Milk Thistle

Milk thistle extract, also known as silymarin come from the plant species Silybum marianum. The health benefits of this herb have been realized for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians utilized the medicinal properties of milk thistle, and there is historical biblical writing referencing the plant. In the 1st century AD, it was used to relieve snake bites and regulate mood which were thought to be related to the liver.  In the Middle Ages (5th-15th century AD), the recognition of the medicinal properties of milk thistle for liver pathologies increased even more ^[9].^†

Modern pharmacological studies identify silybin as the major (~70%) active ingredient in milk thistle extract.  Its other active compounds include silibinin, isosilibinin, silychristin, isosilychristin, silydianin, and taxifolin. Toxicity studies verify the safety of this extract, making it a valuable herbal remedy ^[9].^†

Silybin from milk thistle is categorized as an antioxidant due to its free radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory capabilities. It’s been administered as a powerful detoxifier for various chemical poisoning, and its demonstrated therapeutic potentials towards joint issues and neuroinflammation. ^[9].^†

Dandelion

Dandelion is a flowering plant that belongs to the genus Taraxacum. Dandelion has been referenced as having various therapeutic uses, mainly due to its diuretic, choleretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, analgesic, anti-allergic,  anti-hyperglycemic, anti-coagulatory, and prebiotic properties ^[20].^†

Beetroot

Beets, also known scientifically as Beta vulgaris,  is a common root crop often referred to as a functional food for being nutritious. Aside from beets being a good source of nitrate which is essential for maintaining cardiovascular functions, it is also a good source of phytochemicals (i.e. ascorbic acid, carotenoids, phenolic acids, and flavonoids) that are beneficial in promoting health and preventing various health issues ^[8].^†

Beet’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidantbenefits are largely linked to betalain, a pigment abundantly stored in the plant’s bulbous root. It’s the pigment that gives the beetroot that deep red appearance. The beet root’s most notable property is its anti-inflammatory benefit which has been utilized to relieve inflammation observed in degenerative health issues such as liver issues ^[8].^†

Artichoke Extract

Artichokes, also known scientifically as Cynara scolymus, is not only well known in the culinary world, it is also widely utilized as an herbal remedy. This plant originated from the Mediterranean and historical records dating to the 4th century B.C. demonstrate the popularity of artichokes among the Greek and the Romans as food and medicine ^[19].^†

Modern research indicates that artichoke extract has many health benefits owing to its antioxidant, choleretic, hepatoprotective, bile-enhancing, and lipid-lowering effects. Artichoke’s health enhancing properties can be attributed to its nutritional composition which includes polyphenolic compounds as well as potassium, phosphorus, vitamin C, fibers, and inulin. Artichoke extract is well recognized for its hepatoprotective property, which is its ability to protect the liver from damage ^[19].^†

Chicory Root

Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is recognized as a functional food because it contains a rich concentration of inulin. Inulin is a polysaccharide that is naturally produced by many plant species but chicory roots are the richest source. Studies suggest that inulin can play a part in reducing the accumulation of triacylglycerol, a known hallmark of nonalcoholic fatty liver. The compound also has potential in stimulating the immune system and reducing the risk for gastrointestinal issues ^[21].^†

Jujube 

Jujube (Zizyphus jujube) has over 4000 years of cultivation history beginning in China and extending to Europe, eastern Asia, and Australia. The jujube plant has a fruit known for its healing potential because it is a good source of beneficial compounds including vitamin C, phenolics, flavonoids, triterpenic acids, and polysaccharides. Studies demonstrate that the jujube fruit has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which make it a great functional food in combating degenerative diseases that begin with inflammation. Studies have shown that the active compounds in jujube fruit are effective in protecting the liver from chronic inflammation. The polysaccharides contained in the fruit also has gastrointestinal protective property ^[10].^†

Zinc Oxide

Zinc is a naturally occurring mineral beneficial to human health. Research indicates that zinc assists in the reduction of liver damage from viral, alcohol, and other liver issues. Zinc helps the liver by acting as an antioxidant and reducing inflammation. It also helps boost the liver’s immune response and it has an antifibrotic effect. Individuals with liver issues are typically deficient in zinc, thus supplementation is needed ^[15]. There are several forms of zinc supplements, one of which is zinc oxide.^†

Celery Seeds

Celery, scientifically known as Apium graveolens, has been used as herbal medicine in various traditional cultures. Different parts of the celery plant contain phytochemicals including glucosides and various phenols such as furanocoumarins, flavones, and trace elements (sodium, potassium, calcium, and iron). These nutrients contribute to this flora’s pharmacological activity. Studies demonstrate that celery is a good source of antioxidants that reduced oxidative stress and inflammation. It also has an antimicrobial, antiulcer effects, and it acts to reduce muscle spasm. Celery’s most notable health benefit is its liver protecting capability. Studies demonstrate that celery helps repair paracetamol-induced liver damage. Celery can also help reduce elevated serum liver enzymes, cholesterol, triglycerides, and improve lipid profile ^[1].^†

Alfalfa

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is widely cultivated as a forage crop but its healing  properties have not been ignored in pharmaceutical science. In fact, alfalfa has been utilized in many traditional remedies in regions such as China, Turkey, India, and America.  Alfalfa consists of saponins, phytoestrogens, alkaloids, amino acids, phytosterols, digestive enzymes, and terpenes. These compounds are responsible for alfalfa’s neuroprotective, hypocholesterolemic, antioxidant, antiulcer, antimicrobial, hypolipidemic, and estrogenic properties. Its therapeutic potentials towards disorders of the central nervous and cardiovascular systems have also been noted in the scientific literature. Additionally, oral supplementation of alfalfa extract has been reported as helpful in lowering cholesterol and lipid levels in the blood and thus improving liver function ^[4].^†

Burdock Root

Burdock (Arctium lappa) is rich in antioxidants and has been used for many centuries around the globe in Chinese traditional medicine as well as in North America, Europe, and other Asian cultures. Burdock has been noted to boost immune and metabolic functions and acts as an anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, and antiviral. The ability of burdock to protect the liver comes from its free radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory capabilities ^[6].^†

Yellow Dock

Yellow dock, also known scientifically as Remex crispus, has been used in traditional Turkish and Siberian medicine. Pharmacological research indicates that this herb contains phytochemicals including flavonoids and phenolic acids, and it’s been prescribed traditionally to aid in gastrointestinal and skin ailments. It has also been used as a detoxifier to cleanse the liver. Research also shows the potential of yellow dock extract in protecting the liver from oxidative stress and  inflammation ^[14].^†

Grapeseed Extract

Grapeseed extract has a wide variety of health benefits because it is a good source of a potent and natural antioxidant. Grapeseed extract owes its free radical scavenging ability from a class of polyphenol referred to as proanthocyanidin, and studies demonstrate that proanthocyanidin has greater bioavailability compared to other antioxidants such as vitamins C, E and β-Carotene. Free radicals contribute to the formation of a spectrum of human disorders including joint issues, advanced ageing, injury to organs such as the liver, memory loss and gastrointenstinal dysfunctions to name a few. The highly bioavailable antioxidants in grapeseed extract makes it a potent defense against free radicals and related degenerative diseases ^[3].^†

Feverfew

Feverfew also consists of aromatic compounds (camphor) and flavonoids (luteolin and apigenin) that is beneficial for skin health. Additionally, certain lipophilic flavonoid and polyphenols in feverfew have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and research shows that they have liver protective properties ^[7;13].^†

Turmeric

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a plant widely used in culinary and herbal medicinal practices. Curcumin, the main bioactive compound in turmeric is an antioxidant with hepatoprotective capability, that is, it detoxifies and protects the liver from damage ^[23].^†

Berberine

Berberine is a natural compound extracted from the Chinese medicinal plant scientifically known as Rhizoma coptidis. Clinical studies demonstrate the therapeutic effect of berberine on nonalcoholic fatty liver and related metabolic disorders. Oral supplementation of berberine has been shown to significantly reduce liver fat content, as well as improve lipid and glucose metabolism in patient with nonalcoholic fatty liver ^[24].^†

Ginger

Ginger is one of the most widely used spices around the world. Ginger root is not only known culinarily, but it has been used in traditional medicine since ancient times. For centuries, ginger has been recommended to aid in  inflammation. Modern studies demonstrate ginger’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capabilities. Clinical studies also show that ginger has therapeutic potential in addressing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by reducing inflammation and insulin resistance which are common symptoms ^[18].^†