From Green Tea to Turmeric: How “Healthy” Herbs Can Hurt Your Liver
From energy boosts and weight loss to clearer skin and better sleep, dietary supplements promise a lot—and Americans are buying in. Nearly 3 in 4 adults in the U.S. take supplements, often trusting that “natural” equals safe. But behind the labels and wellness buzzwords lies a serious health risk: liver damage.
A growing body of research is raising red flags about how certain herbal and dietary supplements—especially those with multiple ingredients—can lead to drug-induced liver injury, sometimes severe enough to require a transplant.
A Sharp Rise in Supplement-Related Liver Failure
A 2022 study in Liver Transplantation revealed that from 1995 to 2020, the number of U.S. patients waitlisted for liver transplants due to supplement-related liver failure increased eightfold. A separate review in Hepatology found that herbal and dietary supplements are responsible for 20% of liver toxicity cases nationwide.
Why is this happening? Experts point to one key factor: more people are taking more supplements than ever before. A 2024 survey by the Council for Responsible Nutrition found that nearly 4 in 5 users prefer supplements over prescription or OTC medications, with multi-ingredient formulas being the most popular—and most problematic. These combinations make it extremely difficult to identify which specific ingredient is causing harm.
Six Common Offenders in the Spotlight
Among the thousands of available supplements, six botanical ingredients are most frequently linked to liver damage, according to the Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network:
Ashwagandha – for stress and mood
Black cohosh – for menopause relief
Garcinia cambogia – for weight loss
Green tea extract – for antioxidants and fat burning
Red yeast rice – for cholesterol control
Turmeric/curcumin – for joint pain and inflammation
These ingredients are found in everything from detox teas to workout boosters and wellness blends—often in high or concentrated doses. Even seemingly familiar items like green tea can become risky when taken in extract form, which is significantly more potent.
Why the Liver Is So Vulnerable
The liver processes everything you ingest—food, drinks, medications, and supplements. It acts as the body’s detox center, breaking down substances before they’re absorbed into your bloodstream. This also makes it the first organ exposed to potential toxins.
“Pretty much anything you ingest has the potential to be toxic to the liver,” says Dr. Don Rockey of the Medical University of South Carolina. Hepatologist Dr. Dina Halegoua-De Marzio adds, “I think people assume these things are safe… I don’t think they realize there is a real risk here.”
When the liver becomes overwhelmed or damaged, symptoms can include:
Fatigue
Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
Abdominal pain or swelling
Dark urine or pale stools
Nausea or loss of appetite
In extreme cases, the damage is irreversible, requiring a transplant—or leading to death.
What You Can Do to Stay Safe
Whether you're 25 or 65, taking supplements for energy, beauty, digestion, or longevity, awareness is your first line of defense.
Here’s how to protect your liver and your health:
Talk to your doctor before starting any supplement—especially if you take other medications or have underlying conditions.
Be wary of multi-ingredient formulas. The more ingredients, the harder it is to know what’s working—or what’s harming you.
Don’t equate natural with harmless. Many plant-derived compounds are powerful enough to cause real harm in the wrong dose or combination.
Look for third-party testing and quality certifications. Not all supplements are created equal—and some may contain hidden contaminants or unlisted ingredients.
Watch for symptoms and seek medical attention if you notice changes in your energy, digestion, or skin tone.
The Bottom Line
Supplements can be part of a healthy lifestyle, but they’re not risk-free. They’re not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. As the popularity of herbal and nutritional products continues to rise, so do the number of liver-related complications.
Stay informed, read labels, and don’t hesitate to ask questions. After all, your liver works hard to protect you, return the favor by protecting it.
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Yvon Lux is the editor of her Apple News channel covering lifestyle news and current events. Her “blogazine” celebrates sisterhood and empowers women by focusing on women’s health, travel, lifestyle, and entrepreneurial news while also sharing the most coveted beauty news and style stories.
Yvon’s lifestyle Magazine stylishly tells stories of trailblazers and tastemakers. Email news tips and stories to designs@yvonlux.com. Connect with her on Instagram and subscribe to her Apple News channel.
