Gallstones refer to the hard deposits inside the gallbladder. It can cause pain and discomfort [1].
There are two primary types: cholesterol gallstones and pigment gallstones [2]. About 80 percent of gallstones consists of cholesterol [2].
Pigment stones, meanwhile, contain bilirubin, a fluid manufactured by the liver [2].
The most common sign of gallstones is a pain in the abdomen and the shoulders [3].
To help the body flush out gallstones, here are some useful home remedies that you can try at home. These natural remedies will heal gallstones and relieve the pain.
12 Home Remedies for Gallstones
1. Olive Oil
Olive oil comes from a plant species that belongs to the Oleaceae family [4].
This plant grows in Mediterranean countries and also in Syria, Lebanon and some parts of Iraq [4].
Its use dates back to the biblical times. Traditional healers relied on it as an emollient, laxative and aphrodisiac [4]. It is also part of the popular method for eliminating gallstones. The method is the “gallbladder flush” [4].
In this method, olive oil promotes gallstone passage [4]. The oil lubricates the digestive tract to make it easier for the gallstones to pass through. Case reports show that ingestion of olive oil in combination with lemon juice reduced the number of gallstones. [5]
How to use olive oil for gallstones:
For this remedy, you will need: 3 apples, 2/3 cup of olive oil, and 1/3 cup of lemon juice
Fast the whole day, and eat only apples. Before sleeping, drink a mixture of olive oil and lemon juice. Lie on your right side. The next morning, you will pass some gallstones.
2. Lemon Juice
The Journal of Crystal Growth lists lemon as the top natural remedy for gallbladder stones. [6]
D-limonene is a terpene found in lemon. It is an “excellent solvent” for cholesterol. It helps dissolve gallstones that are made of this substance [7].
A clinical trial proved that intake of d-limonene breaks the gallstones in two hours [8]. Use this remedy if you want to get quick relief from the severe pain caused by this condition.
A more recent experiment was performed on 200 human patients. 97% solution of d-limonene dissolved the stones in the gallbladder of 141 patients. [9]
Complete dissolution took place in 48% of the patients, and partial dissolution in 14.5 percent [9]. vitamin C in lemon juice can help prevent gallstones. Especially, when combined with a low-cholesterol diet [5].
Researchers recommend further studies on its safety. They want to make sure that there are no harmful side effects on the kidney and pancreas [9].
Learn how you may use lemon for gallstones:
For this remedy, you will need 4 lemons and 1 glass of water. Squeeze lemons to extract juice.
Add juice to water. Drink lemon juice on an empty stomach for one week.
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3. Psyllium
Increased intake of dietary fiber has been linked to a lower rate of gallstones [10, 11].
A study performed in the University of Texas reports animal subjects treated with psyllium had fewer gallstones. [12].
Dietary fiber such as psyllium inhibits the formation of gallstones made of cholesterol. It does that by reducing the biliary cholesterol saturation index [12]. Psyllium works by minimizing the amount of cholesterol that forms and stays inside the system.
This remedy can also prevent gallstones, states a 1997 study [13]. Even if you don’t have gallstones yet, you can use this technique to help ensure that it doesn’t happen to you.
Here is a simple method of using psyllium for gallstones:
To prepare this solution, you will need 1 tablespoon of psyllium powder and 1 glass of water.
Add psyllium powder to water. Drink solution twice a day. Repeat until gallstones are flushed out. Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day.
4. Peppermint
With its wide range of medical purposes, peppermint is “more than after-dinner mint” [14].
The active compounds in peppermint including menthol and terpenes show a choleretic effect. It can help in flushing out gallstones [15].
A clinical trial investigated the efficacy of a drug that uses menthol and other terpenes in peppermint as key ingredients [16]. The drug-treated patients who have stones not only in the gallbladder but also in the bile duct [16].
A team of German scientists ran an experiment on 23 patients with cholesterol stones. The patients took menthol & ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) for 17 months [17]. Results show the complete dissolution of gallstones in more than half of the participants. [17]
None of the participants experienced any adverse effects after using menthol [17].
Here’s how you may use peppermint for gallstones:
To prepare peppermint tea remedy, take 1 teaspoon of peppermint leaves and 1 cup of water.
Boil water in a pot. Remove from heat and add peppermint leaves. Let it steep for five to 10 minutes. Drink twice a day for up to six weeks.
5. Vegetable Juice
We’ve always been told to eat our vegetables, and here’s another good reason why.
A study found in the British Medical Journal states that the rate of gallbladder disease was lower in women who maintained a vegetarian diet compared to those who ate meat and vegetables. [18]
Another study reviewed more than 80,000 women. It found out that intake of vegetables reduced the risk of removal of gallbladder. [19]
Similar results was found in a study on hamsters. indicating that protein in vegetables can help prevent the formation of gallstones [20]. This is because of cholesterol-lowering actions of most vegetables.
Plus, vegetables help sweep up fats and other toxic substances in the body so you can drop them.
How to use vegetables for gallstones:
To prepare the vegetable juice, take 1 beetroot, 1 cucumber, and 4 carrots. Extract juice from the vegetables and combine them. Drink the mixture twice daily for two weeks.
6. Indian Gooseberry
An important herbal solution in Ayurvedic medicine is Indian gooseberry. It is an excellent source of health-boosting nutrients. It contains vitamin C, minerals, amino acids and phenolic compounds [21].
It can treat inflammation, diabetes, jaundice, diarrhea and many other ailments [21].
Indian gooseberry has the ability to flush out gallbladder stones, as reported in a 2005 study [6]. This remedy works not only on gallstones made of cholesterol, but also on those made of bilirubin [6].
Indian gooseberry is effective than tulsi and jamun leaf extracts for treating gallstones. [6]
Learn how you may use indian gooseberry for gallstones:
To make the juice, take 1 Indian gooseberry (chopped) and 1 glass of water. Put chopped Indian gooseberry and water in a blender. Strain to remove the pulp. Drink juice twice a day for two weeks.
7. Milk Thistle
Milk thistle can treat problems in the liver and biliary tract. It can also be a good remedy for those suffering from gallstones [22].
Its main component silymarin contains flavonoids. This component protects the liver and kidneys from drug toxicity [22].
In Europe, it has been in use for resolving the issue of gallstones, among other related problems [23]. Most people who use this as remedy do not encounter any side effects. There is mild laxative effect in a few cases [22].
Here is a simple method of using milk thistle for gallstones:
You will need: 1 teaspoon of milk thistle leaves, 1 cup of hot water, and 1 teaspoon of honey to prepare this tea.
Steep milk thistle leaves in hot water for 15 minutes. Strain the leaves and add honey. Drink the tea twice a day for two to three weeks.
8. Orange Juice
Drinking orange juice is an effective way of reducing the risk of kidney stone formation [23].
Did you know that it also works the same for gallstones?
It is also rich in dietary fiber and pectin. Orange juice can very well prevent the formation of stones in the gallbladder [24].
For those who already have gallstones, orange juice can help get rid of them. Like lemons, orange also has d-limonene. It can serve as a dissolving agent for gallbladder stones [25].
Whether you have gallstones or not, adding orange juice to your diet is a smart move. This is especially true for people whose diets contain foods that are high in fat and cholesterol.
Here’s how you may use orange juice for gallstones:
Drink 1 glass of orange juice in the morning on an empty stomach. Do this daily for two to three weeks.
9. Dandelion
Dandelion is used in various cultures for its therapeutic purposes [26].
Folk healers have relied on this flowering plant as a liver and blood tonic, and digestive aid [26]. Some people are not aware that this can aso cure gallbladder stones.
It is one of the key components of an herbal solution. It can reduce stones in the gallbladder and kidneys. [27]
Dandelion contains high amounts of potassium. It can replace lost potassium during the formula’s diuretic action [27]. This herb has saponins.
Saponins can help disinfect the urinary tract and prevent any further infection. [27]
How to use dandelion for gallstones:
To prepare the concoction, you will need: 1 1/2 teaspoons of dried dandelion root and 1 cup of hot water.
Put dandelion root in a cup with hot water and seal with a lid. Steep for 10 minutes. Drink this concoction three times a day for one week.
10. Turmeric
Turmeric has always been popular as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial properties. [28].
Its primary constituent curcumin handles many of its pharmacological activities [28].
There’s also evidence that it can help in the problem of gallstones.
The Alimentary of Pharmacology and Therapeutics revealed curcumin worked better than the placebo. It improves the functioning of the gallbladder. [29]
12 gallbladder patients was in observation after administration of curcumin [29]. The amount of gallbladder volume was lower for those who used curcumin. [29].
Turmeric doesn’t work to dissolve gallstones. But, it’s effective in boosting the health and function of the gallbladder.
Learn how you may use turmeric for gallstones:
Prepare the turmeric solution by boiling 1 cup of water in a pot. Remove from heat. Transfer water to a cup and add 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder. Mix to dissolve powder. Drink solution once a day for two to three weeks.
11. Apple Juice
One of the most popular remedies for gallstones is apple juice.
Many people who have tried using this remedy attest that it’s very effective. Scientists believe that natural chemicals in apple are capable of softening the gallstones. Hence, it will be easier for you to flush them out of your body [30].
Consume only apple juice for a day as a natural approach for treating gallstones [31].
Because there’s not enough scientific evidence to back this remedy. Researchers want to investigate to find out if the use of apple juice is a viable treatment.
Here is a simple method of using apple juice for gallstones:
For this remedy, you will need: 3 glasses of apple juice and 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
Do not eat food during the day. Instead, drink a glass of apple juice three times. In the evening before going to bed, take a tablespoon of olive oil.
Do this technique only once. If it doesn’t work, don’t repeat it.
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12. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is the most popular choice when it comes to alternative remedies. It can cure many health problems related to skin disorders, stomach problems, etc.
Apple cider vinegar is a potent combination of acetic acid and alcohol. The acetic acid in ACV has inhibitory effects on bad cholesterol that is produced in the liver. A regular consumption of apple cider vinegar can dissolve gallstones and reduce pain.
Here’s how you may use apple cider vinegar for gallstones:
For this remedy, you will need: 1 tablespoon of ACV and 1 glass of apple juice.
Add ACV to cool apple juice and mix well. Consume the potent juice whenever you have a gallstone pain attack. The simple treatment will relieve the pain in 10-15 minutes.
Or, you can mix 2 teaspoons of ACV, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice with a glass of mild warm water. Drink the solution every morning on an empty stomach.
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When to See a Doctor
These home remedies can effectively dissolve gallstones. But if you see no improvement even after using these remedies, you should seek for medical attention.
You must consult a doctor if the pain becomes severe and you develop jaundice.
The End Note
Pain caused by gallstones can be debilitating.
You can get relief from this pain by solving the root of the problem. The above discussed home remedies will help you get rid of gallstones in a natural way.
Write to us about your experience of using the natural remedies to get rid of gallstones and its symptoms. Leave your feedback in the comment section.
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