Overview
Hepatitis C is a disease of the liver that is caused by the hepatitis C virus. The disease occurs in acute and chronic forms; symptoms can range from mild (or even no symptoms) to severe.
Natural Remedies
Milk Thistle
Milk thistle (scientific name Silybum marianum) is a plant from the aster family. The active extract of milk thistle believed to be responsible for the herb's medicinal qualities is silymarin, found in the fruit. Milk thistle has been used in Europe as a treatment for liver disease and jaundice since the 16th century.
Licorice Root
Licorice root is the peeled or unpeeled dried root of the licorice plant (Glycyrrhiza glabra). The primary active component of licorice root is a substance called glycyrrhizin. Licorice root has been in use in China since the second and third century B.C. and in the West since Egyptian, Greek, and Roman times.
Ginseng
The herb ginseng comes in two types: American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng). Among the Asian forms of ginseng are Chinese, Japanese, and Korean ginseng. (So-called "Siberian ginseng" is not a true ginseng.) Ginseng has been used for thousands of years in Asia. It is usually used with the belief that it will boost the immune system and increase stamina; such properties are thought to be more useful for the elderly and those recovering from illness.
Thymus Extract
The thymus is a gland that is involved in the regulation of the body's immune response. Thymus extract products consist of peptides taken from the thymus glands of cows or calves and are sold as dietary supplements. Often, these products carry claims of boosting immune system functioning to combat diseases, such as hepatitis C. These over-the-counter supplements should not be confused with the prescription drug thymosin alpha-1.
Schisandra
Schisandra is a plant that has been used (through extracts from its fruit) in traditional Chinese medicine – a whole medical system that originated in China. There are several species, including Schisandra chinensis, native to northeastern China and Korea, and Schisandra sphenanthera, native to China.
Colloidal Silver
Silver is a metallic element that is mined as a precious metal. People are exposed to silver, usually in tiny amounts, through their environment, drinking water, food, and possibly work or hobbies. Colloidal silver supplements consist of tiny silver particles suspended in a liquid base.
Source: National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
