Liver DTX™

TCM herbal formula for liver detoxification, hepatitis (B and C) with or without jaundice, elevated liver enzymes (ALT, AST, SGPT, SGOT), liver cirrhosis, fatty liver, cholecystitis, and alcohol or drug detox — hepatoprotective; antioxidant; antiviral (HBV); clears heat and eliminates toxins; spreads Liver qi; drains dampness; tonifies deficiency; increases liver cell regeneration; lowers elevated liver enzymes; protects liver from alcohol, drugs, and chemical damage

⚠️ Contraindicated during pregnancy and nursing. Use with caution in cases of qi and yang deficiency. Do NOT use for acute liver failure — send to the emergency room immediately. If loose stool occurs, reduce to 2 capsules twice daily. Contains Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) — California Prop 65 warning: "This product contains Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei). Read and follow directions carefully. Do not use if you have or develop diarrhea, loose stools, or abdominal pain because Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) may worsen these conditions and be harmful to your health. Consult your physician if you have frequent diarrhea or if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition." Important: patients should continue taking herbs for a period of time after liver enzyme levels return to normal to prevent a rebound increase. Hepatitis B treatment is less effective in spring and summer — ideal seasons are autumn and winter. To enhance effectiveness: add Yi Guan Jian (Linking Decoction) in autumn and Liu Yi San (Six-to-One Powder) in summer. To reduce risk of cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis: use large dosages of Dan Shen (Radix et Rhizoma Salviae Miltiorrhizae) with regular dosages of Hong Hua (Flos Carthami); add Bie Jia (Carapax Trionycis) to further reduce cirrhosis risk.

CLINICAL APPLICATIONS

* Liver detoxification: enhances normal metabolic and detoxification functions of the liver

* Liver damage with elevated liver enzymes (ALT, AST, SGPT, SGOT)

* Hepatitis with or without jaundice (hepatitis A, B, C — acute and chronic; icteric and non-icteric)

* Liver cirrhosis caused by alcohol, drugs, or other chemicals

* Addiction treatment: detoxifies liver from alcohol, drugs, and other chemicals

* Fatty liver; cholecystitis; gallbladder disorders

* Toxicity from recreational drugs, heavy metals, chemicals, pesticides, or environmental pollutants

* Skin toxicity manifestations: eczema, rashes, unexplainable itching

* Visual disorders associated with Liver qi stagnation or Liver fire

Background: The liver is responsible for many metabolic functions: formation and excretion of bile, carbohydrate homeostasis, lipid synthesis, cholesterol metabolism, and metabolism or detoxification of drugs and foreign substances. Liver disorders are often caused by infections, drugs, toxins, ischemia, and autoimmune diseases — characterized by abnormal laboratory results (elevated ALT and AST) and symptoms (jaundice, right upper quadrant pain). In TCM, liver disorders are characterized by damp-heat or toxic heat in the Liver. Herbs are most effective in the early stages of liver disorder characterized by increased liver enzymes — immediate and aggressive treatment generally lowers liver enzyme levels and reverses the illness. Five main reasons hepatitis B patients remain chronic carriers: (1) irregular immune system (high or low IgG, IgM, IgA); (2) frequent oral infections indicating suppressed immunity — treat with Ye Ju Hua + Gan Cao; (3) seasonal factors — less effective in spring and summer; (4) elevated AST and ALT; (5) dietary restrictions not followed.

Key herb-level clinical data:

— Shui Fei Ji (Fructus Silybi / Milk Thistle / Silybum marianum): hepatoprotective and nephroprotective — protects against Tylenol (acetaminophen)-induced liver and kidney toxicities; mechanism: antiapoptotic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities; silymarin — changes outer liver cell membrane to prevent entrance of toxins into liver cells; clinical study: alcoholic cirrhosis — 41-month double-blind study of 170 patients; clinical study: chronic active hepatitis — improved liver function in 20 patients; use traceable over 2,000 years (Pliny the Elder, A.D. 23–79)

— Wu Wei Zi (Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis / Schisandra / Five-Flavor Berry): marked hepatoprotective effect against drug- and chemical-induced toxicities; mechanism: alters liver cell membrane permeability to prevent entry of toxic substances; increases blood flow to liver; increases regeneration of liver cells; clinical study: significantly lowered SGPT in subjects with elevated levels from carbon tetrachloride injection; clinical study: 3–6g powdered herb in honey 3x daily for 1 month — effectively lowered liver enzymes to normal; clinical study: 85.3% effectiveness in 102 cases of non-icteric infectious hepatitis; clinical study: honey pills — lowered liver enzymes in 67 of 80 patients with chronic hepatitis; clinical study: herbal formula with Wu Wei Zi — 97% effectiveness (33 of 34 patients) in chronic hepatitis

— Yin Chen (Herba Artemisiae Scopariae / Capillaris / Artemisia Scoparia): capillarisin increases secretion of bile, bile salts, and bilirubin; increases regeneration of liver cells; indispensable for treating jaundice and cholecystitis; part of Yin Chen Hao Tang (Artemisia Scoparia Decoction) with Da Huang and Zhi Zi — hepatoprotective against Tylenol, carbon tetrachloride, ANIT, and concanavalin A; inhibits inflammatory cytokines; enhances anti-inflammatory cytokines; useful for severe acute hepatitis with cholestasis and autoimmune hepatitis; clinical studies: acute infectious icteric hepatitis; acute icteric hepatitis; acute viral hepatitis; jaundice; biliary atresia

— Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei / Rhubarb Root): clears heat; eliminates toxins; improves liver function; part of Yin Chen Hao Tang — hepatoprotective; see California Prop 65 warning above

— Zhi Zi (Fructus Gardeniae / Gardenia Fruit): clears heat; eliminates toxins; improves liver function; part of Yin Chen Hao Tang — hepatoprotective; cholagogic

— Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri / Bupleurum / Thorowax Root): hepatoprotective — protects liver against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage; inhibits growth of liver cancer cells; channel-guiding herb to the Liver; protects liver cells from denaturalization and necrosis; decreases liver enzymes in fatty liver and chronic hepatitis

— Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba / White Peony Root): marked antiviral activity against hepatitis B virus (HBV) — inhibits HBV multiplication and decreases level of extracellular HBV; nourishes Liver blood

— Ge Hua (Flos Puerariae / Kudzu Flower / Pueraria Flower): daidzin and daidzein — marked antialcoholic effects; treats liver damage associated with consumption of large amounts of ethanol; relieves alcohol poisoning

— Hu Zhang (Rhizoma et Radix Polygoni Cuspidati / Japanese Knotweed / Polygonum Cuspidatum): contains resveratrol — hepatoprotective; lowers liver enzymes SGOT and SGPT; clinical study: effectively treats chronic hepatitis with positive HBsAg; clears heat; eliminates toxins

— Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae / Scutellaria / Baical Skullcap Root): remarkable hepatoprotective effect — protects against aflatoxin-B₁-induced liver cell mutagenesis; protects against fibrosis and lipid peroxidation from bile duct ligation and carbon tetrachloride; clinical study: 268 patients with infectious or chronic hepatitis — 63.6% effectiveness for infectious hepatitis, 73.3% for chronic hepatitis (oral baicalin 0.5g 3x daily + intramuscular/intravenous injection 60–120mg baicalin for 1 month); clears heat; eliminates toxins

— Pu Tao Zi (Semen Vitis Vinifera / Grape Seed): hepatoprotective; antioxidant

— Yu Jin (Radix Curcumae / Curcuma / Turmeric Root): benefits Gallbladder and Liver in treating viral hepatitis; invigorates blood circulation to promote generation of new liver cells; spreads Liver qi

— Ma Bian Cao (Herba Verbenae / Verbena / Vervain): enters Liver channel; clears heat; detoxifies

— Qing Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae Viride / Green Tangerine Peel): spreads stagnant Liver qi; relieves constraint

— Fu Ling (Poria / Poria Cocos / Hoelen): strengthens Spleen; promotes excretion of toxins through urination; drains dampness

WESTERN THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Hepatoprotective — Shui Fei Ji / silymarin (liver cell membrane protection, toxin entry↓, alcoholic cirrhosis 170 patients, chronic active hepatitis 20 patients); Wu Wei Zi (liver cell membrane permeability↓, blood flow↑, liver cell regeneration↑, SGPT↓); Yin Chen + Da Huang + Zhi Zi (Tylenol, CCl₄, ANIT, concanavalin A; inflammatory cytokines↓; anti-inflammatory cytokines↑; autoimmune hepatitis with cholestasis); Chai Hu (CCl₄-induced liver damage, liver cancer cells↓); Hu Zhang / resveratrol (SGOT↓, SGPT↓, chronic hepatitis HBsAg+); Huang Qin (aflatoxin-B₁ mutagenesis↓, fibrosis↓, lipid peroxidation↓)

* Antiviral (HBV) — Bai Shao (HBV multiplication↓, extracellular HBV↓)

* Antialcoholic — Ge Hua / daidzin + daidzein (ethanol-induced liver damage↓, alcohol poisoning relief)

* Antioxidant — Shui Fei Ji / silymarin; Pu Tao Zi (grape seed)

* Liver enzyme normalization — Wu Wei Zi (SGPT↓; 85.3% in 102 cases; 67/80 chronic hepatitis; 97% in 34 cases); Hu Zhang (SGOT↓, SGPT↓); Huang Qin (63.6% infectious hepatitis, 73.3% chronic hepatitis in 268 patients); Chai Hu (fatty liver, chronic hepatitis)

* Cholagogic / bile stimulation — Yin Chen / capillarisin (bile↑, bile salts↑, bilirubin↑); Zhi Zi

* Liver cell regeneration — Shui Fei Ji; Wu Wei Zi; Yu Jin

CHINESE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Clears heat and eliminates toxins (Yin Chen, Da Huang, Zhi Zi, Huang Qin, Hu Zhang, Ma Bian Cao)

* Spreads Liver qi; relieves constraint (Chai Hu, Qing Pi, Yu Jin)

* Drains dampness; promotes excretion of toxins (Fu Ling, Yin Chen)

* Nourishes Liver blood (Bai Shao)

* Invigorates blood circulation; promotes new liver cell generation (Yu Jin)

* Tonifies deficiency; strengthens Spleen (Fu Ling)

DOSAGE

Standard: 3–4 capsules three times daily on an empty stomach with warm water. If loose stool occurs, reduce to 2 capsules twice daily.

Supplementary formulas: Cholecystitis or gallstones with elevated liver enzymes — add Dissolve (GS). Synergistic hepatic effect — combine with Gentiana Complex. Fatty liver — add Cholisma (ES). Jaundice — add Yin Chen Hao Tang (Artemisia Scoparia Decoction). Early-stage liver cirrhosis — add Resolve (AI) + Circulation (SJ). Nervousness, irritability, stress — add Calm or Calm (ES). Excess fire throughout the body — add Gardenia Complex. Dark complexion and blood stagnation — add Circulation (SJ). To enhance antibacterial function — add Herbal ABX. To enhance antiviral function — add Herbal AVR. To reduce inflammation — add Astringent Complex. Stomach discomfort, heartburn, acid reflux — add GI Care. IBS or bloating — add GI Harmony. Colon detox — add GI DTX. Heavy metal, chemical, or environmental poisoning — add Herbal DTX. Compromised kidney function — use Kidney DTX. Immune support — add Immune+. Energy and awareness — add Vibrant. Qi, blood, yin, and yang deficiency — use Imperial Tonic. Skin toxicity (rashes, itching) — choose from Silerex, Dermatrol (Damp), or Dermatrol (Dry). Visual disorders — add Lycium Support or Nourish.

Nutrition — Liver cirrhosis: Increase vitamin K — green leafy vegetables, almonds, bananas, kelp, prunes, raisins, rice, wheat bran, and seeds. Increase vegetables, especially artichokes, carrots, and beets. Increase water intake. Artichokes contain cynarin — stimulates bile flow and regulates the liver.

Nutrition — Hepatitis: Avoid alcohol, sugar, fat, raw fish, shellfish, and highly-processed foods with chemicals or additives. Eliminate fat, butter, margarine, cheese, fish, fowl, meat, salt, soft drinks, sugar, tea, cod liver oil, vitamin A, and spicy and fried foods. Avoid overeating, cigarette smoking, alcohol, coffee, and drugs. Tao of Nutrition (Dr. Maoshing Ni and Cathy McNease) recommendations: rice, barley, millet, azuki beans, pearl barley, squash, cucumber, grapefruit, dandelion greens, beet greens, pears, water chestnut, carrot, cabbage, spinach, celery, winter melon, rice vinegar, pineapple, and lotus root. Cook lotus root and puree into rice or millet porridge. Juice watermelon, celery, and pears. Make mung bean soup with pearl barley. Soak grapefruit peel in rice vinegar overnight — take 1 teaspoon in 1 cup warm liquid. Take cucumber juice on empty stomach every morning. Avoid dairy, alcohol, coffee, sugar, fatty and fried foods, overly spicy foods, cold and raw foods, tomato, eggplant, bell peppers, and shellfish.

Nutrition — Jaundice: Do NOT consume alcohol, raw or undercooked fish, meat, or poultry.

Liver cleansing (Tao of Nutrition): Drink beet top tea, or combine with dandelion herb and make tea. Juice collard greens with kale, mustard greens, carrots, celery, and cucumber — drink 1–2 glasses daily.

Liver toxicity (Tao of Nutrition): Make vegetable juice from chard, kale, spinach, beet and carrot greens, carrot, apple, and 1 tablespoon spirulina or chlorella — consume 1–2 glasses daily.

Lifestyle: Avoid physical and mental stress and exhaustion — maintain a cheerful and positive outlook; avoid dramatic emotional swings. Avoid exposure to toxins including chemicals, heavy metals, herbicides, pesticides, and environmental pollutants. Physical stimulation to the back by scratching or intense massage will stimulate the liver to increase activity.

CASE STUDIES

— D.T., 56-year-old male: Elevated liver enzymes and high cholesterol; Liver blood and yin deficiencies with blood stasis and Spleen deficiency. Liver DTX 4 caps 3x daily for 1 month, then Cholisma 4 caps 3x daily for 2 months. Result: normal liver enzymes after 1 month; cholesterol within normal range after 2 months; cholesterol levels remained great at 1-year follow-up.

— D.D., 45-year-old female: Chronic eczema and itchy skin; red and heavy eyes; rash mainly on hands and feet; recently lost 50+ lbs; less than 4 hours sleep nightly; damp-heat and Liver disharmony. Dermatrol (PS) 3 pills 3x daily + Liver DTX 3 pills 3x daily. Result: less itching and fewer rashes. Symptoms returned during periods of stress and sleep deprivation — lifestyle compliance required for prolonged results.

— J.K., 35-year-old male: Alcoholism with constant urge to drink; otherwise healthy; had just quit smoking cold turkey. Calm (ES) + Liver DTX + acupuncture. Result: no longer had urge to drink; less reactive. Counseled that this is not a standalone treatment for alcoholism.

— W.G., 23-year-old male: Toxicity from recreational drugs; toxic heat in Liver and throughout entire body. Liver DTX + Herbal DTX. Result: significant detoxification — Liver DTX working more through urine; Herbal DTX working throughout entire body.

— 57-year-old female: Enlarged liver; history of hepatitis and cholecystectomy; shortness of breath, upper body edema, elevated liver enzymes; Spleen qi deficiency with phlegm. Liver DTX + Cholisma (ES) for 5 months. Result: liver returned to normal size without discrete mass; overall condition improved; confirmed by additional testing.

— 41-year-old male: Occasional irritability; elevated liver enzymes; elevated HCT; positive for Hepatitis C; damp-heat in Liver and Gallbladder. Liver DTX. Result: liver enzyme levels within normal limits. Medical doctor encouraged herbal treatment wholeheartedly.

— M.C., 49-year-old male (executive): Elevated SGPT, LDL, and cholesterol; BP 135–148/85–91 mmHg (exam BP 148/94 mmHg, HR 72 bpm); low-grade temporal headaches; pressured feeling in head; neck and shoulder tension; insomnia; fist clenching throughout the day; left shoulder and rhomboid numbness and tension; Liver qi stagnation and Spleen qi deficiency. Cholisma 4 caps 3x daily + Liver DTX 5 caps at night. Result: passed insurance physical; BP stabilized at 120/72 mmHg; stress manageable; no more headaches; excellent energy; cholesterol dropped from 216 to 186 mg/dL.

— 45-year-old female (insulin-dependent diabetes): Malaise, fatigue, night sweats, hot flashes, low back pain, abdominal bloating, red eyes, weak nails, pale complexion; diagnosed with Hepatitis C. Liver DTX 3 caps 3x daily + Equilibrium 3 caps 3x daily + pancreatic homeopathic remedy + Hepan Comp. Result at 2.5 months: discontinued insulin use; viral load almost within normal range; total reversal of clinical picture.

— 68-year-old retired male: Diminishing vision; unable to play tennis competitively; reduced visual field; inability to track objects; Liver qi stagnation and Liver fire with underlying Liver yin deficiency; suspected blood leakage into post-retinal layer. Liver DTX + dietary changes (no alcohol or sugar). Result: visual compromise stabilized; deterioration stopped; reversal of symptoms observed.

— J.J., 45-year-old male: Tiredness, aching joints, occasional jaundice, bleeding gums and nose, thirst, foul and sticky bowel movements, short temper, irritability, disturbed sleep, dry eyes and floaters; red quivering tongue with red tip; wiry pulse bilaterally; BP 125/80 mmHg, HR 72 bpm; Hepatitis C; damp-heat in Liver, Liver blood deficiency, Liver overacting on Spleen. Liver DTX + Huang Bo (Cortex Phellodendri Chinensis) totaling 12g/day + omega-3 fatty acids 1 tablespoon/day + acupuncture. Result at 3 weeks: total liver profile imbalances reduced by over 66%; no bloating or hypochondrial pain; digestion, energy, and well-being greatly improved.

— 44-year-old female (Hepatitis C, liver necrosis, insulin-dependent diabetes): On interferon, Rebetron, Zantac, Prozac, and insulin; liver region pain, fatigue, insomnia, blurred vision, constipation, melancholy, frontal headache, dizziness, tremors, abdominal bloating, pale complexion; maroon tongue; slippery pulse; dampness in Liver and Gallbladder with Liver overacting on Spleen and Stomach. Liver DTX + Imperial Tonic + sarcode liver formula + oral insulin homeopathic + acupuncture. Result at 3 weeks: significant improvements in vitality, complexion, appetite, sleep, attitude, and energy; dramatic reduction in abdominal pain; insulin use reduced by approximately 25%.

— 22-year-old female: High triglycerides and high ALT; thin and pale; cold limbs; easily agitated; BP 115/70 mmHg, HR 72 bpm; yang deficiency with heat in the Liver. Liver DTX 3 caps 3x daily + Cholisma 2 caps 2x daily + acupuncture. Result at 6 weeks: liver enzymes and triglycerides returned to normal.

— M.C., 49-year-old male: Elevated SGPT (72; normal 0–40); history of "Fatty Bone Marrow" at age 8; BP 120/72 mmHg, HR 62 bpm; Spleen qi deficiency and Liver qi stagnation. Liver DTX 5 caps at bedtime for 3 months. Result: SGOT reduced to 21; SGPT reduced to 32.

— 36-year-old female: Severe hangover from excessive alcohol — nausea, vomiting, anorexia, frontal headache, diarrhea, extreme weakness and fatigue; pale flabby tongue with moist greasy coating; pale puffy face with dark sunken eyes; damp-heat in Liver and Gallbladder with qi deficiency / acute alcohol intoxication. Liver DTX 4 caps every 4–6 hours for 1 day. Result within 2 hours of first dose: 98% improvement; strength and appetite regained; headache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea all diminished. Took second dose, ate a large meal, and fully recovered.

— M.F., 57-year-old female: Leg and big toe pain with pressure; metallic taste; absence of thirst; heat sensations except in hands and feet; upper body sweating; exposed to toxic chemicals and pesticides for 6 months; yin deficiency with heat, damp-heat and toxic heat accumulation, bi zheng of the legs. Liver DTX + Balance (Heat) + Flex (NP) for 6 weeks. Result: less leg pain; decreased sweating; subsiding heat sensations; warmer hands. Metallic taste persisted. Patient increased carrot juice and cucumber intake.

Related Reading

Also see: Dissolve (GS) – for cholecystitis and gallstones | Gentiana Complex – for synergistic hepatic and damp-heat treatment | Cholisma (ES) – for fatty liver | Resolve (AI) – for early-stage liver cirrhosis | Circulation (SJ) – for blood stagnation and liver cirrhosis | Herbal ABX – to enhance antibacterial function | Herbal AVR – to enhance antiviral function | Herbal DTX – for heavy metal and chemical poisoning | Kidney DTX – for compromised kidney function | Gardenia Complex – for excess fire | Imperial Tonic – for underlying qi, blood, yin, and yang deficiency | Lycium Support – for visual disorders | Liver, Kidney & Detox Support Collection.