Liver is a vital organ responsible for the body’s metabolism. It is known by different names such as Yakrit, Takima, Kalakhanda, Jyotisthana, Yakritkhanda, Yakritpind and Raktashaya in Ayurveda. Yakrit is said to the Pitta-sthana (seat of Pitta dosha). Drugs, hormones, alcohol, chemicals and all body toxins get metabolized in this organ called liver, making it the power-house of the body as well as prone to many Liver Disorders.

The Liver is the largest glandular organ located on the right side of the abdomen. It produces bile that is responsible for digesting and absorbing nutrition. It performs a lot of functions that keep our metabolism intact. It functions continuously to clear the toxins and keep our body free from unwanted waste and free radicals. Apart from bile production, liver regulates the amount of fat, sugar, and proteins in the bloodstream. Being the main organ responsible for body metabolism the liver works day and night to remove toxins and wastes from our system but when the liver cells are under too much stress due to a large number of toxins they fail to manage and thus result in slow damage. Liver disease of any kind is a serious concern and it needs to be addressed at the earliest.

Ayurveda does not separate emotions from the body. Yakrut is also considered as an important seat of anger, hate, envy, and jealousy. If these emotions are not processed and metabolized, it can accumulate in the body and lead to diseases.

Causes
Pitta can be aggravated by many diet and lifestyle factors. These include:

• Unhealthy food habits including eating too much red meat and oily foods
• Excessive use of alcohol and smoking
• Lack of sleep
• Pollution
• Irrational usage of prescribed medication,
• Obesity
• Metabolic diseases

Types of Liver Diseases:

Fatty Liver:

When fat accumulates under the skin, it leads to obesity. When it accumulates inside the Liver, it causes Fatty Liver. It is normal for some amount of Fat to be present in the liver but when the quantity of fat contributes to the increase the weight of the liver by 5 to 10% then the disease is named as Fatty liver disease. Excessive consumption of alcohol is one of the major causes for Fatty Liver. Along with the accumulation of fat there develops inflammation of hepatic (liver) cells as well and this is known as steatohepatitis. Fatty liver disease can occur even in those who do not consume alcohol and in such cases it is termed as a non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Symptoms: Some common symptoms of fatty liver disease are tiredness, weight loss, weakness, loss of appetite, lethargy and even nausea. Other symptoms are pain in the abdomen, enlargement of the liver that is usually noted at the time of palpitation and even darkness around neck, underarms and in the groin region.

Fatty liver can be diagnosed with the help of a blood test that includes Liver function test and from an ultrasound scan of the abdomen and also a biopsy of the hepatic cells.

Liver Abscess

Coli, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus and Entamoeba Hystolytica are the most common bacteria’s that are responsible for liver abscess. A liver abscess usually is a result of infection present in other organs such as cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation), appendicitis or may be generalized body infection; these organisms reach the liver though circulation either by portal vein or hepatic artery. A liver injury also may lead to a liver abscess.

Symptoms: Liver abscess is always associated with a high-grade fever along with chills and swelling. High-grade fever should never be neglected especially when it is associated with liver abscess. Pain is noted on the right side of the abdomen just below the ribs and this is noted after 3 days. Along with these symptoms, loss of appetite, nausea as well as vomiting are other symptoms. There may be pale or yellowish discoloration of skin also associated.
Ayurveda names it as Yakrit Vidraddhi and along with pitta; there is an imbalance in Vata dosha and rakta dhsha noted in liver abscess.

Hepatomegaly:

Abnormal enlargement of the liver is termed as hepatomegaly. Excessive alcohol consumption, viral infection such as hepatitis A, B or C, side effects of some drugs, malnutrition, some of the diseases such as malaria, glandular fever, diabetes or even leukemia may also cause Hepatomegaly.

Symptoms: Fatigue, yellowish discoloration of skin and eyes, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, swollen abdomen, and most importantly abdominal pain are some of the most common symptoms of Hepatomegaly. Ayurveda offers several therapies and excellent herbs that can help treat this life-threatening condition effectively.

Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E (Jaundice)

There are several types of Hepatitis but they all cause inflammation of the liver thereby not allowing it to filter toxins and chemicals from the blood.
Hepatitis A is a mild form of acute hepatitis. It is usually spread through contaminated food and water. Symptoms include fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, low-grade fever, Hepatomegaly, abdominal pain Jaundice, and joint pains.
Hepatitis B starts with acute illness but can become chronic, and is a sexually transmitted disease spread through infected blood, semen, and fluids. Symptoms include Jaundice, loss of appetite, tiredness, nausea, and vomiting.
Hepatitis C, mostly chronic is usually spread through direct contact with the blood of a person who has a disease. Symptoms include bleeding and bruising easily, Ascites, swelling in the leg, Heptic encephalopathy, and Liver Cirrhosis.
Hepatitis D and E are less common forms of Hepatitis caused through contact with infected blood or unprotected intercourse.

Ayurveda describes two basic types of kaamala or Hepatitis: Shakhasrita is caused by the minimal aggravation of pitta and kapha, and is easily curable and Kumbha kaamala results from very high pitta and is difficult to cure. Advanced Hepatitis is known to affect all systems in the body including musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and the gastrointestinal system as well as the skin. It can lead to several complications including Liver Fibrosis, Liver Cirrhosis, Liver Cancer, Liver failure, Heptic encephalopathy and much more.

Read more about Liver Cirrhosis here.

Ayurvedic Treatment of Liver Diseases

Liver health is very important and taking care of it is very necessary. Ayurvedic treatments for the liver will focus on balancing the Pitta dosha using diet, therapies and Yoga and meditation.

Diet: Pitta-pacifying foods are prescribed to patients to help strengthen the liver especially in the summer season. This diet includes the inclusion of madhura (sweet), tikta (bitter) and kashaya (astringent) taste in the diet and minimizing the usage of lavana (salt), amla (sour) and katu (pungent/ spicy) tastes. Foods that are bitter to taste have also got cooling and cleansing property and hence it also helps in detoxifying the liver. Patients are recommended to include fresh vegetables, fruits and greens so that the liver gets stronger and to avoid more accumulation of toxins. The inclusion of spices like garlic, turmeric, cumin seeds, cinnamon, fennel, coriander seeds helps the liver to function better.
Fasting with liquids such as fruit juices, lemon juice or just water once in 15 days will help to detoxify or cleanse the liver. Start the day of fasting with a glass full of warm water followed by drinking of juices or more water throughout the day. Buttermilk, carrot juice, beetroot juice, wheatgrass juice, grape juice, orange juice, and even lemon juice are very helpful and liver strengthening juices.
Irrational usage of alcohol, prescribed drugs, and tobacco must be avoided. Extra sugar, oil, red meat, and excess dairy products must also be avoided.

Therapies: Panchakarma is an important therapy for liver ailments and excess pitta. This includes Poorva karma (pre-purification measures), Abhyanga, Pinda sveda, Virechan, Pizhichil, and Yapana basti (using licorice, guduchi, katuki and manjista with milk and honey).
Rasayana therapies after Panchakarma should include herbs like Pippali, Ashwagandha, Sariva, Jiraka, Draksha for fatigue, immune enhancer and rejuvenator and to decrease the viral load. Triphala is also recommended for immunodeficiency and chronic illness.

Yoga: Apart from diet lifestyle changes and exercise also place a very important role in taking care of the liver. Here are a few Yogasanas that are helpful in activating the liver to function better:

• Padahastasana – Forward bend pose
• Naukasana – Boat Post
• Marjarasana – Tiger Pose
• Setubandhasana – Bridge Pose
• Adhomukha swana asana – Down facing dog pose
• Bhujangasana – Cobra pose
• Ardha matsendriasana – Seated half spinal twist pose
• Dhanurasana – Bow Pose
• Gomukhasana – Cow face pose
• Kapalabhati – Pranayama

Ayurveda’s holistic approach to Liver ailments makes it a more effective way of treating it. Diet and lifestyle changes are much more balancing and allow the immune system to fight off the virus more effectively. With Ayurveda, the goal is to learn how to prevent, protect and improve the overall health of the liver.