Where can I get more information on treating hepatitis C with alternative medicines (e.g. milk thistle and ginseng)?
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is a helpful government resource for looking up herbal supplements and treatments for Hepatitis C.
According to the NCCAM:
The following section summarizes what is known about the safety and effectiveness of milk thistle and some of the other CAM products that people with hepatitis C use.
Milk thistle (scientific name Silybum marianum) is a plant from the aster family. Silymarin, the active extract of milk thistle, is believed to be responsible for the herb’s medicinal qualities. Milk thistle has been used in Europe as a treatment for liver disease and jaundice since the 16th century. In the United States, silymarin is the most popular CAM product taken by people with liver disease.
Laboratory studies suggest that milk thistle may benefit the liver by protecting and promoting the growth of liver cells, fighting oxidation (a chemical process that can damage cells), and inhibiting inflammation. Study results from small clinical trials on milk thistle for liver diseases have been mixed; however, most of these studies have not been rigorously designed, or they have looked at various types of liver diseases—not just hepatitis C. High-quality, well-designed clinical trials have not proven that milk thistle or silymarin is beneficial for treating hepatitis C.
