Fatty Liver: Causes, Symptoms & Ayurvedic Treatment for Natural Healing

What is Fatty Liver?

Fatty liver, or hepatic steatosis, occurs when excess fat builds up in liver cells. If untreated, it can lead to inflammation, liver scarring (fibrosis), or even cirrhosis.

There are two main types:

• NAFLD (Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease): Not related to alcohol, mostly due to poor lifestyle.

• AFLD (Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease): Caused by excessive alcohol consumption.

Common Causes of Fatty Liver

• High-fat or processed food intake

• Sedentary lifestyle

• Obesity and diabetes

• Excess alcohol consumption

• Certain medications

• Stress and irregular sleep patterns

Symptoms to Watch For

Fatty liver is often silent in early stages but may present with:

• Fatigue or weakness

• Mild pain or heaviness in the upper right abdomen

• Poor digestion

• Unexplained weight gain

• Dark pigmentation around the neck (a sign of insulin resistance)

Ayurvedic Perspective

In Ayurveda, fatty liver is associated with “Yakrit Roga”, mainly caused by an imbalance of Kapha and Pitta doshas. Excess Kapha leads to fat accumulation, while aggravated Pitta affects the liver’s metabolic functions.

The treatment focuses on:

• Detoxification (Shodhana)

• Balancing digestion (Agni)

• Herbal support to rejuvenate liver tissue

Effective Ayurvedic Herbs for Fatty Liver

1. Bhumyamalaki (Phyllanthus niruri)

• Protects liver cells

• Aids in liver detox

• Reduces inflammation

2. Kutki (Picrorhiza kurroa)

• Powerful liver stimulant

• Helps regenerate liver cells

3. Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata)

• Detoxifies liver

• Reduces Ama (toxins) from the body

4. Triphala

• Regulates digestion

• Supports gentle detox and metabolism

5. Guggulu

• Helps reduce cholesterol and fat accumulation

Panchakarma Therapies for Liver Detox

Ayurveda recommends Panchakarma for deep detoxification and balancing of doshas:

• Virechana (Purgation therapy): Cleanses the liver and intestines

• Basti (Medicated enema): Balances Vata and removes deep-seated toxins

• Abhyanga (Oil massage): Improves lymphatic drainage and metabolism

Diet & Lifestyle Tips in Ayurveda

• Eat light, warm, and easily digestible food

• Avoid fried, oily, processed, and sugar-rich foods

• Include turmeric, ginger, and black pepper in meals

• Practice yoga, brisk walking, or light exercise daily

• Sleep early and wake up before sunrise

• Avoid alcohol completely

Final Thoughts

Fatty liver can be reversed naturally with the right lifestyle changes and Ayurvedic treatment. Rather than suppressing symptoms, Ayurveda heals the root cause — detoxifying the liver, balancing digestion, and supporting fat metabolism.

If you’re experiencing any symptoms or have been diagnosed with fatty liver, consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner. With personalized herbs, therapies, and diet, Ayurveda can help you restore liver health naturally and safely.