Jaundice is a condition that produces a light to dark yellow tinge to the skin and the whites of the eyes. The urine appears darker than usual. Associated symptoms usually help to give a proper diagnosis, since jaundice is not a disease, but a symptom of other illnesses. Nausea, vomiting and discomfort under the right ribcage, for instance, would suggest a problem involving the liver. Pale-colored stools and skin that itches indicate a blockage in the bile duct. In newborn babies, physiological jaundice, which appears about two days after birth, is quite common. Only a high amount of bilirubin in the blood or jaundice that lasts more than one week is considered serious.
The cause of jaundice is bilirubin, a coloring agent which is normally released with the recycling of red blood cells then eliminated through the bile. Bile flows into the intestines during digestion, and the bilirubin gives the stool its typical brown color. High bilirubin levels can cause brain damage. If too many red blood cells are destroyed at once, as in rarer anemia disorders, jaundice occurs. More frequently, jaundice results from liver disorders, like cirrhosis or hepatitis, or is due to infections and flus that also affect the liver. Another source of jaundice is a back-up of bile through the liver into the bloodstream, due to a bile duct being blocked by gallstones, a tumor, inflammation or roundworms. Bile back-up causes the itching. In newborns, jaundice is often the result of a shorter life cycle of the red blood cells, combined with an inexperienced liver and intestinal tract. Incompatibility of blood types between mother and child, birth defects and liver disorders are also possible causes.
A diet consisting mostly of raw foods and juices, such as diluted lemon, carrot, beet or watercress juices, will help fight jaundice. They cleanse the blood and rebuild the liver. Turnips, onions and garlic are sulphur-containing foods that promote the detoxifying action of the liver.
For two to four days eat nothing but unpeeled black radishes, shredded into mashed potatoes without salt or fat added, to strengthen the liver and relieve symptoms.
If jaundice is caused by hemolytic anemia, where the red blood cells disintegrate before they become old, insufficient vitamin E is part of the problem. Vitamin E strengthens these red blood cells. Additional nutrients are needed to support the building of red blood cells.
During hepatitis, jaundice can be avoided or treated with large amounts of choline and vitamin C. These supplements should be added for all jaundice conditions, since the liver needs extra support to carry out its detoxifying function at this time. Choline supports liver function and is necessary for lecithin production, a substance which breaks down fats and oils. Vitamin C is used in the treatment of viral hepatitis. It also reduces the effects of toxins on the body and helps relieve jaundice. During acute attacks of jaundice, the need for vitamin C increases dramatically. If diarrhea occurs as a result of high vitamin C intake, reduce dosage (for more information, see Section 6, Nutritional Supplements).
If spasming of the bile duct causes jaundice, nutrients for nerve support and relaxation are necessary. These include calcium, magnesium and vitamin B6.
Daily dosages:
Most Important
Vitamin E, with mixed tocopherols,
400-800 IU daily for hemolytic anemia
Choline, 1,000 mg daily in divided doses
Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, 1,000 mg every few hours during acute liver problems, once daily for jaundice treatment
Helpful
Vitamin B6, 50 mg
Calcium, 1,200 mg
Magnesium, 600 mg
Detoxification of the liver and gall-bladder is necessary to alleviate jaundice permanently.
Black radish juice and some other kinds of radishes are excellent for jaundice. Make fresh black radish juice, with the black skin on, and drink 1 tbsp. diluted in water three times daily.
Stimulate the gall-bladder and liver with a dandelion, silverweed and black radish juice therapy. Drink 1 tbsp. of dandelion juice mornings and evenings for a week, then silverweed for a week and the third week black radish juice.
As a prevention, for adults and expectant mothers, cleanse with dandelion leaf salad and tea of the roots. Be sure to include 2 tbsp. of milk thistle and artichoke juice to strengthen liver tissue.
Beet leaves and roots rejuvenate and rebuild the liver. Add 1 cup of boiling water to 1 tsp. of leaves and roots, steep and drink twice daily.
Other useful herbs that support liver functions: stinging nettle, St. John's wort, boldo leaves, birch leaves, fennel, horsetail, Irish moss, rose hips, plantain, centaury, camomile, celandine, angelica and blackthorn. Any of these can be made into healing teas by pouring 1 cup of boiling water over 1 tsp. of herbs and steeping for ten minutes. Take 1 cup three times daily for two weeks.
Infant Jaundice:
Mother should drink 2 cups of catnip tea before nursing. Supplement the breast milk the first few days with dried comfrey leaf tea. Comfrey leaves contain amino acids which promote proper brain growth and help the growth of friendly bacteria in the baby's intestinal tract.
Increase enzymatic activity of the baby's liver with fresh wheatgrass juice, up to 20 drops a day for the baby or 2 tbsp. daily for the mother.
Homeopathy treats the underlying causes of jaundice. See the homeopathy sections under anemia, cirrhosis, gall-bladder and gallstones and hepatitis. For baby's jaundice, take one of the following in the 6c strength every two hours for up to ten doses when the first signs of jaundice appears. Consult an experienced homeopath if the condition does not improve.
Take Chamomilla as the first choice.
Take Mercurius if Chamomilla is ineffective.
If jaundice is caused by rhesus incompatibility, a type of anemia, take Crotalus.
Take 4 tablets under the tongue three times daily.
If the problem is the result of a congestion in the liver or gall-bladder, with sharp pains, bloating, gas and possibly green-colored diarrhea, use Nat sulph, a very common tissue salt for liver problems.
If the stool is pale with a tendency for constipation, try Kali mur. In this case, the tongue has a whitish coating and tastes bitter.
If the problem is acute, with fever, pain under the right ribcage and possibly vomiting of poorly digested food, Ferr phos will help relieve the inflammation.
Kali sulph will help if problems are caused by gastritis.
Apply hot compresses to the liver area. Use hot cabbage leaves instead of cloth compresses.
Bedrest, warmth and diet are essential for recovery.
Rub the body with lemon slices.
Two to three times a week take a wheat germ bath. Put 2 lbs. of wheat germ in a cotton pouch, tie open end with a string and attach to the water faucet so that the bag is immersed in the water.
Daily, wash the whole body with a cotton cloth moistened with a mixture of 2 qt. water with 1/2 qt. apple cider vinegar.
Nursing frequently helps the baby's intestinal tract excrete brokendown red blood cells, which cause jaundice.
Place the baby's crib near natural light. Five minutes of early morning sunlight exposure daily, covering the baby's eyes, will help break down the bilirubin which causes jaundice.
If jaundice is not healed completely, it can lead to liver-cell damage or possibly liver cirrhosis, even several years later.
Avoid all drugs during labor and cut the umbilical cord as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary red blood cells from the placenta transferring to the baby.
Nutritional Supplements
Ascorbate/Non-acidic Vitamin C (Ester-C)
Tri-Lipotropics (Natural Factors)
Herbal Remedies
Boldocynara (Bioforce)
Horsetail Leaves (Flora)
Schoenenberger Artichoke Cellular Plant Juice (Flora)
Schoenenberger Black Radish Cellular Plant Juice (Flora)
Schoenenberger Dandelion Cellular Plant Juice (Flora)
Schoenenberger Red Beet Cellular Plant Juice (Flora)
Silymarin Complex (Inno-Vite)
Dandelion Root Extract (Natural Factors)
LG Cleanse (Natural Factors)
Milk Thistle Phytosome (Natural Factors)
St. John's Wort Extract
(Natural Factors)
Swedish Bitters-Extra Strength
(Natural Factors)
Artichoke-Power (Nature's Herbs)
Camomile Extract (Nature's Herbs)
Dandelion Root (Nature's Herbs)
Fennel Seed (Nature's Herbs)
Milk Thistle-Power (Nature's Herbs)
Nettle Leaf (Nature's Herbs)
St. John's-Power (Nature's Herbs)