
By Dr. Surya Bhagwati
Chief In- House Doctor
BAMS, DHA, DHHCM, DHBTC | 30+ Years of Experience
The liver is a vital organ, which means that liver disease can be life threatening. Today, the risk of fatty liver disease has become increasingly widespread in India, with studies estimating that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects between 9 to 32 percent of the population. The risk and prevalence of this disease is significantly higher in obese and diabetic individuals. Since fatty liver disease is a condition in which fats accumulate in the liver beyond normal levels, it is imperative for us to take steps to control symptoms of fatty liver before the onset of fatty liver disease.
Once the amount of fat in the liver accounts for over 5 percent of liver weight, it is classified as fatty liver disease. The reason why all of us should be concerned about fatty liver is because this is a silent disease and symptoms typically develop only in the later stages. Fortunately, the buildup of fat in the liver and liver damage can be easily prevented and reversed if dealt with early and appropriately. Several natural remedies for fatty liver are effective. This requires a combination of diet and lifestyle changes as well as the use of Ayurvedic medicines to support healthy liver function.
Best Natural Home Remedies for Fatty Liver
Natural home remedies for fatty liver are one of the easiest and most effective ways to aid early symptoms of this disease. Fatty liver disease can be tackled by controlling weight, through diet and lifestyle factors, regardless of whether the symptoms are of alcoholic or non alcoholic fatty liver disease.
1. Fight Obesity to Reduce Fatty Liver

Obesity and excess body weight is regarded as one of the biggest risk factors for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This makes it critical for anyone to first lose excess weight as the primary strategy for minimizing the risk of fatty liver or reversing the disease. Keep in mind that Ayurveda does not advocate over exercising, as some amount of body fat is also needed for optimal health. Weight loss should simply aim to restore and maintain healthy body weight. Taking up mild to moderate intensity exercise programs including yoga, walking, and swimming will help to maintain healthy body weight, reducing fat buildup in the liver. Diet is an essential part of weight loss; For a healthy liver diet must include fruits and vegetables and minimal processed and fatty foods. A diet low in fats aids weight loss and helps aid early symptoms of fatty liver. Fatty liver exercises at home include yoga asanas and body weight exercises such as squats, push-ups, lunges and crunches. Diet is equally important to achieve this goal and we’re getting there next.
2. Ayurvedic Diet for Fatty Liver

To have a healthy liver diet is an important factor to consider. As is always the case with Ayurveda, moderation is the key and this also applies to diet recommendations. To prevent or treat fatty liver and promote liver health, it would help to follow general Ayurvedic dietary recommendations, although it would be best to get a personalized diet plan for your dosha balance. Ayurvedic diet plans are regarded as extremely effective for promoting liver health as they are not restrictive, instead emphasizing balanced nutrition with a wide range of foods. The only stress is on eliminating or limiting any intake of processed foods that are loaded with trans fats, sugar, and other additives. Instead, your diet should primarily comprise of natural and fresh foods, including fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds.
3. Get Active

Adopting a regular exercise program is one of the best remedies to prevent or manage fatty liver disease as research shows that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is strongly associated with a sedentary lifestyle. Ideally, you should get 20 to 30 minutes of mild to moderate physical activity each day. Aerobic exercises like walking, cycling, and swimming are great options. To prevent fatty liver exercises at home such as yoga, can be particularly beneficial with poses like the Locust Pose, Frog Pose, Downward Dog, and Garland Pose known to support liver function. In fact, a study that examined the effects of yoga therapy and Ayurved on a liver cirrhosis patient noted improvements in liver, renal, and cardiorespiratory functions.
4. Avoid Toxins

One of the best natural home remedies for fatty liver is to avoid toxins. If you are struggling to make broad changes to diet and lifestyle to fight liver disease, at the very least you should avoid causing further liver damage from toxins. This means quitting smoking and avoiding alcohol and other drugs that are known to increase toxicity levels in the liver. In addition to toxins from tobacco and alcohol, we are also often exposed to toxins from aerosol sprays, cosmetics, and cleaning products. This is why it is best to opt for natural or Ayurvedic cleaning products and cosmetics that are made with herbal ingredients that pose no risk of toxicity.
Ayurvedic Medicines for Home Treatment of Fatty Liver
For problems such as fatty liver ayurvedic medicine can be effective, as they have no known side effects. Ayurvedic medicine for fatty liver includes several ayurvedic herbs that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These herbal remedies aid weight loss
1. Kalmegh as Home Remedy for Fatty Liver

Kalmegh, also known as the ‘king of bitters’ is one of the best herbal ingredients to protect the liver and treat fatty liver problems. You can consume kalmegh in the form of supplements or look for Ayurvedic liver medicines that include it as one of the main ingredients. Kalmegh is extremely effective as a liver protective medicine because of phytochemicals called diterpenic labdanes that are present in the herb. Studies have shown that it they exhibit powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective (liver protecting) properties. Kalmegh is useful for aiding signs and symptoms of fatty liver disease as it helps prevent the damage of liver cells.
2. Guggulu as Natural Remedy for Fatty Liver

Guggulu is one of the most popular and reputed Ayurvedic herbs today. It is widely available as a herbal supplement and is also used as an important ingredient in some of the best Ayurvedic medicines for fatty liver disease. The herb or resin is effective at promoting liver health because of the presence of a phytosteroid called guggulsterone. Research has demonstrated that this phytosteroid reduces free fatty acids in serum and the liver, lowering triglycerides and phospholipids levels. It also enhances the liver’s capacity for metabolizing and excreting cholesterol.
3. Neem for Fatty Liver Home Treatment

Neem is one of the most popular and easily accessible herbs across India, with a long history of use in Ayurved. You can enjoy the health benefits of neem by making your own herbal tea with neem leaves added in. Neem is also a common ingredient in some of the most effective natural medicines for fatty liver disease. The herb is effective at protecting the liver as it has a balancing effect on both pitta and kapha, while also strengthening meda dhatu agni to ensure optimal digestion and metabolism. Evidence from studies has highlighted neem’s hepatoprotective effects, reducing fatty tissue accumulation in the liver and promoting liver function. It should be no surprise that neem is present in a large number of fatty liver ayurvedic medicines.
In addition to the herbs listed above, you will also benefit from adding ingredients like haldi and garlic to your regular diet. Liver disease progresses slowly, making it important for you to take steps to prevent or treat liver problems as soon as possible. Whether using Ayurvedic remedies or medicines for liver function, it is also important to be consistent and disciplined as the benefits of such approaches accumulate over time.
4. Kutki as Home Remedy for Fatty Liver

Botanically classified as Picrorhiza kurroa, kutki is known for its detox, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Kutki is one of the best natural remedies for fatty liver. Although available in powder form, it is best consumed in combination with other hepatoprotective herbs like guggulu and kalmegh, so it makes sense to look for herbal liver supplements that contain the herb. The bitter herb is regarded as an effective natural treatment for fatty liver and other liver disorders, with studies showing that it can even reverse fatty infiltration of the liver and lower hepatic lipid levels.
5. Triphala for Fatty Liver
Triphala is an ayurvedic herb made of amla, haritaki and bibhitaki and has several antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities. Due to these antioxidant properties, tirphala is effective in detoxifying the liver. Further, triphala aids weight loss when trying to reduce the signs and symptoms of fatty liver and effectively treats it. Daily consumption of Triphala for fatty liver can have benefits on overall health as well.
What Causes Fatty Liver?
Now that we know about home remedies for fatty liver, it is necessary to understand what causes this problem and how it can be avoided. When the liver cannot process and break down the fats in the body, the fat builds up and causes fatty liver. Additionally, excessive alcohol consumption, starvation, and rapid weight loss can create a fatty liver.
The following can increase your risk of developing fatty liver disease:
- Obesity
- Hypertension, elevated blood cholesterol, or insulin resistance
- Type 2 diabetes
- Medicines like diltiazem, amiodarone, tamoxifen or steroids
However, individuals who do not have the foregoing factors can also acquire a fatty liver.
There are two forms of fatty liver disease: nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: It is a type of fatty liver disease that is not caused by drinking too much alcohol. Although the specific origin of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is unknown, diabetes and obesity can raise the risk.
Alcoholic fatty liver disease: It is a form of fatty liver disease induced by excessive alcohol use. Heavy drinkers and alcoholics are at risk for developing fatty liver. Home remedies for fatty liver are likely to be ineffective if alcohol consumption is not controlled.
Symptoms of Fatty Liver:
There may be no signs and symptoms of fatty liver. There may be no symptoms of fatty liver. You may only know about a fatty liver after having tests for other illnesses. Fatty liver disease can harm your liver for years without presenting symptoms. However, as the disease progresses, you may experience these symptoms.
- Weight loss
- Fatigue and weakness
- Confusion
- Abdominal discomfort
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References:
- Kalra, Sanjay et al. “Study of prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in type 2 diabetes patients in India (SPRINT).” The Journal of the Association of Physicians of India vol. 61,7 (2013): 448-53. PMID: 24772746
- Fabbrini, Elisa et al. “Obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: biochemical, metabolic, and clinical implications.” Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.) vol. 51,2 (2010): 679-89. doi:10.1002/hep.23280
- Oddy, Wendy H et al. “The Western dietary pattern is prospectively associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in adolescence.” The American journal of gastroenterology vol. 108,5 (2013): 778-85. doi:10.1038/ajg.2013.95
- Romero-Gómez, Manuel et al. “Treatment of NAFLD with diet, physical activity and exercise.” Journal of hepatology vol. 67,4 (2017): 829-846. doi:10.1016/j.jhep.2017.05.016
- Revadi, Shreya S et al. “Effect of yoga and naturopathy on liver, renal and cardiorespiratory functions of a patient with hepatic cirrhosis with portal hypertension and ascites: a case report.” Journal of complementary & integrative medicine vol. 15,4 /j/jcim.2018.15.issue-4/jcim-2017-0098/jcim-2017-0098.xml. 19 Jul. 2018, doi:10.1515/jcim-2017-0098
- Chua, Lee Suan. “Review on liver inflammation and antiinflammatory activity of Andrographis paniculata for hepatoprotection.” Phytotherapy research : PTR vol. 28,11 (2014): 1589-98. doi:10.1002/ptr.5193
- Deng, Ruitang. “Therapeutic effects of guggul and its constituent guggulsterone: cardiovascular benefits.” Cardiovascular drug reviews vol. 25,4 (2007): 375-90. doi:10.1111/j.1527-3466.2007.00023.x
- Shetty, Sapna N et al. “A study of standardized extracts of Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth in experimental nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.” Journal of Ayurved and integrative medicine vol. 1,3 (2010): 203-10. doi:10.4103/0975-9476.72622

Dr. Surya Bhagwati
BAMS (Ayurveda), DHA (Hospital Admin), DHHCM (Health Management), DHBTC (Herbal Beauty and Cosmetology)
Dr. Surya Bhagwati is an established, well-known Ayurvedic expert with over 30 years of experience in treating and consulting in the field of Ayurveda. She is known for the timely, efficient, and patient-centred delivery of quality health care. The patients under her care receive a unique holistic treatment comprising not only medicinal treatment but also spiritual empowerment.