Natural Liver Therapy
Herbs and Other Natural Remedies for a Healthy Liver
by Christopher Hobbs, L.Ac.
Interweave Press, 1986. Retail Price: $6.95
Reviewed by Janet Bridgers
Christopher Hobbs' Natural Liver Therapy should be on the "must-read" list for those with serious liver dysfunction, as well as for those interested in detox as a preventive measure. It is short, lively, well-illustrated, well-referenced – and well-written.
Hobbs has an excellent reputation as a clinical herbalist. I've used his "liver flush" twice, and been very pleased with the process. Also, a friend – a healthy, natural-foods-oriented person and a new mother at the time – became understandably freaked out when she was diagnosed with hepatitis C. Unwilling to undergo mainstream drug therapy because she was nursing, she instead consulted with Hobbs. She continues to follow his advice on nutrition and supplementation. Now she's fine, and the baby's very healthy.
Hobbs' book is a very reader-friendly guide to several self-help programs for cleansing the liver. These range for the above-mentioned liver flush as a semi-annual, preventive health measure through specific recommendations for
– poor digestion,
– skin disorders,
– emotional imbalances,
– drug addictions, and
– protection against environmental toxins.
The entire third section is devoted to hepatitis and includes information on causative factors, diagnostic symptoms, mainstream therapies, insight into liver biopsies, cirrhosis and fibrosis.
Hobbs, a fourth-generation herbalist, includes information on several things we've not seen in any other books. He has one of the best explanations on the link between emotional disorders, PMS and liver function. This is an area that he says is just beginning to be understood, but one a lot of people would like the researchers to hurry up and clarify for all of us. He also brings together traditional Chinese and Western medicine and tells which herbs are used for each condition.
He offers numerous recipes for herb teas you can make yourself as well as several very useful charts that help to sort out the confusing world of herbs for those who aren't even first generation herbalists yet.
Hobbs provides insights into his own history that make the book very encouraging for persons who face a long road back to health. He says that one of the benefits of fasting for him was that long ago, it helped him end his smoking addiction. And he mentions that at one time he had hepatitis.
If a person has severe problems, she or he definitely needs to be under the care of a licensed, holistically oriented practitioner while incorporating the programs of this book. For readers simply interested in detoxing at home, this book will guide them safely and confidently through the bulk herbs at the local health food store.
(Note: For your convenience, you can order this book at a discount from the friendly folks at Detox.org's primary sponsor, www.DomainEarth.com).
|
