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Alternative medicine
By Mayo Clinic staffNo complementary or alternative medicine treatments have proved helpful in preventing or treating hepatitis B infection.
One herb that continues to attract attention for its touted liver-health properties is milk thistle. Proponents of milk thistle recommend the herb to treat jaundice and other liver disorders. People take milk thistle as a capsule, extract or infusion.
Small studies of milk thistle treatment for liver disease have had mixed results. Many of the studies have been poorly designed, making it difficult for researchers to draw conclusions about the usefulness of milk thistle.
If you're interested in trying milk thistle, discuss the benefits and risks with your doctor.
- FAQs for the public. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/B/bFAQ.htm. Accessed July 24, 2009.
- Hepatitis B. American Liver Foundation. http://www.liverfoundation.org/education/info/hepatitisb/. Accessed July 24, 2009.
- What I need to know about hepatitis B. National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hepb_ez/index.htm. Accessed July 24, 2009.
- Mast EE, et al. A comprehensive immunization strategy to eliminate transmission of hepatitis B virus in the United States: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) part II: Immunization of adults. MMWR Recommendations and Reports. 2006;55:1. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5516a1.htm. Accessed July 24, 2009.
- Understanding hepatitis. American Gastroenterological Association. http://www.gastro.org/frame-templates/print_template.cfm. Accessed July 24, 2009.
- Viral hepatitis screening. American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. http://www.aasld.org/yourliver/Pages/ViralHepatitisScreening.aspx. Accessed July 24, 2009.
- Lok ASF, et al. AASLD practice guidelines: Chronic hepatitis B. Hepatology. 2007;45:507.
- Milk thistle. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/milkthistle/ataglance.htm. Accessed Aug. 4, 2009.
- Mast EE, et al. A comprehensive immunization strategy to eliminate transmission of hepatitis B virus infection in the United States: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) part 1: Immunization of infants, children and adolescents. MMWR Recommendations and Reports. 2005;54:1. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5416a1.htm. Accessed July 24, 2009.
- Perrillo R, et al. Hepatitis B and D. In: Feldman M, et al. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/155081399-2/0/1389/0.html. Accessed Aug. 19, 2009.
