In a culture that increasingly values well-being and natural solutions, it is common to associate herbal-based products, teas, and supplements with something inherently safe and beneficial. The phrase “if it’s natural, it doesn’t harm” echoes like a mantra, encouraging the indiscriminate consumption of capsules and extracts that promise everything from rapid weight loss to improved sleep and energy. However, this perception can be a dangerous trap.

What many do not know is that behind these attractive packages and promises of a healthier life, there is a silent and serious risk: hepatitis caused by supplements and teas. Technically known as Herbal and Supplement-Induced Liver Injury (HILI), this condition is a form of drug-induced hepatitis that has been alarmingly increasing, leading healthy individuals to acute liver failure and, in extreme cases, the need for a liver transplant.

The liver, our great internal laboratory, is responsible for metabolizing practically everything we ingest. When overloaded with toxic substances, even those of plant origin, it can become inflamed and suffer severe damage. The problem is that the concentration of active ingredients in industrialized supplements and teas can be hundreds of times greater than that found in nature, turning a supposed benefit into a poison for the body.

This article aims not to demonize plants or natural treatments, but rather to raise a fundamental alert for future health professionals and the general public. It is necessary to demystify the idea that natural is free of risks and promote a more conscious and responsible approach to health. Understanding the dangers of drug-induced hepatitis is the first step to protecting oneself and others.

Throughout this guide, we will explore what toxic hepatitis is, which substances are most dangerous, the symptoms that deserve attention, and crucially, how emotional aspects such as stress and anxiety can lead us to risky behaviors. As professionals aiming for integral well-being, understanding this connection is essential for a more effective and ethical practice.

The Myth of ‘Natural’: Unveiling Drug-Induced Hepatitis

Drug-induced hepatitis, also known as Drug-Induced Liver Injury (DILI), is a condition that manifests when substances, primarily medications and herbal products, cause damage to the liver. Within this context, we find the HILI variant (Herbal-Induced Liver Injury), which specifically refers to liver injuries caused by natural ingredients. The popular belief that everything “natural” is safe is not only misleading but can also put liver health at risk.

The liver plays a crucial role as the body’s metabolic center, responsible for processing, metabolizing, and eliminating toxins. Being a highly active organ in this process, it is especially susceptible to damage from toxic substances, including those of plant origin. Hepatotoxicity occurs when these harmful substances affect liver function, potentially causing a series of unexpected and potentially severe reactions.

An alarming characteristic of hepatotoxicity is that its occurrence does not solely depend on the dose of the substance but can be idiosyncratic. This means that different individuals may react in various ways to the same compound, making the predictability of adverse effects a challenge. This unpredictability extends to many herbal products and supplements, which are often not properly regulated.

It is essential for health professionals to be aware of the main signs and symptoms of liver problems. The most common alerts include:

• Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin and eyes.
• Dark Urine: Dark-colored urine.
• Extreme Fatigue: Abnormal and persistent tiredness.
• Nausea and Vomiting: Abdominal discomfort and loss of appetite.
• Abdominal Pain in the Upper Right Side: Discomfort localized in the liver region.

Understanding the risks associated with natural and herbal products is essential to preserve liver health and ensure safe and effective treatment.

Substances in Focus: High-Risk Teas and Supplements

The so-called ‘natural’ products that promise health benefits, such as teas and supplements, can hide significant risks, especially when processed in high concentrations. The danger often does not lie in the plant in its original form but in the concentrated amount of active compounds present in extracts and capsules. This overexposure to the liver can result in hepatotoxicity, leading to cases of hepatitis that are often overlooked.

Some products are more commonly associated with these risks. Here are some of the most common:

• Green Tea (Camellia sinensis): Used for weight loss and energy boost, the extract in high concentrations can cause liver damage due to its high catechin content.
• Kava Kava (Piper methysticum): Popular for its relaxing properties, this supplement has been linked to severe liver injuries, with cases of induced hepatitis.
• Comfrey (Symphytum officinale): Used in healing ointments, it contains alkylbenzenes, which are hepatotoxic and can cause serious liver damage when ingested.
• Valerian: Commonly used as a natural sedative, excessive use can overload the liver, leading to hepatic complications.
• St. John’s Wort: Used to treat depression, it can interact with other medications and negatively impact liver health.
• Garcinia cambogia: Popular for weight loss, certain extracts have been linked to cases of liver injury.
• Muscle Gain Supplements: Often contaminated with undeclared anabolic steroids, these products can cause significant hepatotoxicity.

It is crucial to seek professional guidance when considering the use of any supplement or herbal product. Liver health deserves proper attention and care, away from easy promises.

The Psychology Behind the Risk and the Search for Magic Solutions

The indiscriminate use of teas and supplements for hepatitis reveals a phenomenon that goes beyond the simple search for health. Often, this behavior is shaped by psychological and emotional factors, such as chronic stress and anxiety regarding body image and overall health. These feelings can drive individuals to seek quick and magical solutions, such as capsules or natural extracts, without considering the potential risks involved.

Automatic thoughts and behaviors come into play in this scenario. The decision to take a supplement can become a conditioned response to a feeling of anxiety. For example, when feeling anxious about their weight or health, many people may turn to a “natural” product in the hope that their situation will improve instantly. This cycle is often reinforced by the temporary feeling of relief, without a critical analysis of side effects, such as hepatitis.

Decision-making theories, such as Kahneman’s ‘fast and slow’, elucidate how our brain can opt for paths of least resistance. The fast and intuitive system often leads to the choice of the miracle remedy, rather than allowing the slow and analytical system to consider healthier alternatives, such as lifestyle changes and seeking professional guidance.

Moreover, the aggressive marketing of these products exploits this emotional vulnerability, promising results that alleviate immediate psychological pain. It is crucial for health professionals, especially hypnotherapists, to understand these behavioral drivers and look beyond the symptoms. This way, it will be possible to support these individuals in building a more robust mental and physical health.

Scientific Hypnosis: Addressing the Emotional Root of the Problem

Scientific hypnosis is a valuable tool in the search to understand and treat emotional issues that can lead to risky behaviors, such as reckless use of supplements and teas for health. It is important to clarify that hypnosis does not directly treat hepatitis or other medical conditions; its role is to facilitate access to a deeper understanding of the emotions and thoughts that drive these decisions. According to the principle of the Brazilian Society of Hypnosis (SBH), where “everything that stress and anxiety can worsen, scientific hypnosis can help”, hypnosis promotes a state of focused attention, allowing the person to become more receptive to new interpretations and reactions.

In a therapeutic and ethical context, hypnosis, when combined with evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), can help identify and modify dysfunctional automatic thoughts. For example, instead of reacting to anxiety about body image with the purchase of a risky supplement, hypnosis can teach the person to manage that anxiety using relaxation techniques and adopting a healthier and more realistic view of their body and well-being.

Through this process, hypnosis empowers the individual to make more conscious choices, aligned with their true well-being, reducing dependence on external and immediate solutions that may result in health risks. By strengthening the capacity for reflection, hypnosis helps to reframe the relationship with self-care, promoting the health of the liver and the body as a whole. Thus, scientific hypnosis not only supports but enhances the journey towards integral and conscious health.

Conclusion

At the end of this journey of knowledge, one truth becomes crystal clear: the safety promised by the label ‘natural’ is often a dangerous illusion. Hepatitis caused by supplements and teas is not a myth, but a real and growing threat, fueled by misinformation and the relentless search for shortcuts to well-being. Understanding that the liver can be severely damaged by seemingly harmless substances is the first step towards a more responsible and evidence-based culture of care, not based on promises.

We have seen that behind the impulsive consumption of these products, powerful emotional triggers often hide. Stress, anxiety, and dissatisfaction with one’s own image are fuels that drive the search for magical solutions, a behavior that the supplement industry marketing knows how to exploit very well. For professionals who truly wish to help people, it is imperative to look beyond the surface and understand the complex web of thoughts and emotions that dictate our health choices.

It is at this point that scientific hypnosis reveals itself as an invaluable tool. Far from being a cure for the liver, it is a way to address the root of the problem: the mind. By assisting in the management of stress and anxiety and restructuring negative automatic thoughts, scientific hypnosis empowers the individual to make more conscious and healthy decisions. It strengthens self-control and promotes a health that comes from within, reducing vulnerability to empty promises.

Therefore, awareness of the risks of supplements and the appreciation of therapeutic approaches that address emotional health are two sides of the same coin. As future hypnosis professionals, your role will be fundamental in building a healthier society, not only treating the consequences but helping people transform the mental patterns that put them at risk.

Are you interested in learning scientific hypnosis to apply professionally? To enhance your results in your current profession or even to have a new profession? Discover the training and postgraduate courses in evidence-based hypnosis from the Brazilian Society of Hypnosis through the link: https://www.hipnose.com.br/cursos/

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main risks of hepatitis from teas and supplements?

The main risks are severe liver damage, which can lead to acute liver failure. Hepatitis from supplements is known as Herbal-Induced Liver Injury (HILI). Natural products, when in high concentrations, can cause hepatotoxicity, resulting in serious complications. This is what makes the irresponsible use of teas and supplements a considerable danger, especially when products are not properly regulated.

How can I identify symptoms of hepatitis related to teas?

The symptoms of hepatitis can include jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), dark urine, extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain in the upper right side. It is crucial to be attentive to these signs, as they may indicate liver damage and require immediate medical attention. Early recognition is vital for effective treatment and liver protection.

Why is the belief that ‘natural’ is always safe misleading?

The belief that natural products are safe ignores the fact that the concentration of active compounds can be much higher in supplements than in plants in their original form. This can result in hepatotoxicity. Therefore, assuming that everything natural is harmless is a dangerous mistake for health, leading to serious complications such as drug-induced hepatitis.

Which teas and supplements are most frequently associated with hepatotoxicity?

Teas and supplements such as Green Tea, Kava Kava, Comfrey, Valerian, and St. John’s Wort have been frequently associated with hepatotoxicity. Consumption of these products should be cautious and always under the guidance of a health professional. Overexposure to these concentrated compounds can overload the liver and pose health risks.

How can hypnosis help in preventing risky behaviors?

Scientific hypnosis can help understand and manage emotions such as stress and anxiety, which often lead to reckless use of teas and supplements. By modifying dysfunctional thought patterns, hypnosis promotes more conscious and healthy decision-making. This empowers individuals to choose safer alternatives, reducing vulnerability to quick solutions that may harm health.