Hepatitis is a term that encompasses not only viral hepatitis (hepatitis A-E; abbreviated HAV, HBV, HCV, HDV, HEV), but also inflammatory conditions of liver that may have a variety of causes. I will not go into detail as to how many diseases this term could comprise, so it’s important to note that this list is focused solely on viral hepatitis and while some of these herbs may also be beneficial for other liver conditions, it’s best to check out my list about liver fibrosis as antiviral herbs are best supplemented with hepatoprotectives and antifibrotics.

Hepatitis B is usually milder than hepatitis C, so antiviral drugs are focused on decreasing viral load (represented by HBsAg, HBeAg) or HBV DNA. In the case of hepatitis C, there are four viral proteins that are generally the targets of antiviral research and most of the synthetic antivirals. These are NS3/4A protease, NS5B nucleoside polymerase, NS5B non-nucleoside polymerase and NS5A. They serve as the main replicators of hepatitis C virus.

Viral hepatitis, particularly HCV, is a very life-threatening condition that needs to be addressed. Sadly, we still live in the world where some countries do not provide sufficient health care for patients that had contracted viral hepatitis. These people are often left to die if they cannot afford synthetic antivirals that are used to treat hepatitis infections. With this post, I wanted to provide a way of showing patients who cannot afford expensive antivirals that the nature provides us with a lot of hepatitis inhibitors that could greatly improve their quality of life. I understand that many of these are Chinese herbs and they may not be accessible for everyone, you can still find some safe options for you depending on where you live.

Very effective and non-toxic herbs & compounds that I recommend

  1. Elder (berry + flower) [Sambucus nigra] – effective against HBV, HCV, HDV, HEV
  2. Ginger (root) [Zingiber officinale] – inhibits HCV
  3. Licorice (root) [Glycyrrhiza glabra] – inhibits HAV, HBV, HCV, HDV, HEV
  4. Astragalus (root) [Astragalus membranaceus] – astragaloside IV inhibits HBsAg and HBeAg, but also affects HBV DNA
  5. Rhodiola (root) [Rhodiola rosea] – may inhibit HCV
  6. Nutgrass (root) [Cyperus rotundus] – inhibits HBsAg and HBeAg secretions
  7. Chinese gold thread (root) [Coptis chinensis] – inhibits viral entry of HCV
  8. Cork tree (bark) [Phellodendron amurense/chinensis] – berberine (just like in chinese gold thread) is an inhibitor of HCV
  9. Salvia miltiorrhiza– protocatechuic aldehyde inhibits HBV replication, decreases secretion of HBsAg and HBeAg, and release of HBV DNA
  10. Ursolic / oleanolic acid containing herbs – are inhibitors of HCV; some non-toxic examples include Oldenlandia diffusa, red sage, eleuthero, Rabdosia rubescens, jujube berries, self-heal, Patrinia scabiosaefolia and Ophiopogon japonicus
  11. Black seed [Nigella sativa]

Less effective herbs & compounds with low or no toxicity

  1. Blueberry (leaf) proanthocyanidins inhibit HCV RNA expression; proanthocyanidins (found in many berries) in general may also prove to be effective against HBV and HDV
  2. Delphinidin containing herbs – delphinidin (bluish anthocyanidin) inhibits HCV entry; I would recommend cornflower [Centaurea cyanus], but you can find this anthocyanidin in a variety of fruits and herbs
  3. Curcumin (found in a number of Curcuma species, but most notable Curcuma longa) inhibits viral entry of all HCV genotypes
  4. Japanese knotweed (root) [Polygonum cuspidatum] – lowers HbsAg and HBeAg
  5. Andrographis paniculata (aerial parts) – lowers HBV DNA, inhibits HCV
  6. Isatis tinctoria (aerial parts) – inhibits HBV
  7. Monolaurin (found in coconut oil) – inhibits HBV

Toxic herbs

  1. Chinese skullcap (root) [Scutelaria baicalensis] – baicalin is an inhibitor of HAV, HBV and HCV
  2. Sophora flavescens (root) – inhibits HBV and HCV
  3. Gentiana lutea (root) – inhibits replication of HCV
  4. Sophora tonkinensis (root) – inhibits replication of HCV
  5. Gardenia jasminoides (fruit) – inhibits replication of HCV
  6. Sophora flavescens (fruit) – inhibits replication of HCV
  7. Cordyceps (mushroom) – inhibits HAV and HBV
  8. Cuscuta chinensis – inhibits HBV
  9. Piperine (found in black pepper) is an inhibitor of HBV
  10. Rheum palmatum – inhibits HBV (most likely due to emodin)
  11. Ligustrum lucidum (seed) – inhibits HCV
  12. Honokiol (found in magnolia bark) inhibits HCV
  13. Solanum nigrum – inhibits HCV NS3 SP
  14. Artemisia capillaris (aerial parts) – analogues of chlorogenic acid may have anti-HBV properties
  15. Phyllanthus spp. – inhibits mostly HBV DNA replication, but also affects HBsAg and HBeAg
  16. Stellaria media – lowers HBsAg, HBeAg
  17. Milk thistle (seed) [Silybum marianum] – may inhibit HCV, but I suggest you use silymarin as the seed itself isn’t that potent
  18. St John’s Wort [Hypericum perforatum] – inhibits HBV transcription
  19. Anemone Raddeana
  20. Morinda citrifolia – inhibits HCV

Grey area (may or may not be toxic)

  1. Strobilanthes cusia – inhibits HBV
  2. Aeginetia indica – has prophylactic effects against HCV, reduces RNA of HCV in infected cells, inhibits replication and translation of HCV
  3. Curcuma domestica – inhibits HCV entry (most likely due to curcumin)
  4. Curcuma xanthorrhiza – inhibits HCV in entry and post-entry (most likely due to curcumin)
  5. Curcuma heyneana – inhibits HCV entry (most likely due to curcumin)
  6. Juncus maritimus – dehydrojuncusol is active against several HCV genotypes, including resistant ones
  7. Boehmeria nivea (root + leaf) – inhibits HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DANN
  8. Oenanthe javanica – inhibits HBV
  9. Ligularia atroviolacea – inhibits HBV
  10. Swertia spp. (e.g. Swertia mileensis) – swerilactones A-D, H-K are potent inhibitors of HBV replication
  11. Saniculiphyllum guangxiense – menisdaurin is an inhibitor of HBV
  12. Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides – inhibits HBV
  13. Stephania cepharantha – inhibits HBV
  14. Galla chinensis – inhibits HCV
  15. Cynara cardunculus – inhibits HCV
  16. Vitisin B – inhibitor of HCV
  17. Taxillus sutchuenensis – inhibits HCV NS3 serine protease (flavonoids and diarylheptanoids)
  18. Rhodiola kirilowii – inhibits NS3 serine protease of HCV
  19. Platycodon grandiflorum (root) – inhibits HCV
  20. Lomatium dissectum – inhibits HCV
  21. Polyporus umbellatus – lowers HBeAg and HBV DNA
  22. Ampelopsis brevipedunculata (root) – inhibits HBV
  23. Arnebia euchroma – inhibits HCV
  24. Thlaspi arvense – inhibits HCV
  25. Poncirus trifoliata – inhibits HCV

Please support the authors of the scientific studies that I referenced. Reading their articles at the sites of the publishers helps with their traffic.

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