Natural Gallstone Remedies and Recipes

Gallstones can be very painful and may even run in your family. These “stones” are formed when various digestive and other fluids somehow solidify, impeding essential functioning of the gallbladder. The main function of the gallbladder is to store bile which is a digestive fluid that helps breakdown fats.

According to the Mayo Clinic, signs and symptoms of gallstones include,

• Sudden and rapidly intensifying pain in the upper right portion of your abdomen
• Sudden and rapidly intensifying pain in the center of your abdomen, just below your breastbone
• Back pain between your shoulder blades
• Pain in your right shoulder
• Nausea or vomiting

As most people can live without their gallbladder (the liver easily takes over), when these symptoms become too painful the protocol is to remove the organ. However, to prevent and sometimes in the early stages, stop gallstone formation, these natural gallstone remedies may help. Consult with your physician or naturopathic doctor before using any natural remedy for gallstones.

Champion Curcumin

An active compound in the spice turmeric called curcumin has good science behind it as being a significant ani-inflammatory. It has shown improvement when applied to all sorts of joint pain. Eventually researchers expanded the study of curcumin finding it useful:

• Treating macular degeneration
• Improving production of the brain protein BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) which has shown deficient in Alzheimer’s, depression, and other brain disorders.
• Lowering heart disease risk
• Treating arthritis

Curcumin can also be used to treat some gallstone cases. This is because curcumin has a significant effect on the gallbladder, enabling it to contract which keeps fluids from becoming stagnant and solidified.

According to archived research from the Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia, published in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics,

“On the basis of the present findings, it appears that curcumin induces contraction of the human gall-bladder.”

Magnesium Manifest

The mineral magnesium has been linked to various health benefits and when it is deficient in the system it may contribute to gallstone formation.

A study of 42,705 U.S. men from 1986 to 2002 by researchers from the Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, University of Kentucky Medical Center concluded that,

“Our findings suggest a protective role of magnesium consumption in the prevention of symptomatic gallstone disease among men.”

Magnesium can be obtained in many plant-based recipes and foods that include fruits and vegetables. Supplementation should be discussed with a health professional before administering as some medications could negatively interact with magnesium.

Eat Clean, Not False

It isn’t hard to figure out what not to eat. The difference between natural food and processed food is pretty obvious. There is, however, the sense of “false diet security”. This is when people become duped by advertising that promises “healthy” ingredients when in reality it is a play on words or an amount discrepancy or both. This tricks consumers into thinking their choice is healthy and therefore they are eating well.

Foods that can compromise the gallbladder include:

• Eggs
• Condiments
• Refined sugar
• Foods with lots of saturated fat
• Food allergens
• Fried foods

Stick to these foods to keep your gallbladder running on all cylinders and help prevent gallstones from forming:

• Dark, leafy greens
• Nuts
• Brown rice
• Whole grains
• Fish
• Olive Oil
• Beans
• Citrus fruits
• Low-fat dairy

Don’t let false claims of eating healthy sway you from real food. Learn how to adjust your diet and prevent unnecessary health compromise down the line.

Gallstone Prevention Recipes

These gallstone prevention recipes will give you an idea of how you can pivot your diet to avoid future problems with your gallbladder. Try these tasty recipes from Heal With Food.

Start your day off right with protein packed flapjacks to fire up and get you going.

Buckwheat Pancakes with Bananas

Japanese researchers have found high protein buckwheat flour to exert strong protective effects against gallstone formation.

Ingredients

1 cup buckwheat flour

1 Tbsp brown sugar

2 Tbsp potato starch

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

1 cup rice milk

2 Tbsp canola oil

Vegetable cooking spray, for frying

2 large bananas, sliced

Brown rice syrup, to serve.

Directions:

Combine dry ingredients in a medium bowl. Add rice milk and canola oil, and whisk until well combined. If batter seems very thick, you may want add a little extra rice milk or water. Preheat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Spray with vegetable cooking spray. With a ladle, pour batter to the size you prefer. Even out batter on skillet with back of a spoon. Cook pancake on medium high heat for a few minutes until bubbles appear. Flip over and continue frying until cooked (a properly cooked pancake appears dense and not sticky when cut in the middle). Serves 2.

Bring lunch to the next level with this gallbladder friendly pairing that may sound odd but surely delivers.

Apple and Onion Soup

Apples are rich in pectin, a type of dietary fiber that has been shown to stop gallstone formation. Also onions may be helpful for people who are prone to developing gallstones: according to one study, consumption of onions (and garlic) may reduce the incidence of cholesterol gallstone formation by 40%.

Ingredients

1 tbsp canola oil

2 medium yellow onions, sliced

1 small leek, chopped

1/2 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped

1/2 tbsp fresh thyme

3 organic apples, cut into small dices

6 cups fat-free, low-sodium vegetable broth

Directions

Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and sauté until golden. Pour in the broth and bring to boil over medium-high heat. Add apples, and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Ladle into soup bowls and serve. Serves 6.

Following a whole food, whole grain diet and avoiding processed foods is an excellent path toward optimal health including gall bladder strength.

These natural gallstone remedies and recipes put the power of your health back in your hands. Don’t let gallstones form by following this protocol, drinking plenty of water, and getting good exercise.

Sources:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10102956/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18076730/

https://www.healwithfood.org/gallstones/recipes/