Herbal Medicine? Good or Bad

[Bobby1952]

    On a few occasions I have seen posts on this forum puting down herbal medicine. I know this is a forum for people being treated by mainstream medicine. But there are alternatives out there for people that are not ready to treat yet,whatever the reason. It is true some Herb's can be toxic for you because they are not regulated and some people are not reputable that sell them.    

    But there are reputable companies and Dr's out there that sell and prescribe reputable Herbs. One such company is called "HEPAPRO" it is used by DR Zhang of Zhang's clinic in Manhattan. He is a medical Dr in China and a Dr of alternative medicine and acupuncturist in this country. He is well respected and gives seminars at Hepatitis C conferences. He is also recommended by Dr Andrew Weill.  
    
    The Drug companies don't like this and every chance they get they put down herb's and suppliments. I have heard some people on this forum do the same. I do not think this is right. Even though Alternative medicine will not cure Hep c it can and does help people until they are ready to treat or until something better comes along.

    I know some people that did not attain SVR and have gone the Alternative medicine route because they are not willing to subject themselves to another round of treatment. Even though it seems a high number of people on this forum are willing to do it I don't think that most people out there are willing to and look for something else until a better tx is available.

Bobby

[geterdone]

Bobby Congrats on the coming 24/24 shot and hope all turns out well for you. GrandmaA use to talk quite a bit about Dr Zhang and the herbal remedies for hepc and over all liver wellness. I have stayed from the herbals and vitamins through out treatment except as ordered by the doctor because of not having anything extra in my system that may interfere with the meds being taken, that’s not to say they are bad but just a personal choice during treatment. Now that I’m at the end myself, I may turn to the herbals for liver maintenance as well as trying to repair what has been, let’s say what has been altered during treatment and ones mentioned by hr here on the threads. The problem is where to start?

jasper

[Bobby1952]

    Thankyou for the congrats. The reason I mentioned Dr Zhang is because when I was diag. 7 years ago I wasn't ready to start TX yet. So I read up on alternative meds and found him. His Herbs did not normalize my ALT/AST but it did lower them for 5 years. \

    When I went to him my ALT/AST were 160/120 and some other functions were also were out of wack. After 2 months on his herbs my ALT/AST went down to 110/70 and stayed there as long as I continued on the herbs.  My other blood tests became normal over time. I used his herbs for 5 years untilI I started TX 6 months ago.

    I have started HR's antifibrotics myself and hope for the best. I will wait and see if i reach SVR before deciding on the herbs again.

Best of luck to you
Bobby