Fatty liver disease is becoming increasingly common and current medications have side effects like dangerously low blood sugar. This review shows that natural plant-based compounds and traditional Chinese herbs can activate a key protein (AMPK) in the body that helps burn fat and regulate sugar levels. Over 30 different plant compounds from foods and herbs like ginger, curcumin, and ganoderma mushrooms have been shown to improve fatty liver disease by activating this protein through multiple beneficial mechanisms.