Gall bladder disorders - Nature Cures®

The gallbladder organ is a small pear-shaped muscular sack that acts as a storage tank for bile. The bile is made in the liver and is sent through tiny ducts or canals to the duodenum (small intestine) and to the gallbladder. The gallbladder stores the bile to have it available in larger quantities for secretion when a meal is eaten.

The ingestion of food and especially fats cause the release of a hormone, cholecystokinin, which in turn signals the relaxation of the valve at the end of the common bile duct which lets the bile enter the small intestine. It also signals the contraction of the gallbladder which squirts the concentrated liquid bile into the small intestine where it helps with the emulsification or breakdown of fats in the meal.

Gallbladder attacks can be both very painful and frightening but there are many natural medicinal foods that can manage gallbladder disease to help prevent both surgery and the discomfort of gallbladder colic and to eliminate the gallstones listed below.

Symptoms of gall bladder disorders

Bitter fluid comes up after eating (acid reflux).
Bloating.
Dizziness.
Moderate to severe pain under the right side of the rib cage.
Flatulence, burping or belching
Diarrhoea (or alternating from soft to watery).
Constipation.
Stools light or chalky coloured.
Fatty stools.
Feeling of fullness or food not digesting.
Headache over eyes, especially the right.
Indigestion and heartburn after eating, especially fatty or greasy foods.
Queasiness, nausea and vomiting.
Severe upper abdominal pain (biliary colic).

Pain between shoulder blades or may radiate through the back or to the right shoulder and may be worse with deep inhalation. Pain will often but not always, follow a meal with fats or grease. Attacks of pain are often at night or occur after overeating. They can last from 15 minutes to 15 hours.

Symptoms of a gallbladder attack are often caused by gallbladder stones. A stone may block the neck of the gallbladder or become lodged in a bile duct inhibiting the flow of bile or possibly causing a backing up of bile. However, short of causing an actual attack, stones may be present for years and never cause any symptoms at all.

Biliary pain can occur in about a third of the gallstone patients (which leaves two thirds not experiencing any pain) and sometimes the gallstone symptoms are difficult to differentiate from that of dyspepsia (indigestion). The gallstones can impair the functioning of the gallbladder, however, which can result in any of the common gallbladder symptoms.

Gall bladder symptoms can look and feel the same with or without stones. Therefore, all of the symptoms listed on this page can also be the same for gallstones.

Possible causes of gall bladder disorders

Alcohol abuse
Anaemia
Antidepressants (which slow down gallbladder contractions)
Cholesterol lowering drugs
Crohn’s disease
Chronic heartburn
Constipation
Diabetes
Ethnicity (Pima Indians and Mexicans are more prone to gall bladder disorders)
Family history of gallbladder disease (heredity)
Females, especially those who have had children, are more prone to developing gall bladder disorders.
Food sensitivities or allergies
Hypothyroidism
Inflammatory bowel disease,
High triglycerides, high LDL cholesterol, decreased HDL cholesterol
Immunosuppressive drugs
Insulin resistance
Low stomach acid
Obesity and being overweight
Thyroid disease
Ulcerative colitis

Possible lifestyle causes of gall bladder disorders

Atkin’s diet
Diet high in refined foods and sugar
Diet high in saturated fats
Diet low in fibre and lack of vegetables
Frequent use of antacids
Frequent use of laxatives
Lack of exercise
Low and non-fat diets
Non-fat diets
Oestrogen intake and birth control pills (oestrogen increases the concentration of cholesterol in the bile)
Over age 40 and increase in risk as one ages
Rapid weight loss
Very low-calorie diets

What to avoid with gall bladder disorders

Alcohol
Bamboo shoots
Brassicas such as broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower.
Butter and margarine
Cheese
Chia seeds
Chocolate
Coffee
Excessive fats and oils
Milk
Peaches
Prunes
Nitrates
Tobacco smoking

NOTE: Nitrates are used to artificially give processed meats like bacon and sausage products a deep red colour. They have been proven to cause cancer of the pancreas so all processed meats should be avoided.

See below for natural remedies to heal an inflamed gall bladder

Gallstones

Gallstones are derived from the bile and consist mainly of calcium, cholesterol, or bilirubin and can be smaller than a grain of sand or larger than a golf ball. As gallstones travel through the bile duct, they may block the duct that transports bile from the liver to the small intestine. When this occurs, the gallbladder can become backed up and pain results from built up pressure or inflammation. The build-up of bile or passage of gallstones along the bile duct can also result in liver or pancreas inflammation.

High cholesterol and a high fat diet can cause gallstones to form as can a low daily intake of fibre. Maintaining a normal body weight prevents gallstones forming. Losing weight too rapidly often causes gallstones to form. Cholesterol levels can be lowered naturally with a diet of plenty of fibre, fruit, vegetables, herbs and spices and gentle daily stretching exercises. Cutting out stressful situations can also lower cholesterol.

Conditions that can increase the risk of developing gallstones

A liquid diet.
Anaemia
A sedentary lifestyle.
Diabetes
Liver disease
Obesity
Pregnancy
Sudden and extreme weight loss.
Taking hormones, such as birth control pills or oestrogen.

People who are overweight and lose and gain weight repeatedly are more susceptible to gallstones, as are women who have had two or more children. Lack of exercise is a significant contributor to the development of gallstones. Inactivity can account for more than half of the risk of developing gallstones.

Women are twice as likely as men to develop gallstones, although the reasons are unclear and people older than 60 years of age have a greater risk of gallstones.

Natural remedies for gallstones

Beetroot is a powerful healer of the gallbladder and liver.

Celery is an excellent healer of the gallbladder and provides insoluble fibre that helps to remove toxins from the digestive system.

Chancapuedra is an Amazonian herb that can safely dissolve stones in the bladder, gall bladder and the kidneys.

Citrus fruits can help to dissolve gallstones. Try adding lemon juice to herbal teas, fish and vegetables. Add the juice of half a freshly squeezed lemon and a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to a glass of warm water and drink first thing after waking can help to dissolve stones.

Caprylic acid in natural whole foods can help to dissolve gallstones.

Natural sources of caprylic acid

Coconut oil (organic cold-pressed)
Cow’s milk
Goat’s milk
Pomegranate seed oil
Palm oil

Ginger is useful to help heal the gallbladder.

Insoluble fibre can prevent gall stones from occurring.

Natural sources of insoluble fibre

Brown rice
Carrots
Celery
Coconut
Courgettes
Cucumbers (with skin)
Dark leafy vegetables
Grapes
Green beans
Fruit and root vegetables skins
Millet
Nuts
Onions
Raisins
Rye
Seeds
Tomatoes
Wheat bran
Whole grains

Phyllanthus amarus herb is very effective in naturally breaking up gall stones.

Psyllium husks are one of the most effective herbs to protect and resolve digestive tract and excretory system disorders Take one tablespoon per day with a full glass of water afterwards to resolve gall bladder issues.

Turmeric has been used for centuries to heal gallbladder disorders. Add one teaspoon per day to meals such as eggs, fish, rice, salads and vegetables (especially cauliflower) or to a gallbladder flush listed below.

NOTE: To gain some relief from gall stone pain, a bowl of ice-cold jelly, which has been placed in the freezer for 20-30 minutes, can provide some relief by cooling the inflammation from the inside.

What to avoid when suffering from gallstones

Consuming the plants from the brassica (cruciferous) family can cause gas and bloating that will put pressure on the gall bladder and cause pain when there are stones present. These include Brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower and turnip greens. This is because they contain a complex sugar called raffinose and sulphur which reacts with the bacteria in the stomach.

Animal fats and red meats can delay stomach emptying and ferment in the guts causing pain and inflammation.

NOTE: Sugar should be avoided.

Gall stone flush

1. For the first five days, take four glasses of apple juice every day or eat four or five apples, whichever is desired. Apple juice softens the gallstones. During the five days, eat normally.

2. On the sixth day fast but drink plenty of water and apple juice.

3. At 6 pm take a teaspoon of Epsom salts (magnesium sulphate) with a glass of warm water.

4. At 8 pm repeat the same. Magnesium sulphate opens the gallbladder ducts.

5. At 10 pm take half cup olive oil (or sesame oil) with half cup fresh lemon juice. Mix it well and drink. The oil lubricates the stones to ease their passage.

The next morning, there may be green stones in the stools which usually float.

NOTE: If there is severe pain it is important to see a health practitioner immediately.

Natural remedies to resolve all gallbladder disorders

These ingredients together taken in a glass of warm water first thing in the morning, before eating or drinking anything else, will detoxify and clean the liver and gall bladder.

Lemon or lime juice (half freshly squeezed)
Apple cider vinegar (one tablespoon)
Honey (one to two teaspoons)
Turmeric powder (quarter or a teaspoon)
Cinnamon powder, (pinch)
Chilli pepper powder (pinch)
Rosemary (ground pinch)

Gall bladder flushes

In the event of gallbladder discomfort, it is a good idea to cut down on food consumption for a couple of days The remedies below also help to cleanse the gall bladder, liver and pancreas and should be taken first in the morning unless otherwise stated.

Nature Cures Remedy 1

1 x apple (juiced fresh), 1 x beetroot (juiced fresh), olive oil or rapeseed oil (one tablespoons) and 1 x lemon (juiced)

Nature Cures Remedy 2

Lemon (half juiced), olive oil or rapeseed oil (dessertspoon), garlic powder (1/8 teaspoon) once a day.

Later in the day, consume the juice of the other half of the lemon.

Nature Cures Remedy 3

Ground black seed (250g), pure honey (1 tablespoon) and black seed oil (1/2 teaspoon) mixed thoroughly with half a cup of hot water. This should be taken in the morning on an empty stomach.

Nature Cures Remedy 4

Turmeric (1/2 teaspoon) daily can dissolve as many as 80% of gallstones. Turmeric has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and improves the solubility of bile, making bile and its compounds, including those that form gallstones, easier to dissolve.

Nature Cures Remedy 5

Oregon grape enhances blood flow to the liver and increases bile production and helps to decrease gallbladder inflammation. This blend is even more effective when mixed with herbs listed below.

Burdock root
Chamomile
Dandelion
Marshmallow root
Milk thistle
Slippery elm

Nature Cures Remedy 6

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg simmered in a glass of goat’s milk and drunk before bed every day. Honey can be added if desired.

Nature Cures remedy 7

8 glasses of water
1 tablespoon of ground ginger root
1 whole organic cucumber sliced.
On whole organic lemon sliced
12 leaves of mint

Method

Place all ingredients in a large glass jug and stir well.
Place in the refrigerator overnight.
Consume throughout the next day.
Do this for one week.

Nature Cures Remedy 8

Milk thistle (trim the sharp edges off young milk thistle leaves) and mix them with dandelion greens and steam like spinach or eat them raw. These herbs can also be taken as tea or tincture. Milk thistle contains silymarin, a flavonoid believed to cure gallstones. Silymarin helps the gallbladder with the production of bile, which helps breaks down the components in the gallbladder than can lead to gallstones. Substances in milk thistle can also aid liver function, which is directly related to gallbladder function.

Dandelion greens contain taraxacin that also stimulates bile production. And the greater volume of bile is more likely to flush out a stone. The seeds of milk thistle and the root of dandelion contain higher levels of these beneficial nutrients.

Nature cures remedy 9

Raw juice therapy can successfully treat gallbladder disorders. The best organic natural foods to juice using a minimum 900-watt slow juicer are:

Artichoke
Beetroot
Carrot
Cranberry
Cucumber
Ginger
Grapes
Lemon
Papaya
Pear
Pomegranate
Spinach
Tomato

NOTE: Always drink juices immediately after making them. Other natural remedies from this page can also be added to your juice and stirred well before drinking.

NOTE: There are more herbal and natural food remedies to cleanse the liver, gall bladder and pancreas here: Liver disorders

Related subjects