Medicinal Plants and Natural Dietary Supplements with Anti-Obesity Therapeutic Effects for Treatment of Different Kinds of Hepatitis (eBook)

The potential of medicinal plants as a safe option in treating obesity and overweight has gained attention in recent years. Obesity has become a major public health concern, and its incidence is rising at an alarming rate. Obesity is one of the major types of metabolic syndrome, resulting in various types of problems such hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and excess fat accumulation. Hepatitis is a systematic viral infection that predominantly affects the liver and is classified into five types on the basis of the causative virus. Hepatitis is a major health-related disease spread worldwide with frequent occurrence of epidemics. Three main types of hepatitis are known as hepatitis A, B, and C, and two other types are D and E. Each is caused by a different virus, and all three types can be acute, lasting for 6 months or less, and types B and C can be chronic, lasting for longer. The most important herbs which are used to prevent and treat different kinds of hepatitis are cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis), milk thistle (Silybum marianum), licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra), and reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum). The most important signs and symptoms of hepatitis are flu, jaundice, abdominal pain, fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, dark urine, diarrhea, whole body itching, mild anemia, and enlarged and tender liver. The most important anti-hepatitis medical plants are Curcuma longa Linn., Ganoderma lucidum, Phyllanthus amarus or Phyllanthus niruri, Phyllanthusanus, Acanthus ilicifolius L., Oenanthe javanica, Swertia patens, Swertia chirayita, Boehmeria nivea, Citrus Sinensis, Rhodiola kirilowii, Acacia nilotica, Boswellia carterii, Embelia schimperi, Quercus infectoria, Trachyspermum ammi, Piper cubeba, Syzygium aromaticum, Zingiber officinale, Silybum marianum, Saxifraga melanocentra, Mentha longifolia, Ocimum basilicum, Taraxacum Officinalis, Lepidium sativum, Trigonella foenum graecum, Azadirachta indica, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Jatropha curcas Linnaeus, Cynara scolymus, Matricaria chamomilla, Cassia fistula, Marchantia thallus, Silybum marianum, Sophora flavescens, Flacourtia indica Governor,s Plum and Morinda citrifolia. It seems that the use of natural and traditional medicinal plants in the treatment of hepatitis may provide new solutions and more favorable results.