Home Remedies for Jaundice By Dr. Siddharth Gupta

Introduction

Do you know someone who started to appear yellow suddenly? It might be a possibility that they had pale/yellow eyes or nails. The most probable reason for this may be jaundice. 

Jaundice is one of the most common liver disorders. It involves excess bilirubin circulating in the body. Bilirubin is a yellow-orange coloured bile pigment produced when the haemoglobin breaks down from the red blood cells. Jaundice is associated with yellow discolouration of the mucous membrane, skin, nail beds and the whites of the eyes¹. 

Jaundice is quite common in newborns since their liver is not completely developed to eliminate the accumulated bilirubin. It usually goes away with time².

We will discuss more about the symptoms and causes of jaundice, and also share some preventive measures that may be helpful, but it is recommended to consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

What Causes the Jaundice

Jaundice can be caused at three stages. 

They are: before, during and after the production of bilirubin. Problems associated with any of the three phases may cause jaundice.  

 The three stages where jaundice can occur along with their causes are: 

Before the production of bilirubin (unconjugated jaundice):

• Reabsorption of a large hematoma or haemolytic anaemia may cause jaundice. 

During the production of bilirubin:

• Infections due to viruses like Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis A, chronic hepatitis B and C  
• Rare genetic metabolic defects  
• Autoimmune diseases  
• Alcohol  
• Medicines like acetaminophen, oral contraceptives, penicillin, chlorpromazine, estrogenic or anabolic steroids.   

After production of bilirubin:

• Gallbladder cancer  
• Pancreatic tumour  
• Gallstones  
• Inflammation of the gall bladder 

Symptoms of Jaundice

At times when jaundice is present, but without any visible symptoms, severity is predicted by finding the underlying cause of jaundice. 

Various causes of jaundice may have a particular set of symptoms as given below:

Jaundice caused by infections may be accompanied by the following symptoms

• Flu-like symptoms include fever and chills 
• Abdominal pain 
• Yellowish skin⁹
• Dark-colored urine and/or clay-colored stools⁹ 

If infections do not cause jaundice, you may have symptoms like:

• Weight loss 
• Itchy skin 

Jaundice due to liver disease may be accompanied by the following symptoms:

• Inflammation of joints 
• Liver inflammation 
• An early stage of hepatitis A, B and C 
• Certain skin diseases 

Note: Jaundice is not a disease on its own but a clinical sign of an underlying condition affecting the liver, blood, or bile ducts. The symptoms and severity of jaundice depend on its root cause. Proper medical evaluation is essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment¹³.

Home Remedies for Jaundice

Some of the natural remedies for jaundice are as follows:  

1. Natural sunlight for neonatal jaundice 

Natural sunlight may be beneficial for neonatal jaundice. Sunlight includes a wide spectrum, which includes the bilirubin-absorbing range. Natural sunlight may be a replacement for phototherapy for neonatal jaundice³. However, natural sunlight is not a medically standardised or controlled substitute, and excessive exposure may carry risks³.

2. Restriction in diet

During the acute stages of jaundice, porridge without salt and tamarind or cooked rice is recommended in some traditional dietary practices. Oil, ghee and spices shall be avoided in jaundice. Non- vegetarian food should also be avoided. Meals may include vegetables without seasoning or tempering. Though there is limited evidence that restrictive diets cure jaundice. A light, easily digestible diet may support liver function during illness, but dietary changes alone do not treat the underlying cause.

3. Sugarcane juice

Sugarcane juice is commonly consumed in some traditional dietary practices during jaundice. However, there is insufficient scientific evidence to confirm that sugarcane juice keeps bilirubin levels under control and may help in jaundice⁴. Sugarcane juice is good for liver diseases. Sugarcane contains antioxidants and bioactive compounds, but its role in the management of jaundice has not been established⁴. For making sugarcane juice, the sugarcane is washed well, and the outer layer is removed. It is then cut into pieces, and the sugarcane extract and the juice are taken out. Squeeze the extract to remove any remaining juice. 

4. Papaya leaves

Enzymes like papain present in papaya leaves have been traditionally associated with jaundice management⁵. Papaya leaf extracts have been studied mainly for platelet-related and antioxidant properties. However, there is limited supporting evidence for their use in jaundice or liver disease treatment in humans¹⁴. Grind chopped papaya leaves using a mortar and pestle to extract the paste from the leaves. You can add honey to it and consume it.

5. Black cumin

Black cumin, traditionally known as jeera, is used in various culinary and traditional practices. The phytoconstituents present in black cumin have been explored in relation to liver health⁶. Cumin has shown hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects in some animal and laboratory studies, but human clinical evidence for treating jaundice is insufficient and not conclusive¹⁵. Black cumin may be lightly toasted, then grounded and consumed during jaundice

6. Mint

Mint, commonly known as pudina, has been traditionally used in various dietary and folk practices. According to folk medicine, mint tea has been traditionally consumed during jaundice⁷. Although mint is traditionally used for digestive discomfort. While it contains bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity, there is insufficient scientific evidence that supports mint treats jaundice or affects bilirubin metabolism¹⁶. The juice from the mint leaves is mixed with honey and then consumed during jaundice.

7. Babul

Babul has been traditionally used in various medicinal practices and contains phytoconstituents like flavonoids and alkaloids. The whole plant or the flower of babul has been traditionally used in some settings during jaundice⁸. Some experimental studies⁸ suggest the biological activity of compounds in babul, but there is a lack of evidence which supports its benefit in jaundice treatment. Babul powder is mixed with water and consumed during jaundice

8. Amla

Amla is known as Indian gooseberry in English. The fruit, leaf and bark of the amla plantt have been traditionally used for jaundice in some traditional practices⁸. Amla is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants and has shown potential hepatoprotective effects in experimental studies. However, clinical evidence in jaundice patients is limited.

The bilirubin level may return to normal by consuming amla. The consumption of amla juice may cure jaundice. Dice three to four Indian gooseberries into small pieces. Add some water and black salt into a blender and blend till it is smooth. Strain the pulp obtained and extract the juice. Amla juice is ready to be consumed. 

Though studies show the benefits of the given herb and home remedies for jaundice, these are insufficient. Therefore, there is a need for large-scale human studies to establish the true extent of the benefits of these home remedies on human health. Thus, these should only be taken cautiously and never as a substitute for medical treatment. 

Note: Home care alone is not appropriate if jaundice is severe, worsening, or accompanied by symptoms such as high fever, severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, confusion, excessive sleepiness, bleeding, or difficulty breathing. Newborns, pregnant women, older adults, and individuals with known liver disease should seek immediate medical evaluation rather than relying solely on home remedies.

What to Avoid Eating in Jaundice?

In jaundice, the liver is already under stress due to an underlying condition. Certain foods and substances can further burden liver function or worsen symptoms. The following are commonly advised to be avoided or used only under medical supervision:

• Alcohol: Alcohol is toxic to liver cells and can worsen liver inflammation or delay recovery, especially in hepatitis-related jaundice. It should be strictly avoided¹⁰.
• High-fat and oily foods: Fried foods, fast food, and foods high in saturated or trans fats may be harder to tolerate in some patients and may worsen digestive discomfort.
• Self-medication with paracetamol (acetaminophen): Excess or unsupervised use can cause liver toxicity. It should only be taken if specifically advised by a doctor, especially in liver-related conditions¹¹.
• Processed and packaged foods: Foods high in preservatives, artificial additives, and excess salt may be less suitable as part of a balanced diet during recovery and are generally best consumed in moderation¹².
• Refined sugar and sugary beverages: High sugar intake is generally not recommended as part of a balanced diet during recovery from liver illness.
• Red meat and heavy non-vegetarian meals (in acute illness): These may be less well tolerated during acute illness in some patients.

Liver Function Test (LFT) Monitoring Frequency

The frequency of Liver Function Test (LFT) monitoring depends on the cause and severity of jaundice. In acute liver conditions, doctors may recommend repeating LFTs every few days to weeks to assess recovery and track bilirubin and liver enzyme levels. For chronic liver diseases, monitoring may be required at regular intervals as advised by the treating physician. Always follow your doctor’s recommendations regarding the timing and frequency of LFT testing.

Also Read: Everything To Know About the Influenza Vaccine & Its Importance 

When to Seek Medical Help

It is recommended to consult a doctor immediately for proper treatment for jaundice.  

• If you feel unwell while you have jaundice, seek medical help as soon as possible.  
• For new-born babies, you can seek medical help when:  
• If the baby is constantly cries with a high pitch.  
• If the body is arched.  
• If the body becomes stiff, limp or floppy.  
• If the baby has strange eye movements.  
• If the baby refuses to breastfeed. 
• The baby does not urinate enough or pass enough stools. 
• Skin of the baby is yellowish. 

You must not rely on home remedies alone to treat the condition. Instead, you should consult a qualified doctor if the symptoms do not improve. 

Also Read: Best Home Remedies for Uric Acid By Dr. Siddharth Gupta

Conclusion

Jaundice is a liver disease with an increased bilirubin level in the bloodstream. The mouth, skin and sclera turn yellow. It is found to be common among infants. Breastfeeding may be an effective at-home treatment for jaundice in new-borns. A few common symptoms of jaundice may include yellow discolouration and flu-like symptoms.  

Natural sunlight may help cure jaundice in adults and infants both. In addition, dietary modification, consuming sugarcane juice, papaya leaves’ paste, black cumin, amla, babul, and mint tea may be some natural remedies for jaundice.

Also Read: All You Need To Know About Typhoid!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References

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