infections, alcohol, toxins. After injury cells heal by themselves. During the process of self healing scar tissues develop in liver parenchyma.

Normal liver tissue is replaced by fibrous scar tissue termed as regeneration nodule. New blood vessels develop within fibrous tissue. These blood vessels are small that cannot compensate with the blood flow within the liver results in increase pressure in portal vein which drains into the liver.

Portal vein which drains into liver becomes congested leads to portal hypertension, which is responsible for the symptomatology characteristics of cirrhosis.

Homeopathic Remedies & Homeopathy Treatment for Liver Cirrhosis

homeopathic medicine for liver cirrhosis

Homeopathy treats the person as a whole. It means that homeopathic medicine for liver cirrhosis focuses on the patient as a person, as well as his pathological condition. The homeopathic medicine for liver cirrhosis are selected after a full individualizing examination and case-analysis, which includes the medical history of the patient, physical and mental constitution etc. A miasmatic tendency (predisposition/susceptibility) is also often taken into account for the treatment of chronic conditions. The medicines given below indicate the therapeutic affinity but this is not a complete and definite guide to the homeopathic treatment of liver cirrhosis. The symptoms listed against each medicine may not be directly related to liver cirrhosis because in homeopathy general symptoms and constitutional indications are also taken into account for selecting a remedy. To study any of the following remedies in more detail, please visit our Materia Medica section. None of these medicines should be taken without professional advice.

Commonly indicated homeopathy medicines for liver cirrhosis –

  • Bryonia alba
  • Mercurius
  • Phosphorus
  • Nux vomica
  • Chelidonium
  • Myrica cerifera
  • Sulphur
  • Carduus marianus
  • Digitalis
  • Podophyllum
  • Plumbum met
  • Pulsatilla
  • Iodum
  • Natrum sulph
  • Kali bi chromicum
  • Taraxacum
  • Muriaticum acidum
  • Colchicum autumnale
  • China officinalis
  • Thuja occidentalis

Bryonia

  • When there are stitching pains in the right hypochondriac region, Bryonia is the first remedy to be thought of.
  • Under Bryonia the liver is swollen, congested and inflamed.
  • The pains in the hypochondriac region are worse from any motion, and better from lying on the right side, which lessens the motion of the parts when breathing.
  • Nausea and faintness when rising up.
  • Abnormal hunger, loss of taste.
  • Thirst for large quantity.
  • Vomiting of bile and water immediately after eating. Worse, warm drinks, which are vomited.
  • Stomach sensitive to touch.
  • Pressure in stomach after eating, as of a stone. Soreness in stomach when coughing.
  • There is a bitter in the mouth and the stools hard, dry, as if burnt; seem too large. Stools brown, thick and bloody.
  • Bryonia pre-eminently a gastro-hepatic remedy, and has pain in right shoulder, giddiness, skin and eyes slightly yellow.

Mercurius

  • This homeopathic medicine for liver cirrhosis has much sensitiveness and dull pain in the region of the liver; the patient cannot lie on the right side.
  • The liver is enlarged. The skin and conjunctiva are jaundiced (yellow colored).
  • Intense thirst for cold drinks. Weak digestion, with continuous hunger. Stomach sensitive to touch
  • The stools are either clay-colored from absence of bile, or yellowish-green bilious stools passed with a great colic and tenesmus.
  • There is a yellowish white coated tongue which takes the imprint of the teeth and there is a fetid breath, loss of appetite and depression of spirits.
  • All Mercury symptoms are worse at night, from warmth of bed, from damp, cold, rainy weather, worse during perspiration.
  • Complaints increase with the sweat and rest; all associated with a great weariness, prostration, and trembling.

Podophyllum

  • The principal use of Podophyllum is in liver affections. Primarily, it induces a large flow of bile, and, secondarily, great torpidity, followed by jaundice.
  • It is indicated in torpid or chronically congested liver, when diarrhea is present.
  • The liver is swollen and sensitive, the face and eyes are yellow and there is a bad taste in the mouth.
  • The tongue is coated white or yellow and the bile may form gall stones.
  • There is a loose watery diarrhea, or if constipation be present the stools are clay-called.
  • Morning, painless diarrhea.
  • Green, watery, fetid, profuse, gushing of stool.
  • Prolapse of rectum before or with stool.
  • Constipation; clay-colored, hard, dry, difficult.
  • Constipation alternating with diarrhea
  • Another symptom of Podophyllum is that the patient constantly rubs the region of the liver with the hand.
  • Functional torpor of the portal system and the organs connected there with indicates Podophyllum.

Chelidonium

  • The liver symptoms of Chelidonium are very prominent.
  • There is soreness and stitching pains in the region of the liver, but the keynote for this drug in hepatic diseasesChelidonium_majus homeopathic medicine for liver cirrhosis is a pain under the angle of the right shoulder blade, which may extend to the chest, stomach, or hypochondrium.
  • There is swelling of the liver, chilliness, fever, jaundice, yellow coated tongue, bitter taste and a craving for acids and sour things, such as pickles and vinegar.
  • The stools are profuse, bright yellow and diarrhea; they may be clayey in color.
  • It is remedy to be used in simple biliousness and jaundice, and in hepatic congestion or inflammation the character of the stools will distinguish Bryonia.
  • homeopathic medicine for liver cirrhosis is perhaps our greatest liver remedy; it causes the liver to secrete thinner and more profuse bile than any remedy;
  • It is a useful remedy to promote the expulsion of gall stones, and to prevent their formation

Digitalis

  • When jaundice arises from cardiac diseases, Digitalis may be the remedy.
  • There is no retention of bile, nor obstruction of the ducts, but the jaundice is due to the fact that the liver does not take from the blood the elements which go to form bile.
  • There is drowsiness, bitter taste, soreness , enlargement and bruised feeling in the region of the liver.
  • Digitalis is useful in the worst forms of jaundice if the pulse be irregular and intermittent, and if there be rapid prostration of the strength.
  • White, chalk-like, ashy, pasty stools. Diarrhoea during jaundice.

Myrica cerifera

  • Myrica is an important liver remedy.Myrica Cerifera homeopathic medicine for liver cirrhosis
  • There is first despondency and also jaundice due to imperfect formation of bile in the liver, and not to any obstruction, comparing here with Digitalis.
  • There is dull headache, worse in the morning, the eyes have a dingy, dirty, yellowish hue, the tongue is coated yellow.
  • The headache is worse in the morning.
  • The patient is weak and complains of muscular soreness and aching in the limbs; there is slow pulse and dark urine.
  • It is more superficial in action than Digitalis.
  • The jaundice calling for its use is catarrhal and this is the form produced by the drug.
  • The throat and nasal organs are filled with offensive, tenacious mucus.
  • Dull pain in right side below the ribs no appetite, and desire for acids; unrefreshing sleep.

Nux vomica

  • In liver affections occurring in those who have indulged to excess in alcoholic liquors, highly seasoned food, quinine, or in those who have abused themselves with purgatives, Nux is the first remedy to be thought of.
  • Bruised soreness of abdominal walls.
  • Liver engorged, with stitches and soreness.
  • Colic, with upward pressure, causing short breath, and desire for stool.
  • Constipation, with frequent ineffectual urging, incomplete and unsatisfactory; feeling as if part remained unexpelled.
  • Alternate constipation and diarrhoea-after abuse of purgatives.
  • Colic may be present.
  • The liver is swollen hard and sensitive to the touch and pressure of clothing is uncomfortable. The first remedy in cirrhosis of the liver.

Lycopodium

  • Lycopodium acts powerfully on the liver.
  • The region of the liver is sensitive to the touch, and there is a feeling of tension in it, a feeling as if a cord were tied about the waist. Cirrhosis.
  • The pains are dull and aching instead of sharp and lancinating.
  • Fullness in the stomach after eating a small quantity.
  • There is apt to be weight and aching in the liver; he can lie on that side, but on turning to the left side the liver seems to pull and draw.
  • Pain in back and right side from congestion will often yield to the remedy.

Carduus marianus

  • The action of this drug is centered in the liver, and portal system, causing soreness, pain, jaundice.Carduus marianus homeopathic medicine for liver cirrhosis
  • Abuse of alcoholic beverages, especially beer.
  • This homeopathic medicine for liver disease is indicated in jaundice with dull headache, bitter taste, and white tongue with red edges, nausea and vomiting of a greenish fluid.
  • There is an uncomfortable fullness in the region of the liver, the stools are bilious and the urine golden yellow.
  • Constipation; stools hard, difficult, knotty; alternates with diarrhoea. Stools bright yellow.
  • Swelling of gall bladder with painful tenderness.
  • There is sensitiveness in the epigastrium and right hypochondrium.
  • a dark brownish patch over the lower part of the sternum as a useful hint for Carduus, presence of “liver spots seems to be a special indication for the remedy.
  • Haemorrhages, especially connected with liver disease.

Phosphorus

  • Phosphorus is the remedy for fatty degeneration of the liver, with well marked soreness and jaundice.
  • The stools are grayish white.
  • Jaundice accompanying pneumonia may also call for Phosphorus.
  • Suddenness of symptoms, sudden prostration, faints, sweats, shooting pains, etc.
  • Fatty degenerations, cirrhosis, caries, are pathological states often calling for Phosphorus.

What causes Liver Cirrhosis?

Hepatotoxicity

  • Long-standing alcohol abuse
  • Medications (e.g., acetaminophen, amiodarone or chemotherapy drugs such as methotrexate)
  • Industrial poisons (CCl4, arsenic, Chloroform),
  • Plant poisons ( Aphlatoxine, Muscarine)

Inflammation/ Infections

  • (Chronic) viral hepatitis B, C, and D
  • Parasitic infections (e.g., schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis, malaria)

Primary biliary cirrhosis – when bile duct is damaged which drains bile from liver to the gall bladder, due to autoimmune response leads to secondary liver damage.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis – this is inflammation and scaring of bile duct leads to secondary liver damage.

Autoimmune hepatitis –liver cells is attacked by body’s immune system results in liver damage.

Metabolic disorders

  • Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)– fat builds up in the liver and eventually causes scar tissue. This type of hepatitis appears to be associated with obesity (40% of NASH patients) diabetes, protein malnutrition, coronary artery disease, and treatment with steroid medications.
  • Hemochromatosis (Homeopathy for Hemochromatosis) – Excessive absorption of iron from the intestine stored in liver results in damage of liver cells.
  • Wilson’s disease – characterized by low serum ceruloplasmin (an enzyme responsible for transfer of copper to plasma) and increased hepatic copper content in liver and damage of liver.
  • Hepatic vein congestion or vascular anomalies
  • Budd-Chiari syndrome
  • Cardiac cirrhosis – liver damage secondary to the impaired heart functions.

Symptoms of Liver Cirrhosis

Nonspecific symptoms 

  • Fatigue, malaise, weight loss
  • Jaundice
  • Skin itching
  • Dupuytren’s contracture
  • Abdominal symptoms
  • Hepatomegaly – increase size of liver
  • Splenomegaly – increase size of spleen
  • Ascites – accumulation of excessive free fluid in abdomen.

Skin changes

  • Generally dry and atrophic
  • Palmar erythema (reddening of palms) due to hormone imbalance.
  • White nails with ground glass opacity
  • Clubbed nails

Hormone disorders

  • Hyperestrogenism -Changes in the hepatic metabolization of sex hormones causes an imbalance in the estrogen‑androgen ratio, resulting in a marked increase of systemic estrogen levels. In men, increased estrogen causes feminization.
  • As liver insufficiency worsens, plasma testosterone concentrations decrease.
  • Gynecomastia –  increase in breast gland size in men and decreased body hair (e.g., loss of chest hair, female pattern of pubic hair distribution)
  • Hypogonadism – is decrease in male sex hormones may manifest as impotence, infertility, loss of sexual drive, and testicular atrophy.

Portal hypertension

Liver cirrhosis increases resistance to blood flow and leads to increase pressure in the portal venous system, resulting in portal hypertension. Effects of portal hypertension include:

  • Splenomegaly (increase in size of the spleen)
  • Esophageal varices – result from collateral portal blood flow through vessels in the stomach and esophagus. When these blood vessels become enlarged, they are called varices and are more likely to rupture.Variceal rupture often leads to severe bleeding, which can be fatal.
  • Caput medusa is dilated collateral veins around umbilicus due to portal hypertension.

Laboratory tests for Liver Cirrhosis

Signs of liver damage

  • Increase Liver enzymes (AST, ALT)
  • Increase Bilirubin
  • Increase Gamma‑glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT)
  • Increase Alkaline phosphatase
  • Increase Ammonia

Signs of impaired liver functions

  • Increase Prothrombin time
  • Decrease Total protein (↓ albumin)
  • Anemia due to vitamin deficiency (B12, folic acid)

Diagnosis of Liver Cirrhosis

Abdominal ultrasound should be performed first. Possible findings include:

Liver form and structure

  • Nodular liver surface
  • Atrophy of the right lobe
  • Loss of structural homogeneity (hyperechoic or variable increase in echogenicity) with fibrous septa.

Liver size: initially enlarged, atrophies and shrinks with disease progression

Other possible findings

  • Loss of intra hepatic portal and liver veins
  • Complications of cirrhosis such as portal hypertension.

CT scan 

  • Typical findings
  • Relative hypertrophy in different areas of liver
  • Regenerative nodules
  • Irregular liver surface
  • Indirect findings: ascites, splenomegaly,

Biopsy

It can aid in identifying the etiology of the cirrhosis if prior testing was inconclusive.

The above information about homeopathy treatment of acne is only for information purpose. Please consult a professional homeopath before taking any homeopathic medicine for acne. 

Liver Cirrhosis Cases Cured With Homeopathic Medicine

Understanding the Role of Susceptibility in Cases of Cirrhosis of the Liver – by Navin Pawaskar, Mohammed Irfan

 

About the author

Dr. Manisha Bhatia

BHMS, M.D. (Hom), CICH (Greece)
Dr. (Mrs) Manisha Bhatia is a leading homeopathy doctor working in Jaipur, India. She has studied with Prof. George Vithoulkas at the International Academy of Classical Homeopathy. She is the Director of Asha Homeopathy Medical Center, Jaipur's leading clinic for homeopathy treatment and has been practicing since 2004.

She writes for Hpathy.com about homeopathic medicines and their therapeutic indications and homeopathy treatment in various diseases. She is also Associate Professor, HoD and PG Guide at S.K. Homeopathy Medical College. To consult her online, - visit Dr. Bhatia's website.

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