Jaundice is a condition which can turn your skin and the whites of your eyes yellow. Whilst the condition is most common in children and newborns it can occur at any age and is generally harmless – although the condition in newborn babies should be monitored. Most of these home remedies for jaundice work both for babies and adults.

Causes

Jaundice occurs when the levels of bilirubin in the blood become too high, if the level is worryingly high in babies, your doctor may recommend they stay in the hospital to be monitored.

It may also be caused by eating too many oily, spicy, sour or alkaline foods as well as increased intakes of alcohol and sesame oil. The condition may also be linked with sleeping during the day, fear, anger and excessive stress.

This can result in an impairment of your blood and muscle tissue of your liver. As a result, bile is thrown into the blood which is what creates the yellowing color of your skin or eyes.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of jaundice include the following:

• Drowsiness
• Weakness and fatigue
• Discoloration of the eyes, skin, and nails
• Increased flatulence and indigestion
• Loss of appetite
• Minor fever
• Burning sensation in the body
• Excessive thirst
• Reduced libido

Home Remedies for Jaundice

1. Frequent Feeds for Babies

Regular feeds will often help combat high bilirubin levels in the blood and therefore work as a great home remedy for jaundice in babies. Feeding your baby often will help flush the bilirubin out of their bloodstream through urine and feces.

If you don’t breastfeed, you should aim to be feeding your baby two ounces of formula each time you feed. This should be enough to help treat their jaundice.

 

2. Bili-Blanket

A bili-blanket is a portable phototherapy device. It makes an inexpensive and effective home remedy for jaundice in newborn babies. It replicates sunlight which helps to reduce the bilirubin levels in their bloodstream.

 

3. Sunlight

Natural sunlight is an even better and cheaper way to treat jaundice than using a bili-blanket – of course for this though you need to rely on the weather. Let your baby lay in the sun with as much skin on show as possible for one or two hours. Make sure they’re sufficiently covered with sun cream though and avoid leaving them outside when the sun is at its hottest at midday.

 

4.  Zizyphus Jujuba Fruit Extract

One milliliter ml of Zizyphus jujuba fruit extract three times a day could really help reduce the levels of bilirubin in your bloodstream. As a result, this will help to treat your jaundice.

5. Carrot & Spinach Juice

Finely chop a few carrots and some spinach and squeeze out their juices. Mix the juices together and drink it, or give a few drops to your baby. This should help to treat jaundice as an effective home remedy.

 

6. Sugarcane Juice

Sugarcane makes a great home remedy for jaundice. The sugar it contains helps your liver to fight jaundice better by preventing it from throwing bile out into your bloodstream. Just a few teaspoons of sugarcane juice should be enough to help treat jaundice in small children and infants. You may want to take a little more for a fully-grown adult.

7. Wheatgrass Juice

A few drops of wheatgrass juice can be added to formula milk to help reduce the bilirubin in your baby’s bloodstream and treat jaundice. Breastfeeding mothers should drink a glass of the juice so that they pass on some of the benefits through their breast milk. You could also drink a glass a day if it’s you that’s suffering from jaundice.

 

8. Tomato Juice

Tomatoes are a rich source of a particular compound called lycopene and are great for improving the quality and purity of your blood. Drinking a glass of tomato juice in the morning could help to improve the health of your liver and reduce your case of jaundice.

Newborn babies shouldn’t be given tomato juice as a home remedy for jaundice but breastfeeding mothers can drink the juice and pass on some of its jaundice relieving benefits through their milk.

9. Rosemary Essential Oil

Rosemary essential oil has powerful detoxifying qualities. This is extremely good for the health of your liver and can significantly improve a case of jaundice. Simply mix twelve drops of rosemary oil and mix it with thirty milliliters of your chosen carrier oil (coconut oil works well). You can then rub this mixture onto your abdomen, just over where your liver sits, and massage gently. Let the mixture soak into your skin so that its benefits can be absorbed. This is a home remedy that works best for adults and isn’t usually recommended to treat jaundice in newborns.

 

10. Lemon Oil

Lemon essential oil is well known for its ability to protect the cells of your liver from accidents and damage. It’s a potent antioxidant which helps to promote liver health and so reduces the risk of and treats jaundice. You can use it in the same way as you would rosemary oil and, like rosemary oil, it isn’t advised for children.

 

11. Goat’s Milk

Goat’s milk is another great home remedy for treating jaundice. An alternative to cow’s milk, goat’s milk is rich in various nutrients your body needs to function properly. It also contains antibodies which help to cure jaundice. Simply consume a glass of goat’s milk each day and your jaundice should start to improve.

 

12. White Grape Juice

Many people believe that green grape juice helps to absorb the bilirubin, curing jaundice and enhancing the function of your liver. All you need to do is drink a glass of white grape juice each day and you should see your condition start to improve. You could also treat infants with this home remedy, using just the juice from two or three grapes.

13. Garlic

Garlic contains a natural compound call allicin which acts as a potent antioxidant. This means that it can help to detoxify your liver and speed up recovery from jaundice. Simple add a few cloves to your meals or chew on a few raw cloves.

 

14. Ginger

Ginger is another great home remedy for jaundice. Simply add some ground or fresh ginger to some boiling water and let it steep for five to ten minutes. You can then strain the liquid and drink whilst it’s still warm. The antioxidant properties of ginger will help to heal your liver, boosting its function and treating your jaundice.

15. Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is a powerful antioxidant which helps to unblock your bile ducts, enhancing the health of your liver and protecting it from future damage. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into a glass of water and drink. You can add some honey if you want. Drink a glass three or four times a day and you should notice your condition start to improve.

 

16. Vitamin D

Newborn babies aren’t generally exposed to the sun so they’re often deficient in vitamin D which can cause jaundice. To increase their vitamin D, you could add drops of vitamin supplement to their formula or, if you’re breastfeeding, you could try eating more vitamin D rich foods like cheese, eggs, and fish. You can also do this or take vitamin D supplements if you yourself are suffering from jaundice.

17. Probiotic Yogurt

Probiotic yogurt is another home remedy for jaundice that works by lowering the bilirubin levels in your blood. Eating a bowl of probiotic yogurt could seriously help improve your jaundice. Breastfeeding mothers can also pass the benefits of probiotic yogurt onto babies who are suffering from jaundice.

 

18. Amla

Amla, or Indian gooseberries, can be made into a pulp and mixed with a cup of water to make a great home remedy for jaundice. Indian gooseberries are rich in vitamin D and antioxidants which both enhance the health of your liver. Consume the amla pulp drink and two or three times a day and you should notice an improvement in your condition.

 

19. Barley Water

Barley had both antioxidant and diuretic properties that help to flush toxins and bilirubin out of the body via your urine. You can add a teaspoon of barley seed powder with a glass of water and a teaspoon of honey and drink.

 

20. Holy Basil (Tulsi)

Holy basil, also known as Tulsi, has been shown to have hepatoprotective properties which benefit the health of your liver and treat jaundice. You can chew on ten or twelve holy basil leaves a few times a day and your condition should pick up. If the taste is too strong you can grind the leaves into a paste and add this to your favorite fruit juice to mask the flavor. Drink this three times a day and your condition should improve.

21. Oregano

Oregano is an herb which carries powerful antioxidant properties which help to maintain and improve the health of your liver which makes it more able to break down bilirubin and combat jaundice. Simply add two teaspoons of oregano to a cup of water and boil in a saucepan and let it simmer for five minutes. You can then let the drink cool to a drinkable temperature. Drinking this herbal tea three times a day and over time you should find your condition improves.

22. Papaya

Papaya leaves contain enzymes that support your digestive health and help to treat liver problems such as jaundice. Simply grind the stalks of a couple of papaya leaves into a paste and then strain the mixture to capture the juices. You can then mix half a tablespoon of the juice with half a tablespoon of honey and consume it. Do this two or three times a day to treat your jaundice.

 

23. Stay Hydrated

Drinking plenty of fluids helps to flush toxins and bilirubin from your bloodstream and helps your liver to function correctly, thus preventing cases of jaundice.

24. Magnesium

One study found that pregnant women who took 250mg of magnesium each day over a six-week period had babies with twenty percent less excess bilirubin in their blood. As a result, the babies of these women were less likely to be born with a case of jaundice. Try taking a daily magnesium supplement or adding more foods which are rich in magnesium into your diet.

 

25. Radish Leaves

Radish leaves can often be used as a home remedy for jaundice. They contain compounds which regulate appetite and bowel movements, helping to flush toxins and excess bilirubin from your body, thus decreasing the risk of jaundice or treating an existing case.

 

26. Buttermilk

Buttermilk contains no fat, which makes it great for your digestion. As such, it makes a great home remedy for jaundice.  

Which of these home remedies for jaundice will you try for yourself or for your baby? Comment below!

References

https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/top-10-home-remedies-for-jaundice-in-newborns/

https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/effective-home-remedies-to-cure-jaundice/#gref

https://www.lybrate.com/topic/home-remedies-for-jaundice

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321746.php

https://www.mamanatural.com/jaundice-in-newborn/

https://www.jiva.com/diseases/jaundice/

https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/diet-for-jaundice

https://www.emedicinehealth.com/newborn_jaundice/article_em.htm

https://doctor.ndtv.com/liver/7-home-remedies-that-will-help-you-get-rid-of-jaundice-1729737