We know that gallstones are hard deposits which form inside the gallbladder. Gallbladder is a small organ which is located behind the liver on the right side of the abdomen. Gallstones can range in their size from smaller than a grain of sand to larger than a golf ball. There was one study in which is said that 80% of gallstones are made of hardened cholesterol which develops when there is too much cholesterol in the gallbladder [1]. Also there are other causes for gallstone formation such as high levels of bilirubin and the concentration of bile in the gallbladder. Some of the risk factors for gallstones are a high fat diet, a sedentary lifestyle, liver disease, diabetes, obesity, pregnancy and certain forms of anemia.
People who have increased risk of developing gallstones are Native American or Hispanic descent, females and people older than 60 years of age [2]. There are many people who develop gallstones and they never know that they have it. But when the gallstone obstruct the bile duct, then it can cause symptoms like clay – colored stools, chills, indigestion, bloating, nausea or vomiting, back pain and sudden onset of severe pain especially in the right side of the abdomen. This pain is caused by gallstones and it can last for a few minutes to several hours. Gallstones can cause a lot of pain and they must be treated immediately. You need to talk with your doctor for the proper diagnosis and treatment. Also there are some home remedies that you can use as your natural treatment for gallstones. You need to talk with your doctor if you suffer from gallstones before you start using some of the below mentioned home remedies.
Home remedies for gallstones
Dandelion: This is a very useful home remedy for the treatment of gallstones [3]. It has a compound known as taraxacin which can help in bile excretion from the liver. This can also help to detoxify and metabolize the fat which is accumulated in the liver. When your liver starts functioning properly, then it can aid in the functioning of gallbladder. You should place one teaspoon of dried dandelion root in a cup. You should pour water in the cup, cover it and let it steep for 5 minutes. You should strain it and add honey in the mixture for taste. You should drink this tea 2 or 3 times per day for 1 or 2 weeks. Also you can prepare herbal tea by adding 2 teaspoons of marshmallow root and one teaspoon of Oregon grape root to 4 cups of water. You should simmer it for fifteen minutes and then remove it from the heat. You need to add 2 teaspoons of dried leaves of this herb and one teaspoon of dried peppermint leaves and allow it to steep for fifteen minutes. The last step that you should make is to strain it and then drink this tea throughout the day. Also you can eat the tender dandelion greens by adding them to your salad or steaming them. Diabetic people should avoid dandelion.
Psyllium: This home remedy is a good source of soluble fiber and this is a reason why it is considered as a very effective home remedy for gallstones [4]. The fiber in it binds to the cholesterol in bile and it prevents gallstones from forming. Also it can promote normal bowel movements which can reduce the risk of gallbladder system congested. Also this home remedy can prevent constipation which is a condition that is associated with increased gallstone formation. You should add one tablespoon of psyllium to one glass of water. You should mix this home remedy well and drink it 2 times per day. You should repeat this home remedy on daily basis until the gallstones are gone. When you are taking psyllium, you should be sure to drink a lot of water because it absorbs water.
Vegetable juice: If you suffer from gallstones, then it is very important to cut down on fried and fatty foods [5]. You should follow a strict diet based on fruit and vegetable juices in a period of one week or two. A mixed vegetable juice made of carrots, cucumber and beet root is a very effective home remedy for gallstones. Carrots are rich in Vitamin C and other nutrients which are very important for the immune system. Cucumber has high amounts of water which can detoxify the gallbladder and liver. Beet root can help to cleanse the liver and it can strengthen the gallbladder. You should extract the juice from 4 medium – sized carrots, one cucumber and one beet root. You should mix these juices and drink this home remedy. Drink it 2 times per day. You should follow this natural treatment for 2 weeks and you will notice a huge improvement in your condition.
Peppermint: It is known fact that this natural cure can aid digestion by stimulating the flow of bile and other digestive juices. Also it has a component known as terpene which can effectively dissolve gallstones. It is believed that this home remedy can help to relax spasms and relieve gallbladder pain. You should boil one cup of water. Add one teaspoon of dried peppermint leaves in the water. Remove it from the heat. Cover it and steep for 5 minutes. Strain it and then add one teaspoon of honey in it. You should enjoy this home remedy while it is still warm, 2 times per day in a period of 4 – 6 weeks. You should drink this home remedy between your meals because it will give you the best results.
Lemon juice: Lemon juice is a very effective home remedy for keeping gallstone attacks under control. It can stop your liver from making cholesterol which can help in faster recovery. Lemon juice has pectin which can help you to rid of the gallbladder pain attributed to stones. Also it has Vitamin C which is making the cholesterol water soluble and this can promote faster elimination of waste products. You should drink fresh juice squeezed from 4 lemons each day on an empty stomach. You should follow this home remedy with a glass of water. You should continue this natural treatment for a week. Also you can drink 4 tablespoons of lemon juice mixed in one glass of warm water every day on an empty stomach. You should continue this natural treatment for several weeks until the gallstones are eliminated from the body.
Apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar has acidic nature which can stop the liver from making cholesterol that is a reason for the forming the most common type of gallstones. This home remedy is playing an important role in dissolving gallstones and alleviating the pain. You should mix one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in one glass of apple juice. You should drink this home remedy whenever you have a gallstone attack. This home remedy can ease the pain within fifteen minutes. Also there is another option and that is to add 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and one teaspoon of lemon juice to one glass of warm water. You should drink this home remedy on an empty stomach in the morning. When you are doing this natural treatment on regular basis for weeks, then it can dissolve gallstones and it can prevent the pain.
Castor oil: This home remedy has many healing and medicinal properties which can help to minimize and reduce the number of gallstones. It has anti – inflammatory properties which can help to neutralize inflammation and reduce the pain [6]. Also the castor oil packs have a positive effect on the lymphatic and immune systems. You should gently warm one cup of pure and cold – pressed castor oil in a pan. You should soak a piece of cheesecloth in the warm oil. Then, squeeze out the excess oil. You should put the wet washcloth over the right side of the stomach where the gallbladder is located. You should cover the cheesecloth with a plastic sheet. Next, you should put a hot water bag on the plastic sheet for half an hour to one hour. You should follow this home remedy at least 3 times per week until you recover completely.
Milk thistle: This is also a very effective home remedy for gallstones [7]. It has a bitter substance which is known as silymarin and it can stimulate the bile production. When there is increased bile production, then it can decrease its concentration and it can help to flush out gallstones. This home remedy can also aid in liver functioning. You should grind one tablespoon of milk thistle seeds in a coffee grinder or you can crush them in a mortar and pestle. You should put the crushed seeds in 3 cups of water and boil. You should turn off the heat and then let it steep for twenty minutes. Finally, you should strain this tea and then add honey for taste and drink it 2 – 3 times per day in a period of one week.
References:
[1] Harvard Women’s Health Watch. What to do about gallstones. 2011. Retrieved from www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/what-to-do-about-gallstones.
[2] Njeze GE. Gallstones. Nigerian Journal of Surgery. 2013;19(2): 49–55.
[3] Tarlo E. Analytical Rresearch of the dandelion’s origin and science studies of pharmaceutical uses. 2017. Retrieved from www.researchgate.net/publication/328199489_Analytical_Research_of_the_Dandelion’s_Origin_and_Science_Studies_of_Pharmaceutical_Uses
[4] Schwesinger WH, Kurtin WE, Page CP, et al. Soluble dietary fiber protects against cholesterol gallstone formation. American Journal of Surgery. 1999;177(4):307-10.
[5] Jessri M, Rashidkhani B. Dietary patterns and risk of gallbladder disease: A hospital-based case-control study in adult women. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition. 2015;33(1):39–49.
[6] Vieira C, Evangelista S, Cirillo R, et al. Effect of ricinoleic acid in acute and subchronic experimental models of inflammation. Mediators of Inflammation. 2000;9(5):223–8.
[7] Mulrow C, Lawrence V, Jacobs B, et al. Milk thistle: Effects on liver disease and cirrhosis and clinical adverse effects: Summary. AHRQ Evidence Report Summaries: Chapter 21. Retrieved from www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK11896/
