Hepatitis B is a viral infection of the liver. It is caused by a virus called hepatitis B virus (HBV), which spread through blood and body fluids. Hepatitis B is a global public health problem that affects nearly two billion subjects, according to studies. It is the leading cause acute and chronic liver diseases. Sadly, so little is known or discussed about any hepatitis B home remedies.
HBV is the smallest enveloped dsDNA animal that belongs to the Hepadnaviridae family. Its DNA genome is an incomplete double strand of 3.2kb, that’s organized into four open reading frames. HBV is one of the most important causes of primary liver cancer.
What Are The Symptoms of Hepatitis?
For most people, symptoms of hepatitis do not show up when they are newly infected. However, for some others, especially those that have acute illness, the symptoms can last several weeks. Some of the symptoms of hepatitis B infection are as follows:
- Abdominal pain
- Dark urine
- Fever
- Joint pain
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weakness and fatigue
- Yellowing of eyes and skin
Home Remedies for Hepatitis B Infection
Several home remedies have proved effective against hepatitis B infection. They are usually herbal mixtures, which you can make in your home.
1. Stone Breaker (Phyllantus niruni)
Stone Breaker is a herbal plant with several health benefits. The plant is native in Nigeria, America and India, where it is used in treating several illnesses such as ulcers and urinary tract stones. However, the plant is a popular home remedy for kidney stone and hepatitis B virus infection.
Stone breaker is an annual plant with small leaves symmetrically arranged in its ascending herbaceous branches. The plant also has a smooth and light green bark and bears numerous pale green flowers which are usually flushed with red , while the fruits are tiny, smooth capsules with seed.
Stone breaker, on average, grows 50-70 cm tall, and is a tropical plant that is commonly found in coastal areas. Some other names of stone breaker are Gale of the wind, and Seed-under-heat.
Chemical Composition of Stone breaker
The chemical compositions of stone breaker include Lignans, Tannins, Flavonoids, Phenolics and terpenoids, Alkaloids, and Phenylpropanoids. The most potent bioactive compounds are the Phyllantin and Nirtetralin. Phyllantin is the active compound involved in dissolution of urinary tract stones.
How Does Stone Breaker Works in Hepatitis B?
The bioactive compound Nirtetralin, has been shown to possess antiviral activity against several viral infection, including HIV, HCV and hepatitis B virus.
This bioactive compound, Nirtetralin, suppresses the replication of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) monoclonal replicon RNA and HCV H77S viral RNA without toxic effect in host cells. The inhibition of HCV-NS3 protease enzyme and NS5B enzyme may be the main mechanism of action of Nirtetralin.
PawPaw Seed ( Carica papaya)
Pawpaw seeds are slimy and gelatinous. Looking at them, they do not evoke any appetite but, they contain several important bioactive compounds, including antioxidants, monounsaturated fats, and fiber.
How to Use Pawpaw Seeds As a Home Remedy for Hepatitis B Virus
- Add two spoonfuls of fresh pawpaw seeds in a blender and homogenize it along with other fresh herbal leaves, seeds or fruits. Sieves the liquid contents and drink morning or after dinner.
- In this method, grind dried Pawpaw seeds to powdered form; store in dry container and keep in a warm environment. Add a spoonful of the ground Pawpaw seeds in your meal or drink.
Caution! Pawpaw seeds contain certain cyanides, which is an anti-nutritional factor and can be toxic to the body when consumed in an excess amount. Therefore, add only a small quantity of Pawpaw seed powder in your meals or drinks.
Health Benefits of Pawpaw Seeds
Papaya seeds contain powerful antioxidants, improve gut health and help you lower your body weight and cholesterol. They also improve heart and liver function.
Is Pawpaw seeds antiviral?
Several authors have proposed the antiviral efficacy of pawpaw seeds, which are yet to be scientifically proven. However, in a study conducted on the effect of papaya seeds on the viral induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the seeds of pawpaw proved to strong inhibition against CCL4 induced HCC; making pawpaw seeds a good HBV home remedy. This however does not show a direct inhibition of viral replication or DNA synthesis.
Therefore, Pawpaw seeds should be taken alongside other home remedies for hepatitis B viral infection.
Turmeric (Curcuma Longa Linn)
Turmeric is another potent HBV home remedy. It is a perennial herbaceous plant, whose rhizomes are used as spices in food industries, textile dye, and as aromatic stimulant in pharmaceutical companies. Turmeric plants grow up to 3.3 feet in height and bear long simple leaves, which emerge from the branching rhizomes, which are below the soil surface. The rhizome is yellow in color and has pepper-like aroma and a bitter warm taste. Most people take turmeric as a tea.
Antiviral Properties of Turmeric Rhizomes
The first time turmeric was suggested to have antiviral activity was in 1990s , when its bioactive compound, Curcumin and Curcumin boron complexes showed inhibitory activities against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) viral protease in vitro.
Ever since then, Curcumin and turmeric have been extensively used as clinical and home remedies for hepatitis B virus infection, respectively.
Antiviral Activity of Turmeric against Hepatitis B Virus.
The use of turmeric as a home remedy for treating hepatitis B virus stems from the effectiveness of curcumin in the inhibition of the production of HBV constituents and HBV RNA in hepatocytes, thereby inhibiting the transcription of hepatitis B virus.
Additionally, the antiviral activity of turmeric is associated with an increase in the intracellular accumulation of the P53 protein.
Reishi Mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum)
Reishi mushroom is a fungus that usually grows on the back of other trees and in a hot and humid environment. It grows on trees that are dead or dying, and continue growing until the dead wood disappears.
Some species of reishi mushroom prefer cooler environment but some others grow on hot and humid locations.
Though a fungus, reishi mushroom is said to possess antiviral bioactive compounds, which makes the fungus a potential HBV home remedy for the treatment of hepatitis B infection.
Health Benefits of Reishi Mushroom (Gonaderma lucidum)
Reishi mushroom contains antioxidants and other bioactive compounds that may boost your immune systems, fight cancer and maintain good heart health.
Antiviral Properties of Reishi Mushroom
Ganoderma lucidum contains a bioactive compound, Ganoderic acid, which has antiviral activity against hepatitis B virus. According to some studies, reishi mushroom antiviral activity is boosted when it is mixed with other antiviral supplements. This shows that reishi mushroom would be a good remedy for HBV when in combination with other herbal remedies.
Side Effects of Reishi Mushroom
The side effects associated with reishi mushroom are related to dosage and long term oral ingestions of the fungus powder. Therefore, when taking reishi mushroom, ensure that you do not take a large quantity of the fungus. Also, do not expose your body to the fungus for a long time, say, a month. You may need to consult your doctor before ingesting reishi mushroom.
Some of the side effects of reishi mushroom are:
- Nausea
- Insomnia
- Chronic diarrhea
- Liver toxicity
- Itchiness in the mouth, throat and nose
- Bloody stool
- Skin rashes
- Upset stomach
Holly-leaved Acanthus (Acanthus Iliciforium L)
Another herbal remedy for hepatitis b virus is Holly-leaved acanthus, also known as holly mangrove. Unlike other home remedies mentioned in this article, except pawpaw seed, holly mangrove does not inhibit viral replication, but it does inhibit HBV-induced liver damage by lowering the transaminases. It therefore offers a protective effect on the liver. Though the activity potency of Acanthus is on the HBV-induced liver damage, it does not dispute the fact that it is an important HBV home remedy for treating hepatitis B infection.
Perilla frutescens leaves for hepatitis B
Perilla is a wonderful herbal plant with so many health benefits. It is beneficial for treatment of cancers, cardiovascular diseases, improve skin tone and fight depression. But that’s not all, the Rosmarinic and caffeic acids, which are richly present in the plant leaves have shown strong activity against SARS-CoV-2 and HIV reverse transcriptions.
Although there have not been any available study on the antiviral activity of perilla leaves against hepatitis B virus, the leaves have proved to be inhibit the CCl4 induced hepatocarcenoma, which is one of the ways hepatitis B virus causes hepatic cancer. This antihepatic cancer activity makes perilla leaves a home remedy for hepatitis B virus infection.
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