From Proyar Laboratory, we want to share with you the 2nd part of an exclusive article for our clients, written by Dr. Jorge Alonso, MD, MN 67,640, Director of the Postgraduate Program in Phytomedicine at U.B.A., and President of the Latin American Society of Phytomedicine.
Hepatic Plants (Part 2) See first part
Mixed Activity
These are plants that have been shown to exercise both choleretic and cholagogue activity. It is difficult to establish which species is cholagogue and which is choleretic, so in practice they are grouped with both functions. Among the main species with mixed activity are the leaves of boldo (Peumus boldus), the leaves of artichoke (Cynara scolymus), dandelion root (Taraxacum officinale), mint leaves (Mentha x piperita), barberry bark and leaf (Berberis vulgaris), combretum leaves (Combretum micrathum) and the leaf and flowering top of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis).
Both choleretic, cholagogue or mixed activity plants, are usually prescribed as tinctures for oral consumption, either alone or mixed together with 2, 3 or more plants. This is what predominates in the pharmaceutical market with the concept of "hepatic drops". The dose is usually around 30-50 drops, twice a day, in a little water. They can also be presented in tablets, to be taken always after main meals.
Hepatoprotective Activity
The plants that act here exercise a protective activity of the hepatocyte against external toxic, infectious or contaminating agents. These plants usually work through antioxidant mechanisms and by activating the detoxifying enzymatic systems of the hepatocyte, such as the glutathione system and SOD (superoxide dismutase). In any case, the prescription of a diet that reduces fat intake, reduction of rapidly assimilated carbohydrates and improvement in the contributions of solubilization substances such as choline and lecithin should not be omitted. Slow and measured chewing, combined with the incorporation of liquids before and/or after meals (not during), facilitate digestive functioning.
The plants that comply with hepatoprotective activity are: artichoke leaves (Cynara scolymus), milk thistle fruit (Silybum marianum), the aerial part of carqueja (Baccharis articulata), the aerial part of chrysanthellum (Chrysanthellum indicum), turmeric rhizome (Curcuma longa), saiko or false boldo root (Bupleurum falcatum), and black currant leaves or fruits (Ribes nigrum). To a lesser extent are carrot leaves (Daucus carota) and shiitake mushroom (Lentinus edodes).
One of the most appreciated vegetables as a hepatoprotector has turned out to be milk thistle, which contains a mixture of flavanolignans that together are known by the name silymarin, basically consisting of silibinin (the most active), silidianin, silicristin, isosilibinin and silibinin. In the form of a decoction, the fruit is used at a rate of 3-6 g of drug, 2-3 times a day. Silymarin is prescribed at a rate of 150-400 mg/day in the form of tablets. A noteworthy detail is that silymarin is one of the few compounds that can prevent or combat liver failure resulting from poisoning with the Amanita phalloides mushroom.
The other great hepatoprotector is turmeric, whose rhizome contains curcuminoids (especially curcumin). Curcuminoids are usually activated in the presence of black pepper (Piper nigrum), hence combined forms of both appear. Otherwise, the liposomal presentation form (without black pepper) also has good concentration of curcuminoids. In tablets, turmeric extract is usually given at a rate of 500-700 mg, twice a day, with 10 or 15 mg of black pepper. Turmeric is also antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Both turmeric and milk thistle are usually given in cases of fatty liver, to prevent its evolution to cirrhosis.
