Home Remedies for Gallbladder Stones

Introduction

The liver, gallbladder, and the ducts associated with the two organs comprise the human biliary system. The biliary system functions include producing and storing bile. Bile originates in the liver and is refined and stored in the gallbladder. One of its main functions is the digestion of fats in the food. When you are not eating, the bile is stored in the gallbladder, where it also becomes concentrated. When you eat, the gallbladder contracts to release the stored bile into the small intestine.

Sudden intense spasm or pain on the upper right side of the abdomen or back, usually after an evening meal, nausea, and vomiting signal that all may not be well with your gallbladder. The pain may last for a few minutes to a few hours².

What is a Gallbladder Stone?

Gallstones are the most common cause of problems in the gallbladder. They are hard nuggets of usually cholesterol or bilirubin², and their size can range from as small as a grain of sand to as large as a golf ball. There may be a single gallstone or multiple ones³.

Types of Gallbladder Stones

Stones in your gallbladder are of three types cholesterol, pigment, mixed gallstones³.

• Excess cholesterol in your bile is likely to produce cholesterol gallstones. It is usually yellow green in colour³.
• If your bile consists of excess bilirubin, you are likely to have pigment gallstones. These appear darker in colour³.
• The third type, known as a mixed gallstone, is a heterogeneous mix of cholesterol, bile pigments, and calcium salts³, and is the most common type of gallstone.

What Causes Stones to Form in Your Gallbladder?

Gallbladder stones are formed due to:

• Inflammation of the gallbladder epithelium
• Excessive amount of cholesterol, bilirubin, or calcium carbonate, etc. or less amount of bile salts in the bile.

There is no established reason yet as to why some people have excess of these chemicals and others do not^1,2.

Risk Factors for Gallbladder Stones

There are only a few specific risk factors identified for gallstone formation. These include:

• Obesity
• Fat or cholesterol rich diet^1,2
• Being a female⁴

A study corroborates that women are at higher risk of gallbladder stones due to pregnancy and sex hormones. Secretion of biliary cholesterol is associated with oestrogen, a group of hormones which play a vital role in aiding the reproductive development in women and maintaining normal sexual health. This results in supersaturation of bile with cholesterol, making it prone to the formation of stones⁴. A study on “Lifestyle and Gallstone Disease” concluded that heaviness or obesity in the abdominal region, lack of physical activity and high intake of foods rich in saturated fats were the most common risk factors for gallstones⁵.

The traditional risk factors for gallstone disease are the four “F’s: female, fat, forty, and fertile,” with many studies supporting the known risk factors for gallstone disease.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Gallbladder Stones Symptoms and Complications

In a majority of cases, there may be no symptoms associated with gallstones¹ however, they may be detected on ultrasound examination⁶. If the gallstones block the bile duct, it can cause pain³.

Here are some of the symptoms and complications that may indicate the presence of gallbladder stones:

• A sudden and intense pain in the upper right part of the abdomen³
• Intense and rapidly increasing pain in the central part of the abdomen, below the breastbone
• Pain between the shoulder blades
• Sharp pain radiating into the right shoulder⁷
• Feeling nauseous or vomiting²

When gallstones block the biliary duct, you start feeling the pain³. The prevalence of gallstones in the female population in some parts of North India is 5.59%⁸.

Complications of untreated gallstones include:

• Obstruction of bile duct leading to jaundice²
• Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder)
• Spread of inflammation to other organs. It may spread into the blood and the body, which is called sepsis^1,7

Because all gallstones might not need surgery and there is no guidance on how big a stone should be to get operated on, complications and the patient’s health conditions are determining factors.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S. M.D. in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology

When to Consult a Doctor?

If you notice any of the above-mentioned symptoms or your symptoms seem to be getting worse, you need to consult a doctor right away.

Home Remedies for Gallbladder Stones

There is no established evidence yet that home remedies are an effective treatment for gallstones. They may, however, provide some symptomatic relief and may help maintain the status quo. We will discuss some exclusive home remedies, along with some natural remedies that may also be tried at home to support good digestive health and gallbladder health.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar With Apple Juice

A mixture of apple juice and apple cider vinegar may be useful as a cleanser. Apple cider vinegar is known to have some health benefits, but its efficacy in gallstones is not medically established. Consumption of large amounts of apple juice is not advisable for those with diabetes, hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar), and stomach ulcer.

2. Dandelion

This flower, also called Singhparni in India, was traditionally known as an effective home remedy for problems of the gallbladder, liver, and bile ducts. It is believed to encourage the production of bile, which is then stored in the gallbladder. Dandelion products may be used for gallstones⁹.

3. Artichoke

Artichoke has a compound called cholagogue, which is known to assist the production of bile and aid the functioning of both the liver and the gallbladder (cholagogue and choleretic properties)¹⁰. You may cook it in various ways to your taste or buy it as a supplement.

4. Psyllium Husk

Psyllium husk or isabgol is a popular remedy used for regularising bowel movements in India. It is believed to avoid the formation of cholesterol gallstones¹¹.

5. Lifestyle and Dietary Changes to Help Avoid Gallstones

• Ensure your diet includes fibre in the form of vegetables, fruits, peas, whole grains, etc¹².
• Limit your intake of coffee and alcohol¹³.
• Include turmeric, ginger, cloves, asafoetida or hing in your daily cooking.
• Include regular physical activity¹².

6. DIY Remedies

• Take a mix of equal parts of carrot, beet, and cucumber twice a day.
• To soothe your spasms and get relief from gallbladder pain, you may use peppermint oil¹⁴.
• Consumption of vitamin C-rich foods (e.g., lemon) or supplements might prevent formation of cholesterol stones¹⁵.
• Thrice a day, consume the fresh juice of one pear mixed with half a glass of warm water and a teaspoon of honey.

Although these home remedies are believed to help with gallstones, it is important to consult your doctor before using anything new.

Conclusion

Gallbladder stones may not always be symptomatic however, if you experience any symptoms associated with gallbladder stones, you should consult a doctor immediately. Prompt medical evaluation and early diagnosis and treatment are essential for avoiding complications from untreated gallbladder stones. Although some lifestyle and dietary changes may support gallbladder health, they may not be able to remove the stones.

Also Read: Simple Home Remedies For Pinworms

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References

1. Dave HD, Al Obaidi NM. Physiology, Biliary [Internet]. PubMed. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537107/
2. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Symptoms & Causes of Gallstones | NIDDK [Internet]. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. 2019. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/gallstones/symptoms-causes
3. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Definition & Facts for Gallstones | NIDDK [Internet]. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. 2019. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/gallstones/definition-facts
4. Wang HH, Liu M, Clegg DJ, Portincasa P, Wang DQH . New insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying effects of estrogen on cholesterol gallstone formation. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) – Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids [Internet]. 2009 Nov;1791(11):1037–47. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2756670/
5. Sachdeva S, Ansari Ma, Anees A, Khan Z, Khalique N. Lifestyle and gallstone disease: Scope for primary prevention. Indian Journal of Community Medicine [Internet]. 2011;36(4):263. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3263145/
6. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Diagnosis of Gallstones | NIDDK [Internet]. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. 2017. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/gallstones/diagnosis
7. Information NC for B, Pike USNL of M 8600 R, MD B, Usa 20894. Complications of gallstones [Internet]. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2017. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK424898/
8. Unisa S, Jagannath P, Dhir V, Khandelwal C, Sarangi L, Roy TK. Population-based study to estimate prevalence and determine risk factors of gallbladder diseases in the rural Gangetic basin of North India. HPB: the official journal of the International Hepato Pancreato Biliary Association [Internet]. 2011 Feb 1;13(2):117–25. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3044346/
9. Li Y, Chen Y, Sun-Waterhouse D. The potential of dandelion in the fight against gastrointestinal diseases: A review. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2022 Jul;293:115272. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35405251/
10. Aksu Ö, Başar Altinterim. Hepatoprotective effects of artichoke (Cynara scolymus) [Internet]. 2013. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/268517529_Hepatoprotective_effects_of_artichoke_Cynara_scolymus
11. Schwesinger WH, Kurtin WE, Page CP, Stewart RM, Johnson R. Soluble dietary fiber protects against cholesterol gallstone formation. American journal of surgery [Internet]. 1999 [cited 2019 Oct 20];177(4):307–10. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10326849
12. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Eating, Diet, & Nutrition for Gallstones | NIDDK [Internet]. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. 2017. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/gallstones/eating-diet-nutrition
13. Di Ciaula A, Garruti G, Frühbeck G, De Angelis M, de Bari O, Wang DQH ., et al. The Role of Diet in the Pathogenesis of Cholesterol Gallstones. Current Medicinal Chemistry. 2019 Sep 12;26(19):3620–38. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8118138/
14. Chumpitazi BP, Kearns GL, Shulman RJ. Review article: the physiological effects and safety of peppermint oil and its efficacy in irritable bowel syndrome and other functional disorders. Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics [Internet]. 2018;47(6):738–52. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5814329/
15. Walcher T, Haenle MM, Kron M, Hay B, Mason RA, Walcher D, et al. Vitamin C supplement use may protect against gallstones: an observational study on a randomly selected population. BMC Gastroenterology. 2009 Oct 8;9(1). Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2763865/

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

46

4