General characteristics

Gallstones are hard 'stones' that form from the yellowish green substance called bile that is made in the liver and stored in the gallbladder. Stones can range in size from grains of sand to a chickens egg.

Gallstones form in response to changes in the composition of bile and from the obstruction in the free flow of bile from both the liver and the gallbladder. They are composed of either mainly cholesterol or bile pigments. Gallstones can irritate the inner linings of the gallbladder and ducts, obstruct the ducts and cause a blockage leading to inflammation, pain and fever or can cause the gallbladder or ducts to become enlarged and lose their functionality. Complications include severe infection of the liver and/or pancreas.

Other symptoms of gallstones include intense pain in the upper right side of the abdomen, pain in the upper back and shoulder blades, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, flatulence, fever, sweating, skin yellowing, constipation, thirst and clayish looking stools. Gallstones may be present for many years before symptoms appear.

Causes of gallstone formation include rapid weight loss, yo yo dieting and weight loss/gain, skipping meals, poor diet rich in processed foods, obesity, being female increases the risk, gallbladder disease, certain medications, oestrogens, anaemia, liver disease, infection with liver flukes, intestinal disorders such as crohns disease, paralysis and total parenteral nutrition (intravenous feeding bypassing digestive processes).

Natural healing and herbs aim to dissolve and disperse the stones and identify and rectify the cause of the individuals gallstone formation.

Useful herbs

During a painful attack, simmer a tablespoon of whole flaxseeds in 2 cups of water. strain and sip the drink over several minutes. Do this up to 3 times daily.

Make a tea from the following dried herbs; dandelion root, black walnut husk, horsetail, fringe tree, artichoke leaf, marshmallow root, (to soothe the passage of any stones) barberry root, balm of gilead buds and couch grass. Use equal parts and add 3 heaped teaspoons to half a litre of water and simmer for 10 minutes or so. Strain and drink the liquid in 3 doses, evenly spaced throughout the day. This mix will help to dissolve stones and improve liver and gallbladder functions and secretions if taken over several months. Decrease the dose if diarrhoea develops.

A simple tea of dandelion root, a teaspoon of the dried root simmered for 10 minutes in a mugful of water, taken after each meal may prove effective.

Take powdered milk thistle seed 3 times a day.

Holy thistle dried herb can also be used.

Parsley root, horsetail, knotgrass, cleavers, agrimony, couch grass, fenugreek seeds and fresh lemon juice all have a reputation for dissolving gallstones. A peruvian herb, Chanca piedra (Phyllanthus niruri) has an excellent reputation for completely resolving gallstones within weeks.

If pain is very severe take a teaspoon of wild yam, crampbark and chamomile tinctures, in equal parts, in a small glass of warm water to relieve the spasms of the gallbladder and ducts.