Gallstones, diet and herbal remedies

​ Gallstones, cholicystitis and other gallbladder related issues seem to be prevalent.  There seems to be a fairly high incidence of gallbladder issues here in Ireland.
 
There are a number of reasons this may be happening:

• Too much cholesterol in your bile
• Too much bilirubin in your bile
• Gall bladder not emptying properly

 
Risk factors:

• Age – over 40
• Female
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Weight issues
• Pregnancy
• High fat diet
• Low fiber diet
• High cholesterol diet
• Family history of gallstones
• Rapid weight loss
• Diabetes
• Estrogen containing medication
• Liver disease

 
My way of helping my clients with Gallstones it with the use of Herbal Medicines, nutrition and lifestyle advice.  With some simple changes in diet you can help prevent further stones, herbal medicines can help with dissolving certain forms of gall stones and lifestyle changes can help with both.

Here are some of the remedies I use in clinic:

• Gravel root – more traditionally used with Kidney stones, but I like the results its yields

• Globe artichoke – this is a lovely all around liver herb
• Milk Thistle – another lovely Liver herb used for gallbladder issues
• Apple Cider vinegar – 1tsp – 1tbsp in hot water in the morning
• Psyllium husks – added to foods
• Castor oil packs – placed over the gallbladder and apply heat
• Dandelion – yes, that pest that you are always trying to get rid of
• Activated charcoal
• Lipase enzymes
• Juices – specific for gallstones

 
Other ways to help reduce the incidence of gallstones are:

• Weight management
• Avoid fad diets or rapid weight loss
• Get an anti inflammatory diet
• Become more active

 
Always consult your doctor first if you think you may have gallstones.
 If you are considering a gallstone flush get some expert help and supervision.  If the stones are too large you may cause more issues than you resolve. 
 
Always get professional advice from a Naturopath when dealing with health issues naturally for safe and relevant advice.  There is an abundance of information on the Internet, but you need to sieve through it to find what works and what is safe to follow.
 
 
 
 
 
To find out more, you can contact Carina at
T -(087) 0978880,
E -  [email protected]
W - www.itsanaturalchoice.com,
A - Lisnolan, Manulla, Castlebar, Co Mayo, F23 C922