Jaundice, remedies

Herbal remedies that have been reported to be he-patotoxic include chaparral (Larrea tridentata), germander (Teucrium chamaedrys), and life root (Senecio aureus) [18]. Cases reported patients developing jaundice, fatigue, pruritus, markedly elevated serum liver enzyme levels, severe cholestasis, hepatitis, and hepatocellular injury or necrosis documented by serial liver biopsies [19-21]. Signs and symptoms may occur as early as 3 weeks to as late as 7 months following ingestion [20,21]. 

In China and Tibet, the plant is held in great esteem. It was believed that the color of the plant was caused by transformed human blood. The root is used to treat rheumatism, jaundice, hemorrhages, and all sorts of exhausting discharges. In Korea, the root is used to treat rheumatism, jaundice and menstrual disorders. In the Philippines, a decoction of roots is drunk as a remedy for urinary disorders. One might have observed the obvious relationship between the red color of the sap and the blood-related medicinal uses of the plant it illustrates the doctrine of signatures of Paracelsus. 

Nitrum also approaches the solidity of a stone, but is somewhat pale and transparent and its power to dissolve and to attract is proved. It has value (as a remedy) for jaundice and is of the class of salts. ... 

Turmeric is highly regarded in Ayurvedic medicine, especially as a remedy for jaundice and digestive problems (see Chapter 19). 

Many species of phyllanthus have been used in Ayurvedic medicine for more than 2000 years. It is a traditional remedy for ailments such as jaundice, dysentery, diabetes, skin ulcers, and urinary tract infections. Phyllanthus s principal constituents — lignans, alkaloids, and bioflavonoids — have been found to act primarily on the liver, which confirms its traditional use in the treatment of jaundice. Phyllanthus amarus attracted the attention of Nobel prize winner Baruch Blumberg. He and others studied its uses in preventing hepatitis B and devised a vaccine. 

The flowers are used to cure jaundice and bleeding piles (Brown, 1954 de Padua et al., 1978). Tamarind pulp alone, or in combination with limejuice, honey, milk, dates, spices or camphor, is used as a remedy for biliousness and bile disorders and as an antiscorbutic (Morton, 1987). 

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease occurred in a 38-year-old woman who had occasionally consumed Huamanrripa (Senecio tephrosioides) as a cough remedy for many years (35). She had abdominal pain, jaundice, and anasarca. A hepatic biopsy showed pronounced congestion with a centrilobular predominance, foci of necrosis, and in some areas a reversed lobulation pattern. During the next 13 months she was hospitalized four times with complications of portal hypertension. 

Serious liver damage may ensue from taking other herbal remedies. Noteworthy are cases linked to Ma Huang with its ephedrine alkaloids. Predominant symptoms include jaundice and liver necrosis (Nadir et al.,... 

Germander has been used as a remedy for weight loss and general tonic. Germander tea made from the aerial parts of the plant has been used for many cenmries. Twenty-six cases of germander-induced liver toxicity have been reported in Europe. A 55-year-old woman taking 1600 mg per day of germander became jaundiced after 6 months. Her bilirubin was... 

One retrospective study (Gold, 1980) reviewed cases of acute renal failure in 91 patients who had used herbal remedies. The majority of products used by the patients contained phenolphthalein and aloe extract or aloins. Seventy-four of the patients required peritoneal dialysis, 16 had jaundice, eight had neurologic impairment, and four died. One patient who presented with acute interstitial nephritis had ingested an aloe extract. 

Older races respected its curative power when laid upon parts of the body with suitable incantations or worn as rings or amulets. Its golden color identified it as a remedy for jaundice "the Golden Disease among the Hindus and later the Greeks, southern Persians and Germans ( ). 

TVaditional use In folk medicine, the fruits are used as a heart tonic, to treat neurasthenia, as an antipyretic, to relieve thirst and as an antidiarrheal remedy. The root decoction is used to treat rheumatism, fever, eye diseases, and as oral rinse for wounds of the mouth (Khalmatov 1964). The residue from a dehydrated water extract of the root is eaten, mixed with hot water and drunk, or applied to a cloth and applied externally, to treat jaundice, stomach aches, back pain and arthralgia... 

Traditional use The plant has a long history of use in folk medicine. Preparations were used as a cancer remedy. A deco-cotion of the upper plant parts (capitula and leaves) is used to treat constipation, jaundice, Uver diseases, hypochondria, respiratory tract catarrh, intermittent fever, gastrointestinal atonia, gout, ulcers, kidney diseases, urination disorders, and indigestion and is also used as an emetic (Ogolevitz 1951 Khalmatov et al. 1984 Khodzhimatov 1989). 

Traditional use Used as a folk medicine in Eastern and European countries. The resin was often used as a tonic and as a stimulatory remedy for gastric pneumatosis, pertussis, cholera, and other diseases. Avicenna applied it to treat tumors, jaundice and other diseases of the liver, stomach, kidneys, and spleen, and he also used it as a diuretic and hemostatic for uterine bleeding (Ogolevitz 1951 Kurmukov and Akhmedkhodzhaeva 1994 Khahnatov and Kosimov 1994). 

Traditional use This species is gathered in autumn or early spring. An infusion or decoction of the underground parts is used to treat cystitis, diabetes, jaundice, respiratory catarrh, bone tuberculosis, rheumatism, and hemorrhoids, and is used as a vermifuge, hemostatic for uterine bleeding, and to improve the appetite. An infusion of the leaves is drunk as an antiinflammatory and astringent remedy (Khodzhimatov 1989). 

Traditional Medicine. Use as ophthalmic for eye inflammations with mucous discharge a folk remedy for allergy, cancer, coughs, earache, headache with congestion, hoarseness, inflammation, jaundice, rhinitis, and sore throat (duke 2 foster and duke). In European tradition also reported as stomachic and for skin diseases. ... 

In the Finnish folklore —as an example which has been more carefully studied— the popular use of lichens as remedies seems to have been very widespread. Thus, for instance, yellow lichens Xanthoria parietina, X. poly-carpa, Cetraria pinastri) have been recommended for the treatment of jaundice similia similibus. Obviously, because of the exterior resemblance, Lobaria pulmonaria has been used for pulmonary tuberculosis and cough and Peltigera aphthosa as remedy for infantile aphthae. 

Chlorophenyl)thiazol-4-ylacetic acid ( Myalex , see these Reports, Vol. 1, p. 386) is a potent anti-inflammatory agent in animals, but it causes cholestatic jaundice in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and has consequently not become an established remedy. Its metabolism by microorganisms yields at least eleven (identified) metabolites. Attack occurs at its acetic acid side-chain, which is modified in a number of ways, in contrast to the hydroxylation of the chlorophenyl ring effected by mammals (see these Reports, Vol. 1, p. 392, and Vol. 2, p. 613). ... 

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