What herbal remedies can completely cure liver disease?

Jun 09, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, there is no such thing as herbal remedies that can completely cure liver disease. However, traditional Chinese medicines such as Gentiana (Long Dan Cao), Atractylodes (Bai Zhu), Turmeric (Yu Jin), Paeonia (Bai Shao), and Bupleurum (Chai Hu) may be used to treat or alleviate liver disease and its symptoms. The use of these herbs should be conducted under a doctor's guidance. However, for conditions such as acute liver failure or acute severe hepatitis, the use of herbal remedies may not only fail to provide therapeutic effects but could also delay proper treatment.

Generally speaking, there is no such thing as a complete cure for liver diseases. However, traditional Chinese medicines such as Gentiana (Longdancao), Atractylodes (Baizhu), Turmeric (Yujin), Paeonia (Baishao), and Bupleurum (Chaihu) can be used to treat or alleviate liver diseases and their symptoms. Detailed analysis is as follows:

  

  1. Gentiana (Longdancao)

  Components such as gentiopicroside in Gentiana have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, liver-protective, and bile-promoting effects. They can inhibit the release of inflammatory factors, reduce inflammatory responses in the liver, promote bile secretion and excretion, and improve jaundice symptoms.

  2. Atractylodes (Baizhu)

  Atractylodes can regulate gastrointestinal function, bidirectionally regulate intestinal motility, relieve diarrhea or constipation; it can also enhance immune function, helping patients with liver disease to recover their vital energy.

  3. Turmeric (Yujin)

  The volatile oils, curcumin, and other components in Turmeric have anti-liver fibrosis, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects, which can delay the progression of liver disease. It is especially suitable for patients with chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis who experience symptoms such as liver region pain and emotional distress.

  4. Paeonia (Baishao)

  Paeonia has a sour and bitter taste with slightly cold properties, acting on the liver and spleen meridians. It is particularly effective in nourishing blood, consolidating yin, and relieving liver pain. Baishao demonstrates good therapeutic effects on symptoms such as dizziness, blurred vision, pale complexion, reduced menstrual flow, and light menstrual color caused by liver blood deficiency, as well as chest and abdominal pain and diarrhea-related abdominal pain caused by disharmony between the liver and spleen.

  5. Bupleurum (Chaihu)

  Bupleurum has a bitter and pungent taste with slightly cold properties, acting on the liver and gallbladder meridians. It functions to relieve exterior syndromes, reduce fever, soothe the liver, relieve depression, and lift yang energy. In liver disease treatment, Bupleurum is primarily used to soothe the liver and relieve depression, improving symptoms such as chest and hypochondriac distension and pain, emotional depression, and loss of appetite caused by liver qi stagnation.

  The use of these herbs should be conducted under the guidance of a physician. However, for conditions such as acute liver failure or acute severe hepatitis, herbal treatments cannot provide effective treatment and may delay timely medical intervention, potentially worsening the liver burden and leading to more severe consequences.