Cirrhosis is a chronic liver disease characterized by liver hardening resulting from conditions such as viral hepatitis, parasitic infections, chronic alcoholism, and malnutrition, which lead to liver cell degeneration, necrosis, and regeneration; the proliferation of fibrous tissue; and disruption of the liver’s normal structure. The diet should consist of foods that are high in protein, calories, and vitamins, and low in fat. Foods should be soft and easy to digest. Patients with significantly impaired liver function should limit their protein intake; those with hypersplenism and a tendency to bleed should consume foods rich in collagen, such as pork skin jelly, tendons, and sea cucumber; those with anemia should increase their intake of iron-rich foods, such as pork liver, red dates, longan flesh, black sesame seeds, and spinach; Patients with ascites should strictly limit their salt intake and may increase their consumption of foods with diuretic effects, such as carp, crucian carp, corn silk, plantain seeds, and winter melon peel; those with constipation may increase their intake of laxative foods such as honey and bananas. Alcohol is strictly prohibited, and coarse, hard, fried, grilled, and spicy foods should be avoided.
The following are clinically used, affordable, effective, and delicious tea, drink, and decoction recipes:
Black Fungus and Red Date Soup，From *Proven Tea, Decoction, and Soup Recipes for Common Ailments*,Nourishes the spleen and boosts qi; cools the blood and stops bleeding. Suitable for the recovery phase of urinary tract infections. those who are robust with internal accumulated heat are not suited to this formula; as a warming-tonic formula, it is … Read more
Cordyceps and Turtle Meat Soup，From *Proven Tea, Decoction, and Soup Recipes for Common Ailments*,Nourishes the kidneys and lungs; replenishes yin and nourishes blood. Suitable for cirrhosis of the liver. the tonifying-warming action may aggravate internal heat; avoid during feverish or inflammatory episodes; the formula is somewhat cloying; avoid overuse in those with spleen deficiency and … Read more
Angelica and Oxtail Soup，From *Proven Tea, Decoction, and Soup Recipes for Common Ailments*,Nourishes the blood, benefits the kidneys, and strengthens tendons and bones. Suitable for cirrhosis of the liver. in the absence of frank deficiency, or where an excess or heat pattern prevails, indiscriminate warming tonic use is inadvisable; as it contains blood-activating herbs, use … Read more
Angelica, Ginger, and Lamb Soup，From *Proven Tea, Decoction, and Soup Recipes for Common Ailments*,Warms and tonifies the spleen and stomach. Suitable for cirrhosis of the liver. with a distinctly warm cast, the formula may aggravate dryness-heat; those prone to oral ulcers or constipation should be cautious; in the absence of frank deficiency, or where an … Read more
Dangshen Rice Tea，From *Proven Tea, Decoction, and Soup Recipes for Common Ailments*,Tonifies the middle and boosts qi. Suitable for liver cirrhosis.
Polygonatum and Dried Tangerine Peel Drink，From *Proven Tea, Decoction, and Soup Recipes for Common Ailments*,Nourishes yin, tonifies the spleen, and moistens the lungs. Suitable for liver cirrhosis.
