Submitted by: Phil Rasmussen
Client: Male, 46 years old
Initial presentation: Requested herbal support to help with lower energy levels, stress, and concerns with the health of his liver, after recent liver function tests showed an elevated GGT (101U/L, vs normal 5-40). Had been drinking quite heavily, including every day after work.
He had ceased drinking a few days after receiving these results and consulted his GP. He was also sleeping lightly, often waking very early in the morning, and finding it difficult to go back to sleep. He’d begun taking melatonin most nights but hadn’t noticed much improvement.
While his diet had generally been good throughout his life, and his previous partner was an excellent cook, he had become increasingly reliant on takeaways, and the psoriasis of his scalp had again been troublesome, for the first time in years.
He reported having frequent feelings of anxiety, and some bouts of feeling down, including a period of depression in the months following the relationship breakup.
Fitness and exercise were important to him, and he tried to get to the gym 2-3 times a week, usually before work. He also played social football most weekends.
He had decided to ‘detox’, and had just completed a supervised four day fast, during which he drunk water only. He was feeling much better, both physically and mentally, and was resolved to look after himself better, and keep off the alcohol for the foreseeable future. However, he was about to return to work, and wanted herbal support to help him with both stress and to continue to support his body’s own liver detoxification processes. He also accepted an offer to provide separate herbal medication for sleep.
Herbal formula: (300mL)
Withania (Withania somnifera) 1:1 std 33
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) 3:2 std 25
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) 1:2 15
Kawakawa (Macropiper excelsum) 1:2 12
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) whole plant, 1:2 10
Peppermint (Mentha piperita), 1:2 5
Valerian 1:2 (200mL)
Dosage:
5-15mL at night if needed, with water or juice. Shake well before dispensing.
Additional recommendations:
We discussed his diet, and while he seemed on track with a better eating programme because of his recent fast and the resources provided through this, I reiterated the benefits of avoiding processed foods, lollies, and energy drinks, and having plenty of fruit and vegetables.
He was open also to drinking herbal teas, and I advised him to try making a rosemary infusion from the bush in his garden, and drinking this daily, as both a good liver tonifying herb, and one with numerous other benefits on his mental health and desire to continue detoxing.
Follow up:
3-weeks later: While it had been hard at times, he had succeeded in not drinking apart from one evening, and his overall mood and energy levels had remained good. The psoriasis had also improved markedly. His diet was still not great at times, but he was trying to cook more and eat additional fruit and veges.
He had tried the rosemary tea, and enjoyed it, but found it difficult to make regularly, and I dispensed a 200gram bag of dried leaf, for him to make tea from daily.
He had started a probiotic supplement and seemed well on track with his detoxification process, but ongoing stress management was now more of a concern.
Herbal formula: (300mL)
Withania (Withania somnifera) 1:1 std 38
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) 3:2 std 25
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) 1:2 10
Kawakawa (Macropiper excelsum) 1:2 12
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) whole plant, 1:2 10
Peppermint (Mentha piperita), 1:2 5
8mL bd
He continued to take this mix for the next 18 months, as well as regular lots of Valerian, which continued to work well at a 15mL dose, for the insomnia. He also managed to keep his alcohol intake under control, and his Liver Function Tests were normal at 6 weeks after his first visit.