Introduction

What results can I expect from complementary medicine?

How do I choose a therapist?

How much do complementary therapies cost?

Herbs that people with hep C use

Can herbs damage my liver?

 

Introduction

Complementary medicine includes therapies that are not part of current conventional medical practice (Western medicine). They are sometimes called natural, herbal or alternative medicine and often come from ancient cultures. Complementary medicine includes Traditional Chinese Medicine, naturopathy, herbalism, auyrveda and acupuncture. It also includes the use of vitamins and minerals.

Some reasons why people living with hep C choose complementary and alternative medicines include:

• Wanting to improve quality of life by relieving symptoms of chronic infection and/or reducing side effects of conventional treatment
• Cultural background and family influences
• Dissatisfaction with conventional approaches to healthcare
• Concern about perceived or reported side effects of conventional prescription medicines

If you decide to use complementary medicines, it is very important to keep seeing your doctor and talk about any complementary medicine that you plan to use.

What results can I expect from complementary medicine?

There is limited research into the effectiveness of complementary medicines for hep C. An Australian trial of a Chinese herbal medicine known as CH100, found no effect on hep C viral load but reported an improvement of symptoms and liver function test results. A limited number of other studies have been carried out. Contact the Hep C Helpline for further information.

How do I choose a therapist?

Before you start complementary medicine, think about the results you want.

• Do you want to reduce your stress?
• Are you seeking pain relief?
• Are you looking to reduce the side effects of conventional hep C treatment?
• Do you need more energy?
• Do you want to boost your immune system?
• Are you seeking support for depression?
• Do you want to improve general well-being or reduce your hep C symptoms?

The answers to these and other questions will help you choose a therapist and to assess the medicine that is right for you. It is important to choose a complementary therapist who is registered with a professional body. It is also important that they know about hep C and have experience in working with hep C and other chronic liver diseases. In making your choice, ask therapists:

• What are the potential benefits and risks of their therapy?
• How many treatment sessions are required?
• Would their therapy have any impact on hep C antiviral treatment, or treatments for other medical conditions?
• What are all the likely financial costs?
• If you are unable to attend, are they able to make home visits?

If possible, check with other people who have also received therapy from the therapist before you make your decision. If a complementary therapist suggests that you stop seeing your doctor, or that you pull out of hep C antiviral treatment, you should consider finding a new therapist.

How much do complementary therapies cost?

Costs can vary between therapists. Some health insurance companies provide rebates on natural health therapists registered with professional bodies. Medicare rebates are not yet available for most complementary and alternative therapies.

Herbs that people with hep C use

You should only take these herbal medicines under the guidance of a qualified herbalist or naturopath who is monitoring your progress. You should also inform your doctor if you are using herbal medicines so they are aware of everything you are taking to manage your hep C.

St Mary’s Thistle (Silybum marianum). This is the herb most commonly used by people with hep C. Studies have demonstrated that silymarin – the active ingredient in St Mary’s Thistle – protects the liver from the damaging effects of alcohol and toxic chemicals, and stimulates the production of new liver cells to replace damaged ones.

Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra). The licorice root is commonly used to treat flu, gastric ulcers, liver disease and chronic fatigue syndrome. In Chinese medicine, licorice root is often used as a remedy for jaundice and is considered to be a good liver detoxifier.

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale). Primarily cultivated in India, dandelion is said to promote the formation of bile, and to act as a tonic and stimulant for the liver.

CH100. This herbal formulation has been trialed in Australia for people with hep C. A combination of 19 different Chinese herbs, CH100 demonstrated a drop in abnormal liver function test levels. However, levels increased again once treatment ceased. The trials did not demonstrate any antiviral action. In a follow up study of 100 people with hep C, no effect on liver inflammation was observed, however CH100 significantly improved markers for body pain, depression and nausea.

St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum). This herb is promoted as a treatment for depression, and bacterial and viral infections. It is available as tablets, drops or in tea form. If you decide to use it, speak to a herbalist and your doctor beforehand as it is known to interact with some conventional medicines.

Can herbs damage my liver?

Some herbs – and combinations of herbs – can be harmful to the liver and therefore are potentially dangerous for people living with hep C. It is very important that you speak to your doctor about taking a herbal remedy and you tell your herbalist that you have hep C (or that you have a liver problem). The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (web link) has standards for herbal preparations. To check on whether a preparation has been registered by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for use in Australia, phone them or visit their website.

The following list is not exhaustive, but indicates some of the herbs that people with hep C should avoid or take special care with.

• Black cohosh (Actea racemosa)
• Creosote bush (Chaparral) (Larrea tridentata)
• Germander (Teucrium chamaedrys, Teucrium polium, Teucrium capitatum)
• Jin Bu Huan
• Kava (Piper methysticum)
• Kombucha (improper preparation causes contamination)
• Pennyroyal (squawmint) oil (Mentha pulegium)
• Piney Thistle (Atractylis gummifera)
• some Pyrrolizidine alkaloids: Heliotrope (Heliotropium angiospermum), Rattlebox (Crotalaria species), Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea)

 

 

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Stock photos used. People shown may have no actual connection with hepatitis C.

Top image taken with thanks from www.images.google.com.au

This page last updated 12 May 2010

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