Liverwort

Liverwort

• What Is It and How Does It Work in the Body?

  • Liverwort is also known as agrimony and works in the body through a hepatoprotective and antioxidant mechanism. In terms of hepatoprotection, it is shown in animal data to increase levels of a TLR4 receptor and protein expression to induce nitric oxide synthase and COX2. As a result, it is likely able to suppress oxidative stress. In a clinical trial performed in Korea, 80 adults with elevated ALT levels were given liverwort extract. Compared to placebo, those adults had a reduction in their ALT levels. In a clinical trial with 19 volunteers where liverwort was added to hot tea, there was significant elevation of plasma total antioxidant capacity.

• What Is It Used for and at What Dosage?

  • In terms of use, it is used for flavoring and a soothing tea for performers and speakers. Although it has been clinically investigated in small groups, there is no indication yet for liverwort. Dosing of liverwort is about 200 mL of boiled water with 1 g of dried liverwort. This should be consumed twice a day for about 1 month.

• Evidence for or Against Its Different Uses (Broken Down by Evidence for Each Use):

  • In terms of uses, liverwort can be used for analgesia, infection, antioxidant, cancer, cardioprotective, diabetes, and hepatoprotection. In animal models, liverwort extract was seen to improve analgesia as effectively as gabapentin. In the use of fighting infection, in animal models, liverwort extract was able to show antibacterial activity against E. coli as well as antiviral activity as it interfered with viral entry into the cell. For the use of antioxidant and cancer use, there is some clinical data to suggest that liverwort can increase the antioxidant level in the body. In terms of cardiac protection, in animal models, it has been seen that liverwort can prolong clotting time. In terms of diabetes, liverwort was studied in animal models showed significant improvement in insulin levels and insulin resistance after 16 weeks. Lastly, in terms of hepatoprotection, liverwort was seen to reduce ALT levels.

• Safety Concerns, Side Effects, and Precautions:

  • There have been reports that liverwort can produce photodermatitis.

• Interactions with Medications:

  • Interactions are not well documented yet in the literature.