A gallbladder attack can be a painful and sometimes frightening experience. Although a majority of people with gallstones do not experience recurring symptoms, if you are having gallbladder pains there are a number of herbal remedies that you can turn to for relief.
What is a Gallbladder Attack?
Before attempting to treat yourself, you should understand what causes a gallbladder attack and what the symptoms are. If you are unsure that the pain you are experiencing is from gallstones, it’s best to seek the advice of a medical professional before turning to herbal cures.
The gallbladder is a small muscular organ located below your liver. The liver creates bile and sends it to the gallbladder which is a reservoir for storing bile until it is needed while you are eating. Gallstones occur when one of the substances that make up the bile becomes too concentrated and forms crystals that build up into a hardened deposit resembling a stone.
Many people have gallstones and never experience pain, but sometimes as the stones move around they become lodged and block the ducts in the gallbladder. When this occurs, the gallbladder goes into spasms and becomes inflamed which leads to the pain associated with a gallbladder attack.
Often doctors will recommend surgery as an option if you are suffering from gallbladder issues. Before considering surgery, be sure to read about David Smith’s experiences in Gallstones Natural Solution.
Smith is a natural health researcher who discovered, through trial and error, how to cure his gallstones and restore his health. In this book he provides you with the information he learned that doctors aren’t likely to share.
Herbal Remedies
There are many natural herbs that can help improve liver and gallbladder health, reducing inflammation. These herbs help the body to regulate its production and use of cholesterol. The three most popular herbal supplements are peppermint, dandelion, and milk thistle.
Peppermint is known for its ability to aid in digestion by stimulating the flow of bile and other digestive juices. It is composed of a compound called terpene that has been reported to relax spasms, relieve pain, and dissolve existing gallstones.
To take peppermint, add one teaspoon of dried peppermint leaves to one cup of boiling water and steep for five minutes before straining. Drink after meals as needed. This tea can be enjoyed as is or with the addition of a natural sweetener such as honey or stevia.
Dandelion root is used in the treatment of gallstones because it acts as a natural diuretic and helps the liver eliminate toxins. It contains a compound known as taraxacum that aids the liver in excreting bile and metabolizing fat. A well-functioning liver is necessary for a healthy gallbladder.
For this remedy, add one teaspoon of dried dandelion root to one cup of boiling water and allow to steep for five minutes. Strain out the roots and add a natural sweetener if needed. You should drink this tea two to three times a day until symptoms have subsided.
Milk thistle is another herb that helps to detoxify the liver making it easier for the body to eliminate gallstones. This herb contains a compound called silymarin that stimulates bile production. Increased bile production prevents the concentration that causes crystals which become stones.
The increased bile also helps to flush out any existing gallstones. The easiest form of milk thistle to use is ground seeds which you can brew into a tea. Add one teaspoon of ground seeds to one cup of boiling water and allow to steep for 20 minutes before straining. Milk thistle is known to be quite bitter, so if sweetening, be sure to use a natural sweetener. Drink this tea two to three times a day for one week.
More detailed information on how to use simple herbs to reverse years of damage to your gallbladder can be found in Smith’s book.
Healthy Lifestyle
It is important to remember that these herbal remedies are useful to help alleviate symptoms and treat existing gallstones, but there are other actions you can take to help reduce your chances of forming stones.
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Avoid rapid weight loss and fad diets
- Eat high fiber foods and consider taking a fiber supplement
- Avoid fatty and high cholesterol foods
- Be more active
Eating healthy and exercising to maintain your proper weight will reduce inflammation associated with gallbladder problems. Making these changes a part of your daily life and supplementing with the recommended herbs is a natural way to alleviate current gallbladder issues and prevent future flare-ups.
0 Comments