Carduus marianus
The great liver remedy. Portal congestion with pain in right hypochondrium. Jaundice. Gallstones. Varicose veins from hepatic congestion. Nausea and vomiting of bile. Golden-yellow urine. Left lobe of liver especially affected.
Source
Prepared from the seeds of Silybum marianum (Asteraceae).
Available Potencies
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Keynote Symptoms
Liver affections — the primary action. Pain and soreness in right hypochondrium, especially left lobe of liver. Portal congestion with varicose veins, hemorrhoids, nausea. Jaundice. Gallstone colic. Golden-yellow urine. Bitter taste. Tongue white with red edges. Clay-colored stool. Nausea and vomiting of sour, green bile.
Mind & Emotional Symptoms
Despondent, hypochondriacal. Forgetful. Confused. Angry, wants to quarrel.
General Symptoms
Liver and portal system. Worse from motion, touch, jar, pressure, lying on left side, beer, eating. Better from rest, lying on right side, nosebleed.
Physical Symptoms
Head
Dull headache from hepatic derangement. Vertigo with liver complaints. Bilateral headache.
Mouth
Bitter taste. Tongue white, yellow, with red edges and tip. Nausea.
Stomach
Nausea, vomiting of sour green bile. Bitter eructations. Heartburn. Aversion to food, especially meat. Jaundice.
Abdomen
Pain in right hypochondrium — liver region. Soreness, fullness. Left lobe of liver especially. Gallstone colic. Bloating. Portal congestion.
Rectum
Stool — clay-colored, hard, difficult. Alternating diarrhea and constipation. Hemorrhoids from portal congestion. Burning.
Urinary
Urine golden-yellow, turbid. Bilious. Dark.
Extremities
Varicose veins from portal congestion. Hemorrhoids. Heavy legs.
Skin
Jaundice — yellow discoloration. Itching without visible eruption.
Modalities
Better From
Rest, lying on right side, nosebleed
Worse From
Motion, touch, jar, pressure, lying on left side, beer, eating
Constitutional Type
Hepatic types with portal congestion. Those with jaundice, gallstones, varicose veins from liver congestion.
Clinical Indications
Liver disease, jaundice, gallstones, portal congestion, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, hepatitis, cirrhosis (supportive), bilious headache
Comparative Materia Medica
Chelidonium has liver pain but radiating to right scapula. Lycopodium has liver symptoms but with more flatulence and right-sided kidney symptoms. Nux vomica has liver congestion but with more irritability and overindulgence.
Safety Information
Not well established.
Milk thistle (silymarin) is one of the best-studied and safest hepatoprotective herbs. Non-toxic. Widely used as a supplement for liver support. Safe in all potencies and mother tincture.
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