Natural Treatment for Gallstones
Using Natural Herbs to Eliminate Gallstones and Their Symptoms
Feb 18, 2009
Surgery to remove gallstones is not just expensive-- it's also extremely painful and can cause serious complications. Unfortunately, the mainstream medical system tends to use "sledge-hammer" solutions for "thumb-tack" problems-- especially when patients are fully insured. One way to avoid dangerous treatments for gallstones is to use natural medicinal herbs to eliminate this painful condition.
These herbs can help to eliminate gallstones without the need for surgery or other radical treatments. As always, talk to your doctor when pursuing any route of alternative treatment for gallstones or any other condition.
Natural Gallstone Treatment with Artichoke
Caffeoylquinic acid, found in artichoke leaves, has been shown by multiple studies to increase the production of bile, which will in turn help to dissolve the fat and cholesterol deposits that lead to gallstones. Cyanarin, another herbal compound found in artichoke leaves, is a derivative of caffeolyquinic acid and triggers bile production so well that it out-performs conventional gallstone treatments in some European nations.
When buying any herbal remedy, it is always a good idea to check the label to see the potency of active compounds in a natural medicine. Artichoke extract used to treat gallstones should have a minimum concentration of 8% caffeolyquinic acid to provide effective natural treatment.
Natural Gallstone Treatment with Milk Thistle
Milk thistle is probably one of the most effective, well-known, proven herbal treatments for problems relating to the gall bladder, pancreas, and liver. Not only does milk thistle inhibit the excessive production of cholesterol, which is a chemical building-block of average gallstones, but it also helps to maintain healthy bile production, thereby compensating for blockages caused by gallstones.
Studies have indicated that milk thistle is highly effective when taken daily and at moderately high doses, but ineffective when it is used only occasionally. If, with your doctor's recommendation, you choose to pursue natural treatment using milk thistle, be sure to take your supplements every day to maintain milk thistle's efficacy.
Natural Gallstone Treatment with Turmeric
Turmeric has been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine to treat a variety of ailments, especially those involving the bile ducts, liver, and gallbladder. Curcumin, the principle chemical found in turmeric, is the active compound that gives the herb its bright-yellow color and part of its distinctive flavor. Numerous animal and human studies have yielded encouraging results regarding curcumin's powerful medicinal properties.
Large, medicinal levels of curcumin can be consumed by simply eating foods that contain large amounts of turmeric, such as yellow Indian curries. However, the powerful gallstone-eliminating effects of curry might be better received through turmeric extract containing a guaranteed amount of the compound. Some herbal supplement companies offer turmeric extract containing as much as 98% concentrations of curcumin.
Gallstones can sometimes become very serious and painful, and they should not be self-diagnosed or self-treated under any circumstances. If you want to pursue natural treatment for gallstones and their symptoms, consult your physician beforehand. Only a qualified naturopathic doctor can properly determine whether or not alternative treatments will be safe and effective in your case.
Sources Used:
Hatcher H, Planalp R, Cho J, Torti FM, Torti SV (June 2008). "Curcumin: from ancient medicine to current clinical trials". Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 65 (11): 1631–52. doi:10.1007/s00018-008-7452-4. PMID 18324353.
Journal of Food Science Volume 68 Issue 1, Pages 111 - 116.
Lieber CS, Leo MA, Cao Q, Ren C, DeCarli LM. (2003). "Silymarin retards the progression of alcohol-induced hepatic fibrosis in baboons". Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology. 2003 Oct;37(4):336-9.. PMID 14506392.
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