Jaundice: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Jaundice is a medical condition characterized by a yellowing of the skin and eyes due to an excessive buildup of bilirubin in the body, often caused by liver or bile duct disorders, infections, or certain medications.

It can lead to fatigue, dark urine, and loss of appetite, ultimately affecting the liver's ability to detoxify and filter blood. To alleviate jaundice, herbal remedies such as milk thistle, turmeric, and dandelion root can be used to support liver health and stimulate bile production.

However, it's crucial to consult a healthcare professional before using medicinal herbs, especially if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, to avoid potential interactions or adverse effects.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of jaundice, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of jaundice?

The main causes of jaundice are multifactorial, involving liver dysfunction, bile duct obstruction, and hemolytic diseases.

Liver dysfunction is often caused by viral hepatitis (e.g., hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E), autoimmune hepatitis, and alcoholic liver disease. Bile duct obstruction, also known as obstructive jaundice, is typically caused by gallstones, pancreatic cancer, and bile duct cancer. Hemolytic diseases, such as sickle cell anemia, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, and malaria, can also lead to jaundice due to excessive red blood cell breakdown.

Additionally, genetic disorders like Dubin-Johnson syndrome and Rotor syndrome can cause chronic jaundice due to impaired bile excretion.

• Biliary Atresia: Biliary atresia is a rare but serious condition in newborns where the bile ducts are absent or blocked, causing a buildup of bilirubin in the blood and leading to jaundice.
• Gilbert Syndrome: Gilbert syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects the liver's ability to process bilirubin, leading to a mild but chronic buildup of bilirubin in the blood and causing jaundice.
• Hemolytic Disease: Hemolytic disease is a condition where the mother's immune system produces antibodies against the baby's red blood cells, causing the premature destruction of red blood cells and leading to a buildup of bilirubin in the blood and jaundice.
• Pancreatitis: Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas that can cause the bile ducts to become blocked, leading to a buildup of bilirubin in the blood and jaundice.
• Medullary Sponge Kidney: Medullary sponge kidney is a congenital disorder where cysts form in the kidneys, leading to the buildup of bilirubin in the blood and jaundice.
• Dubin-Johnson Syndrome: Dubin-Johnson syndrome is a rare genetic disorder where the liver is unable to remove bilirubin from the blood, leading to a buildup of bilirubin and jaundice.
• Rotor Syndrome: Rotor syndrome is a rare genetic disorder similar to Dubin-Johnson syndrome, where the liver is unable to remove bilirubin from the blood, leading to a buildup of bilirubin and jaundice.
• Cholestasis: Cholestasis is a condition where the flow of bile is reduced or blocked, causing a buildup of bilirubin in the blood and jaundice.
• Hepatitis: Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver caused by viral or bacterial infections, which can cause the liver to become damaged and unable to remove bilirubin from the blood, leading to jaundice.
• Liver Tumors: Liver tumors, such as hepatocellular carcinoma, can cause the liver to become damaged and unable to remove bilirubin from the blood, leading to jaundice.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for jaundice?

The main medicinal herbs used for jaundice are Cassia auriculata, Picrorhiza kurroa, Phyllanthus niruri, Andrographis paniculata, Silybum marianum, Tinospora cordifolia, Cichorium intybus, Terminalia chebula, Eclipta alba, Curcuma longa.

Cassia auriculata is used for its hepatoprotective properties, reducing liver damage and inflammation. Picrorhiza kurroa and Phyllanthus niruri are used to enhance liver function, stimulate bile production, and eliminate bilirubin. Andrographis paniculata, Silybum marianum, and Tinospora cordifolia are used for their antioxidant properties, reducing oxidative stress and promoting liver regeneration.

Cichorium intybus, Terminalia chebula, Eclipta alba, and Curcuma longa are used to stimulate bile production, reduce liver damage, and enhance liver function, making them valuable adjuncts in treating jaundice.

• Cassia auriculata: Cassia auriculata has been found to possess hepatoprotective properties, which help to reduce liver inflammation and improve liver function, thus aiding in the treatment of jaundice.
• Picrorhiza kurroa: Picrorhiza kurroa contains compounds that inhibit liver enzymes responsible for the production of bilirubin, thereby reducing its levels in the blood and alleviating jaundice symptoms.
• Phyllanthus niruri: Phyllanthus niruri has been traditionally used to treat jaundice due to its ability to increase the excretion of bilirubin through urine and reduce its levels in the blood, thus alleviating jaundice symptoms.
• Andrographis paniculata: Andrographis paniculata has been found to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which help to reduce liver damage and inflammation, thus aiding in the treatment of jaundice.
• Silybum marianum: Silybum marianum contains silymarin, a compound that helps to regenerate liver cells, reduce liver inflammation, and improve liver function, thus aiding in the treatment of jaundice.
• Tinospora cordifolia: Tinospora cordifolia has been found to possess immunomodulatory and hepatoprotective properties, which help to reduce liver inflammation, improve liver function, and boost the immune system, thus aiding in the treatment of jaundice.
• Cichorium intybus: Cichorium intybus has been traditionally used to treat jaundice due to its ability to stimulate the liver and gallbladder, thereby improving the excretion of bile and reducing bilirubin levels in the blood.
• Terminalia chebula: Terminalia chebula has been found to possess antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties, which help to reduce liver damage, inflammation, and oxidative stress, thus aiding in the treatment of jaundice.
• Eclipta alba: Eclipta alba has been traditionally used to treat jaundice due to its ability to stimulate the liver and gallbladder, thereby improving the excretion of bile and reducing bilirubin levels in the blood.
• Curcuma longa: Curcuma longa contains curcumin, a compound that helps to reduce liver inflammation, improve liver function, and inhibit the production of bilirubin, thus aiding in the treatment of jaundice.

What are the main herbal preparations used for jaundice?

The main herbal preparations used for jaundice are Decoction, Tincture, Capsule, Suppository, Poultice, Salve, Cream, Ointment, Glycoside Extract, Powder.

Decoction is prepared from herbs like Globe Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) and Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) to treat liver and gallbladder disorders, as it helps in stimulating bile production and enhancing liver function. Tincture of herbs like Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is used to aid liver detoxification and reduce inflammation. Capsules containing herbs like Milk Thistle and Dandelion root are used to support liver health and promote bile production.

Glycoside Extracts from herbs like Silymarin (Milk Thistle) and Ursolic acid (Bearberry) are used to treat liver damage and promote liver regeneration.

• Decoction: A decoction of Silybum marianum seeds helps with jaundice by increasing the excretion of bilirubin due to its ability to stimulate the liver and gallbladder, promoting the removal of bile pigments and reducing liver enzyme levels.
• Tincture: A tincture of Phyllanthus amarus leaves helps with jaundice by reducing bilirubin levels and improving liver function due to its hepatoprotective properties and ability to inhibit the uptake of bilirubin by the liver.
• Capsule: A capsule of Cynara scolymus extract helps with jaundice by reducing liver enzyme levels and improving liver function due to its hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties, which promote the regeneration of liver cells and reduce oxidative stress.
• Suppository: A suppository of Taraxacum officinale root helps with jaundice by reducing liver enzyme levels and improving liver function due to its hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory properties, which promote the regeneration of liver cells and reduce liver congestion.
• Poultice: A poultice of Juglans regia kernel helps with jaundice by reducing liver enzyme levels and improving liver function due to its hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory properties, which promote the regeneration of liver cells and reduce liver congestion.
• Salve: A salve of Eucalyptus globulus leaves helps with jaundice by reducing liver enzyme levels and improving liver function due to its hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory properties, which promote the regeneration of liver cells and reduce liver congestion.
• Cream: A cream of Centella asiatica leaves helps with jaundice by reducing liver enzyme levels and improving liver function due to its hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties, which promote the regeneration of liver cells and reduce oxidative stress.
• Ointment: An ointment of Berberis vulgaris root helps with jaundice by reducing liver enzyme levels and improving liver function due to its hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory properties, which promote the regeneration of liver cells and reduce liver congestion.
• Glycoside Extract: A glycoside extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra root helps with jaundice by reducing liver enzyme levels and improving liver function due to its hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory properties, which promote the regeneration of liver cells and reduce liver congestion.
• Powder: A powder of Picrorhiza kurroa root helps with jaundice by reducing liver enzyme levels and improving liver function due to its hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory properties, which promote the regeneration of liver cells and reduce liver congestion.