6 Evidence-Backed Herbs for Liver Health

What the Research Says About Herbs and the Liver

Before looking at individual herbs, it helps to understand where the overall evidence stands and why caution matters.

Promising, but Not Yet Proven

A 2024 Hepatology Forum review examined lab, animal, and clinical studies of herbs for liver disease. The authors found that herbs may benefit the liver by reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and scarring. However, only a limited number of herbs have adequate clinical studies, and most trials lasted 8 to 12 weeks, which the authors consider too short for chronic liver conditions.

The review is clear that lifestyle changes remain the primary approach for preventing and treating liver disease. For alcohol-related liver disease, the most important step is stopping drinking.

Natural Doesn’t Mean Safe

Our Cancer Stories, a research project from the National University of Singapore, puts it simply: natural does not necessarily mean safe. Unregulated products may contain contaminants like heavy metals, pesticide residues, or other toxins.

The 2024 Hepatology Forum review reports that herbal supplements are mostly safe but can occasionally cause liver injury, including acute liver failure. It notes that toxicity is linked more often to mislabeling, contamination, or added ingredients than to the plant itself, and that most toxicity cases involve multi-ingredient products.

The 6 Herbs at a Glance

Here’s a quick comparison of the six herbs covered below, based on clinical studies reported by the 2024 Hepatology Forum review and other sources.

The 6 Herbs: Reviewed

Each herb below has at least some human research behind it, though the strength of that evidence varies widely. Here’s what to know about each one.

1. Milk Thistle

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is the best-studied herb for liver health. Its active ingredient, silymarin, is a mix of plant compounds extracted from the seeds.

What the research shows: According to the 2024 Hepatology Forum review, a meta-analysis of 8 trials with 587 people with fatty liver disease found that silymarin lowered liver enzymes (ALT and AST) more than control treatments over 8 to 24 weeks. Other highlights include:

• Cirrhosis: In a trial of 170 people with cirrhosis, 4-year survival was 58% with silymarin versus 39% with placebo. People with alcohol-related cirrhosis responded best.
• Fatty liver with inflammation: In a 48-week trial of 99 people, silymarin improved liver scarring scores.
• Medication-related liver injury: Silymarin reduced the risk of liver injury from tuberculosis medicines by 28%.

Doses studied: Many trials used 140 mg of silymarin three times a day (420 mg daily).

Keep in mind: Silymarin is poorly absorbed on its own, which may be why benefits generally appear at higher doses. Our Cancer Stories notes that more research is needed before milk thistle can be recommended for liver cancer.

ALSO READ: How Does Milk Thistle Support Liver Health?

2. Turmeric (Curcumin)

Turmeric’s active compound, curcumin, is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

What the research shows: The 2024 Hepatology Forum review reports a meta-analysis of 9 trials in people with fatty liver disease. Over 2 to 3 months, curcumin reduced:

• Waist size
• Liver enzymes (ALT and AST)
• LDL and total cholesterol
• Fasting blood sugar and insulin levels

In one 8-week trial of 80 people, liver fat improved in 78.9% of those taking curcumin, compared with 27.5% on placebo.

Doses studied: Trials used 50 to 1,500 mg of curcumin per day. Patient First notes that studies on turmeric as a drink have used 1 to 3 grams of dried turmeric root in hot water daily, for up to three months.

Important caution: Curcumin is poorly absorbed, so many supplements add black pepper extract (piperine) to boost absorption. The 2024 Hepatology Forum review warns that liver injury cases have generally involved these high-absorption, high-dose formulas. In 23 reported cases, most people were also taking at least one other drug. Turmeric may also interact with blood thinners.

ALSO READ: Understanding Turmeric's Role in Liver Health

3. Ginger

Ginger is a common kitchen spice that has been studied for fatty liver disease in several clinical trials.

What the research shows: According to the 2024 Hepatology Forum review, two 12-week trials in people with fatty liver disease found that ginger supplements reduced:

• Liver enzymes
• Insulin resistance
• Markers of inflammation

One of the trials also found a reduction in liver fat. MedicineNet notes that ginger needs to be taken for at least three weeks before these effects appear.

Doses studied: The trials used 1,000 mg twice daily and 500 mg three times daily. Patient First recommends keeping ginger under 4 grams per day.

Keep in mind: Both trials were small, with 44 and 46 participants.

4. Artichoke Leaf

Artichoke leaf extract is a concentrated form of compounds found in artichoke leaves, including cynarin.

What the research shows: There aren’t many human studies, but GoodRx reports that reviews of existing trials found artichoke supplements significantly reduced liver enzymes. The effect was strongest in people with excess weight and fatty liver disease.

Doses studied: Human studies have used 100 to 2,700 mg per day.

Caution: Avoid it if you’re allergic to artichokes. No serious side effects have been seen in human studies.

5. Green Tea

Green tea is rich in antioxidants called catechins, especially EGCG.

What the research shows: The 2024 Hepatology Forum review describes two trials in people with fatty liver disease:

• High-catechin tea: Drinking green tea with more than 1 gram of catechins daily for 12 weeks improved liver fat and inflammation. One dose (1,080 mg of catechins) reduced the liver enzyme ALT by about 42%.
• Green tea extract: In a 90-day trial of 80 people, a 500 mg extract tablet lowered liver enzymes.

Important caution: Green tea is generally safe as a drink, but the 2024 Hepatology Forum review notes that liver damage has been linked to products containing high doses of green tea extract, especially multi-ingredient weight-loss products. It advises against taking green tea extract on an empty stomach, for long periods, or at high doses. Our Cancer Stories adds that long-term use of high-dose extracts may damage the liver in some people.

6. Korean Red Ginseng

Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng) is a staple of traditional Chinese medicine, valued for improving energy and supporting the immune system.

What the research shows: In one 3-week trial of 80 people with fatty liver disease, the 2024 Hepatology Forum review reports that adding Korean red ginseng to milk thistle reduced liver enzymes, inflammation markers, and a fibrosis score more than milk thistle alone.

Doses studied: The trial used 1,000 mg three times daily, alongside 450 mg of milk thistle.

Important caution: Our Cancer Stories warns that ginseng may interact with medications and could potentially cause liver injury. Talk to your doctor before trying it, especially if you take any medication.

†These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Other Herbs With Early Research

Several other herbs and plant compounds have shown benefits in small clinical trials. Here are a few highlighted in the 2024 Hepatology Forum review:

Licorice deserves extra caution. MedicineNet notes that its active compound, glycyrrhizin, can alter blood sodium and potassium levels.

How to Choose an Herbal Liver Supplement Safely

If you decide to try an herbal supplement, a few simple checks can help you choose a safer product.

Safety Checklist

• Talk to your doctor first, especially if you have a liver condition, take medication, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
• Buy from reputable brands that test for contaminants, as Our Cancer Stories recommends.
• Stick to studied doses. Higher isn’t better, and very high doses are linked to more side effects.
• Be careful with high-absorption and high-dose formulas, especially turmeric with black pepper extract and concentrated green tea extract.
• Check the full ingredient list. Avoid products that don’t clearly disclose every ingredient and its amount.
• Don’t replace medical treatment with herbs.

Pair Herbs With Healthy Habits

No herb can make up for an unhealthy lifestyle. The habits that matter most are:

• Eating a balanced diet
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Staying active
• Limiting or avoiding alcohol

WOWMD® Liver Support

If you’re looking for a daily botanical formula to use alongside healthy habits, WOWMD Liver Support combines milk thistle and artichoke extract with dandelion root and beetroot. It’s designed to support normal liver function and digestive wellness,* and it’s rated 4.9 out of 5 from 1,143 verified reviews.

• Serving: 2 veggie capsules once daily, 20 to 30 minutes before a meal
• Formula: Gluten-free, non-GMO, and vegan
• Quality: Made in the USA in a GMP facility, with third-party lab-tested ingredients
• Guarantee: 60-day money-back guarantee on eligible first-time, single-bottle, one-time purchases

Important: WOWMD Liver Support isn’t intended to heal, repair, or detoxify the liver, or to treat liver disease. Check with your doctor before using it if you:

• Are pregnant or nursing
• Have a liver, kidney, gallbladder, or bile duct condition
• Have a blood pressure or blood sugar condition
• Are allergic to plants in the daisy family
• Take medication

†These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

The Bottom Line on Herbs for Liver Health

Herbs show real promise for liver health, but the evidence is still developing. Here’s what to remember:

• Milk thistle has the most research, with benefits seen in fatty liver disease and cirrhosis.
• Turmeric, ginger, artichoke, and green tea have encouraging results from small, short trials.
• Safety matters. High-dose green tea extract and high-absorption turmeric have been linked to liver injury.
• Lifestyle comes first. Herbs work best as a complement to a healthy diet, regular activity, and limited alcohol.

If you’d like a daily formula featuring milk thistle and artichoke, WOWMD Liver Support is a good place to start. Talk to your doctor first.

†These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.