Miple ClinicIs herbal diet medicine okay for the liver and kidneys? What Miple confirmed through years of blood tests
"Is herbal diet medicine okay for my liver?" It is the question we hear most at consultations. To answer it with data rather than words, Miple Korean Medicine Clinic ran liver and kidney blood tests on every first-visit patient for several years.
Why we ran the tests
Herbal diet medicine includes herbs that raise metabolism. Once a medicine enters the body, it is metabolized in the liver and excreted by the kidneys, so it was important to confirm that long-term use puts no strain on either. That is why, before prescribing, we tested liver function (AST, ALT, etc.) and kidney function, and watched how the numbers changed after use.
What years of testing showed
We organized the records from 2022 to 2024 that remained in our blood analyzer and compared values before taking the herbal medicine (first visit) with values re-tested during use. For the liver we looked at AST and ALT, and for the kidneys, creatinine, using the analyzer's normal ranges as they were.
Quite a few people already had high liver levels before starting. About 31% of first-visit patients (1 in 3) had liver levels above the reference range even before taking herbal medicine. This is because the heavier a person is, the more often fatty liver is present too. It is also why we tested before prescribing.
Comparing before and during use, the results were as follows.
| Changes before and during use | Liver levels | Kidney levels |
|---|---|---|
| Stayed within normal range | 52% | 78% |
| Previously high levels came down | 38% | 17% |
For those whose liver levels were high at first, most saw their levels come down; in median terms, AST fell from 55 to 26 and ALT from 62 to 39. In some cases a value briefly went slightly above the reference range during use, but none met the criteria for drug-induced liver injury (ALT at least 5 times the upper limit of normal). Comparing before and during use, the share with normal liver levels (AST) rose from 59% before to 81% during use. This means that in many cases liver levels improved together with weight loss. Some of the cases we confirmed in this process were published as a case report in the Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research (2022). (DOI) Over 15 years and more than 20,000 people with more than 100,000 prescriptions, no serious side effects related to the liver, kidneys, or hormones have been reported.
Test results can differ from person to person, though. So if you have any questions while taking the medicine, please feel free to ask.
How we prescribe now
After confirming safety through testing, we no longer run blood tests on every first-visit patient. Instead:
- Medical history — we check your medical history, the medication you take, and your lifestyle patterns.
- Body composition test — body fat, muscle mass, and swelling determine your starting stage.
- One-on-one consultation with the doctor — the prescription and stage are set to fit your constitution and goals.
- Checking test results when needed — if you have a chronic condition such as liver or kidney disease or diabetes, we review your recent health checkup and blood test results.
What to prepare before your consultation
- The medication you take (a photo of the medicine bag or prescription)
- Recent health checkup and blood test results (if you have them)
- Conditions you are being treated for and the hospital in charge
If you have questions while taking the medicine, please feel free to ask. The doctor checks in person and adjusts the stage if needed.
If you are concerned about your liver levels, also see our fatty liver diet guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do liver levels go up when taking herbal diet medicine?
In a comparison of blood tests before and during herbal medicine use from 2022 to 2024, 52% stayed within the normal range for liver levels, and 38% saw previously high levels come down. No case met the criteria for drug-induced liver injury (ALT at least 5 times the upper limit of normal). If you have a liver condition, we review your recent test results before deciding whether to prescribe.
Do you still run blood tests?
After confirming safety through years of testing, we now prescribe through a medical history, a body composition test, and the doctor's consultation. If you have a chronic condition, or when needed, we review your recent test results.
Miple Korean Medicine Clinic · Korean medicine doctor · 19 years of clinical experience · Author of 'The Secret to Ending Diets with Korean Medicine' · Inventor of the GONG BI JIN YAK patent (No. 10-2865645)
Curious about a prescription that fits your body?
After a body composition test, the head doctor consults with you in person.
This article is general health information and does not replace individual diagnosis or prescription. The effects and side effects of herbal medicine vary from person to person.
