Gallstones, as the name suggests, are basically small ‘stones’ that develop in an organ in the body known as the gallbladder, which is located in the upper right abdomen, and is associated with secretion and transport of bile, which is important for the absorption of many vitamins.
Gallstones may develop due to various different reasons and may turn potentially dangerous if left untreated. Thankfully, we have an entire plethora of herbs at our disposal, which can be immensely helpful in dealing with gallstones.
Natural Remedy for Gallstones
Apple Cider Vinegar & Peppermint
How The Natural Remedy for Gallstones Works
Gallstones are hard, crystalline deposits that build up in the gallbladder. They can cause severe pain in the back and abdomen, bloating and digestive problems.
This apple cider vinegar and peppermint remedy helps to treat gallstones in the following ways:
Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar helps to regulate cholesterol levels in the body (cholesterol is a key cause of gallstones) and also dissolves gallstones.Peppermint: Peppermint supports healthy digestion and soothes gallbladder pain.How To Prepare The Gallstones RemedyAdd 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and 1 tablespoon of dried peppermint to a cup of hot water and let it steep for 5 minutes.After 5 minutes, strain the water into another cup using a fine mesh strainer and drink it.Drink this remedy up to 4 times per day until the gallstones disappear.
Below we’ve listed down some of the best herbs that you can use to deal with gallstones.
Milk Thistle
Milk thistle is thought to be rich in many biologically active compounds that help dissolve gallstones and also prevent their formation in the future. Several studies have found how taking milk thistle extracts could help decrease the level of cholesterol in bile, thereby preventing the formation of gallstones.
Milk thistle extracts are also thought to support the liver and gallbladder and promote their health.
Peppermint
Peppermint flavoring is actually very popular in sweets, chocolates, and even soaps today, and it turns out, the extracts of this herb could actually be helpful in reducing the size of gallstones and also sometimes eliminating them completely.
The extracts of this herb act as a natural muscle relaxant thanks to its amazing anti-inflammatory properties. Several studies have found that taking peppermint extracts, particularly the leaf can improve the health of gallbladder.
Turmeric
Turmeric extracts are very popular as a home remedy for a wide range of health conditions and disorders, particularly skin conditions thanks to its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antibacterial properties. Extracts of turmeric are thought to be wonderfully effective in expelling gallstones and supporting the function of the liver and the gallbladder.
Some studies have also found that the extracts of turmeric actually possess hepatoprotective properties, which makes it effective against a wide range of bacteria and viruses and even free radicals that damage the liver.
Artichoke
Artichoke extracts are thought to contain valuable chemicals that protect the function of the liver and the gallbladder. When taken along with turmeric, it is thought to be one of the best herbal remedies in dealing with gallstones, and it even works effectively in helping the gallstones contract themselves and gets pushed out of the body. Many herbal medicine practitioners also prescribe this herb to deal with pain associated with the development of gallstones.
Ginger
Ginger is well known for its valuable anti-inflammatory properties, which is why it is often used as a natural treatment for a wide range of digestive disorders. It turns out; the extracts of the ginger roots could also promote shrinking of tumors and gallstones and inhibits the absorption of cholesterol, which thereby prevents the formation of gallstones.
Some studies have also found how it could stimulate the conversion of cholesterol to bile acids and remove toxins and other poisons from the body, which in turn, promote liver and gallbladder health.
Barberry
Barberry is yet another effective herbal remedy that can be used to deal with gallstones and other related disorders, particularly those pertaining to the digestive system. The bark of this herb is believed to relieve the congestion in the liver (which is one of the causes of jaundice) and also normalize its function.
Some studies have found the extracts of barberry to be helpful in dealing with the inflammation of the gallbladder and promoting bile flow and also stimulating the production of white blood cells that fight off harmful substances in the body. Bacterial and viral infections of the gallbladder are best treated using the extracts of this herb.
Rosemary
Rosemary is a popular ingredient in many food preparations and holds valuable medicinal properties as well. The extracts of this herb are believed to help relieve spasms of the gallbladder, which commonly happens when the gallbladder is an infection, and also curb pain associated with gallstones. Rosemary extracts are also thought to stimulate the production of bile and aid fat digestion thereby preventing gallstone formation and aiding the digestion of fat when you consume dishes high in fat.
When taken with wild yam, it is thought to be among the best herbal remedies to deal with gallbladder related conditions.