Natural Remedies for Cholestatic Pruritus

on Jul 03, 2023| Modified on Jul 04, 2023

The liver plays a vital role in our overall health, and when affected by conditions such as cholestatic pruritus, it can cause discomfort and disrupt daily life. Individuals often turn to natural remedies and supplements to help manage this condition.

This article will explore these natural solutions for bolstering liver health and alleviating symptoms of cholestatic pruritus.

What is Cholestatic Pruritus?

Cholestatic pruritus is a condition characterized by intense itching (pruritus) that arises from cholestasis, a liver disease where the flow of bile from the liver is slowed or stopped. This disruption can lead to the buildup of bile salts in the skin, causing itchiness.

Natural Remedies for Cholestatic Pruritus

In addition to conventional treatments, several natural remedies and supplements may help manage the symptoms of cholestatic pruritus.

Milk Thistle

Renowned for its liver-supporting properties, milk thistle or Silybum marianum may help manage cholestatic pruritus. The active component, silymarin, is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It can help protect the liver and may alleviate symptoms related to bile flow disruption.

Dandelion

Dandelion, particularly the root, can stimulate bile production, possibly aiding in reducing the bile salt concentration in the skin. It also contains high levels of antioxidants, supporting overall liver health.

Oatmeal

A natural and effective remedy for itchy skin, oatmeal baths may relieve the skin itchiness associated with cholestatic pruritus. Oats contain avenanthramides, compounds with anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties that can help soothe the skin.

Essential Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil, flaxseeds, and walnuts have strong anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce skin inflammation and itching associated with cholestatic pruritus.

Lifestyle Changes

Alongside natural remedies, lifestyle changes can help manage cholestatic pruritus. Keeping the skin moisturized, avoiding scratching, and wearing loose, cool clothing can reduce itching. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate hydration promote overall liver health.

Always consult a healthcare professional before starting new supplements or making major dietary adjustments. This is crucial, especially if you have existing health conditions or are on other medication, as natural supplements can interact with certain drugs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while cholestatic pruritus can be a significant health challenge, nature provides many tools to support our bodies in managing this condition. Collaborating with a healthcare professional to devise a comprehensive and personalized plan for your health is vital.

Continue reading below to learn which natural remedies helped Earth Clinic readers with this condition, and let us know what helped you!

Related Links:

Natural Cures for a Fatty Liver
Natural Remedies for Elevated Liver Enzymes: Top Tips & Supplements
Natural Remedies for Liver Disease and Liver Damage
Two Supplements for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)




Cholestatic Pruritus Remedies

3 User Reviews
5 star (3) 
  100%

Posted by Chamel (Memphis, Tn) on 02/11/2012

Hi, I'm finding some of your tips very helpful. Here's somthing I hope you can help me with. I have a 5 year old with Vitamin Deficiency in her liver. She's been tested for everything since she was 6 months old that's all they can find. She's on Rifampin for itching. I don't think it's working anymore. She and I now are up all night from her scratching. She misses alot of days from school. Her school clothes, sheets, panties and fingernails are bloody from her scratching. She cries in her sleep. This has been going on for the past 3 years. The doctors said there's nothing they can do. PLEASE HELP!!!!

Replied by Mh
(Toronto, On)
02/11/2012
★★★★★

Which vitamin(s) does your daughter have inadequate liver stores of? Orthomolecular experts believe that many serious health conditions are the result of some individuals having unusually high requirements (i.e. , metabolic abnormalities) for specific vitamins or minerals. Depending on the regulations where you live, a naturopathic physican may be able to try IV-administered high doses of the vitamin(s) in question. Try a Google search for your region's naturopathic association and look for someone who mentions orthomolecular medicine as an area of practice.

Replied by Minkxy
(Brooklyn, Ny)
04/03/2012

Hi. I can"t speak for sure about the vitamin Def in her liver. Check Dr. Group's Global Healing Center site. As something that may soothe her skin, I recommend you try a vitamin C shower filter. Maybe she could drink that water also. I have one and recommended it to a friend who has had dandruff and his head would turn bright red, itchy and painful after shower. It became a trip of horror each shower. All dandruff shampoos didn't help. He tried the filter and INSTANTLY pain, itching, redness, dandruff was gone. He has been using it for 2 weeks, with natural olive oil soap to clean, and thinks he is in heaven. And told his 3 brothers across the ocean about it.

This may well soothe her, it costs about $40, maybe $8 shipping. Money well spent and I hope you get it. God Bless

Replied by Minkxy
(Brooklyn, Ny)
04/03/2012

The filter neutralizes chlorine and such. It is great for city dwellers. You can look up Ben Fuchs as he is good on specific nutrition.

Replied by Missg
(Richmond, Pe/canada)
05/05/2012
★★★★★

Hi, my father, has a rare liver disease called primary billary cirrosis. His mother and two sisters also had it. His itching was really bad, similar to your daughters. Also, his mom and sisters seemed to be worse. He takes urisol (that spelling is incorrect). His itching is almost gone. The dr did perscribe an anti itch drug, as reactine did not help and is harmful to the liver. He hasn't had to take the anit itch drug in almost a year. The urisol pushes the bile out of the ducts. I hope this helps. It is agony watching them suffer so much. One of my aunts used to get her husband to tie her hands so she couldn't scratch, once she started scratching she couldn't stop.

Replied by Had
(White River Jct, Vermont)
06/02/2012
★★★★★

Chamel, please see if you can find someone who deals in supplements (vit/min, nat. Remedies, etc), and muscle testing, like applied kinesiology, For myself, this works, I know what I'm taking I really need to take, no guess work. And w/ kids, it adds another level of assurence that you aren't harming them w/ drugs and causing life long injury to their organs. For an at home. Extra virgin coconut oil, applied externally after bath before drying is great, it is anti-viral/bacterial/septic and it is soothing to the skin. I also like to add calendula oil. They have a tonic on site, 2 TBS ACV 1/4 tsp Baking soda and 8 oz water ( you can add honey to sweeten if you want, I add just a little of pure stevia) that is a basic liver tonic, just figure out how many times a day she needs to have it to stop the itch. I would still find a natural med. Person so you can know that all deficiencies are being adressed, and also if this is a case, instead, of what she is exposed to, like flouride, chlorine, chemicals used to clean your house, pesticides, HFCS, etc... We have so much in toxins around us and there are easy things we can do to stop it and detox it.

Replied by Milaine
(Fairport, Ny)
06/14/2012

Hello Chamel, Just a thought, did you think about changing her alimentation. A lot of people are doing allergies because of milk, cow milk (this one on the store). Do you give her that? Just my 2 cents. Hope that everything will turn right.

Replied by Marina
(Brooklyn, Ny)
08/10/2012

Try low histamine diet.


Dietary Changes

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Stefanie (Palm Springs, Ca) on 03/10/2012
★★★★★

I myself went through a horrific battle with pruritus (and jaundice); I finally figured out that it can be controlled with diet; I stopped eating everything except fruits and vegetables and it stopped. But of course I lost 20 lbs, but it was such a relief. I was so skinny I couldn't look at myself; I finally got over my problem, which turned out to be caused by drug I was given (macrobid/nitrofurentoin). Now I am back to normal.



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