Home Remedies and Herbs for Gallstone (Gallbladder Pain)

Gallstones form in the gallbladder as hardened digestive fluid deposits. The gallbladder is the small organ that is on the right side of the abdomen. It is responsible for containing bile, a digestive fluid that gets released into the small intestine. ¹

When they form, gallstones cause a painful attack. This typically happens after eating. Gallstones range in size from a grain of sand to a golf ball sized gallstone. Depending on the person, you may develop one gallstone or you may develop several at once.^1,2

Gallstones and gallbladder pain most commonly affect women, overweight people, Native Americans, Mexican Americans and older adults. ² 

What Causes Gallstones / Gallbladder Pain?

Gallstones and gallbladder pain form when the substances in the gallbladder that make up bile become imbalanced. These substances may include too much cholesterol or bilirubin, or if there is not enough bile salts. ³

The most common cause of gallstones is an imbalance of cholesterol, which creates yellow-green hardened cholesterol deposits. Fewer people form pigment stones which are gallstones formed from a bilirubin imbalance. ³

While it is not known why these substance imbalances occur in the gallbladder, there are several risk factors for gallbladder pain including:

• Obesity
• Diets low in fiber and high in refined carbohydrates
• Intestinal disease such as Crohn’s Disease
• Rapid weight loss
• Diabetes and metabolic syndrome

If the gallbladder doesn’t empty fully or not enough, then gallstones may also form. ³

Gallstones / Gallbladder Pain Symptoms

Gallstones can produce symptoms or otherwise they can often be asymptomatic. When gallstones are asymptomatic they are called silent gallstones. ³

When gallstones block the gallbladder bile ducts then this causes pressure which produces a gallstones attack. These gallbladder pain symptoms can last one or more hours and subsides after the gallstone has moved. ³

Other gallstones symptoms and complications can include gallbladder swelling and inflammation as well as damage or infection to the gallbladder, bile ducts and liver. Gallstones can also lead to pancreatic inflammation. If left untreated, gallstones that block either the bile ducts or the pancreatic duct can be fatal. ³

Natural Remedies and Herbs for Gallstones / Gallbladder Pain

There are many ways to treat gallstones and gallbladder pain at home. Here are some gallstones natural remedies to try:

• Apple Cider Vinegar - Apple cider vinegar helps to dissolve the gallstones and removes the blockages that cause painful gallstones attacks.
• Milk Thistle - Milk thistle is one of the best gallstones natural remedies because of its natural liver and gallbladder detoxifying health benefits.
• Lemon Juice - To help dissolve gallstones, lemon juice can be used as an effective home remedy for gallbladder pain.The high concentration of citrus in lemon juice also acts as a detoxifying remedy to help prevent gallstones from forming.
• Hot Water Bottle - The heat from a hot water bottle can help to ease a gallstones attack and can be used as often as needed when gallbladder pain symptoms start.
• Burdock - Burdock is an adaptogen herb which helps to detoxify the liver and stimulate the gallbladder. This can help to dissolve gallstones and prevent painful gallstones attacks.
• Pears - Pear juice is a natural gallbladder cleanse which can help to dissolve gallstones and prevent them from causing gallbladder pain symptoms.

References

1. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gallstones/basics/definition/con-20020461 
2. https://medlineplus.gov/gallstones.html 
3. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-topics/digestive-diseases/gallstones/Pages/facts.aspx