A healthy liver is a foundation for good health. That’s why during your annual physical, your doctor will check your blood labs for your levels of liver enzymes. If they are too high, it could signal that more tests are needed to rule out liver disease. Likewise, if your liver enzyme levels have jumped since your last check-up, it may prompt further questions from your doctor.
Do Herbal Medicines Raise Liver Enzymes
Whenever a new substance enters the bloodstream, or the chemical balance within the bloodstream changes, a normal liver will be activated to identify, monitor, and manage that substance or change to protect your body.
Herbal medicine can elevate liver enzymes in some people for that reason. Much can depend on the types of herbs you are prescribed, their dose, and the state of your liver, and your constitution’s disposition. Typically, unless you have a pre-existing liver condition, this is nothing to be alarmed about, because as soon as your skin condition resolves and you stop taking herbs, the enzyme levels return to what is normal for you.
Temporary elevation of enzymes can also happen from exercise, hormonal fluctuations (menstrual periods or menopause), or recent alcohol use.
Common Medications That Can Raise Liver Enzymes
Liver enzymes also increase after taking any of a wide number of Western medicines. You can experience an increase in liver enzymes from popular over-the-counter drugs and/or widely used prescription drugs. Here is a list of medications that are known to raise liver enzymes in a percentage of people who take them:
- Cholesterol Drugs: Statins
- Pain Relievers: Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- Antibiotics: Penicillin, tetracycline, and others.
- Anti-seizure Drugs: Carbamazepine, phenytoin, valproic acid.
- NSAIDs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Antifungals: Fluconazole, ketoconazole.
- Tuberculosis Drugs: Isoniazid, rifampin.
- Antidepressants: Fluoxetine (Prozac).
- Herbal Supplements: Kava, comfrey tea, and excessive vitamin intake
TCM Herbal Medicine Safety Measures
Just like all medicines, Chinese herbs have an effect on your body. The vast majority of Chinese herbs are safe to consume and pose very few side effects when prepared, prescribed and monitored carefully by trained herbal pharmacists and herbalists.
This is why it is always important to work with a certified TCM herbal doctor and not self-diagnose and self-prescribe Chinese herbal remedies or single herbs. Dosing and frequency of herbal medicines are based upon a host of factors including what other herbs are mixed together in your formula to balance the desired actions, and other medications and supplements you are concurrently taking. Even your own unique response to the formula or condition progress is monitored continually to measure when it makes sense to lessen/increase/eliminate/add herbs to your formula. More of any good thing is not always better –that’s true of any medication.
Choosing herbs of the highest quality is important. That’s why Amethyst Holistic Skin Solutions works exclusively with Kamwo Meridian Herbs. Kamwo sources only the best quality herbs, and prepares them under safe, quality-controlled conditions. In addition, your diagnosis and individualized prescription will be from a certified TCM doctor specializing in dermatological conditions from a whole person health perspective.
TCM: A Tradition of Honoring Liver Health
Actually, traditional Chinese medicine has excelled in cherishing and protecting liver health for centuries. Many herbal formulas tonify and clear stagnation from the liver as part of their therapeutic effect. Moreso than in Western medicine, TCM views the liver as a primary organ system governing overall good health. New research shows that TCM holds promise in treating liver regeneration disorders. When you think of TCM it is more correct to think of it as liver supportive in the broadest sense.
Conclusion
TCM herbal medicine is one of many medicines and lifestyle factors that has the potential of temporarily raising liver enzymes. While herbal medicines may raise liver enzymes for a percentage of people, it is not long term and resolves shortly after herbal formula has ceased. Those with pre-existing liver issues or those who may have adverse effects from taking herbal medicine are pre-screened thru a very thorough medical history and intake evaluation including a discussion with professionals at Amethyst Holistic Skin Solutions to determine if any type of herbal treatment is appropriate.
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About the Author
Olivia Hsu Friedman, LAc, Dipl.OM, DACM, Cert. TCMDerm, is the owner of Amethyst Holistic Skin Solutions and treats Acne, Eczema, Psoriasis, and TSW. Dr. Olivia treats patients via video conferencing using only herbal medicine. Dr. Olivia is the past chair of the board of directors of the American Society of Acupuncturists, serves on the Advisory Board of LearnSkin, and is a faculty member of the Chicago Integrative Eczema Group sponsored by the National Eczema Association.