Try Some Herbal Remedies for Gallstones

Herbs Used During an Attack

• Peppermint Oil: Enteric-coated capsules are recommended. Use 200 milligrams three times a day to relieve spasms. Caution: Use this herb only when having spasms since taking it at other times may actually have a counter-effect.
• Prickly ash: Use prickly ash as a plaster, not applied directly to the skin. Never take prickly ash internally. Make up the plaster by grinding up some prickly ash to release the volatile oil in it, then mix about one fourth cup of the herb with enough lukewarm water to make a paste. Take care not to get the substance in your eyes or under the fingernails. Put the result between several layers of cheesecloth and apply over the gallbladder to relieve mild spasms

Herbs to Prevent Attacks

• Alfalfa: Use tablets or capsules with 1,000 milligrams of alfalfa with a glass of warm water twice a day.
• Gentian: Take the capsules as directed on the label.
• Milk thistle: Also called Silymarin. The recommended dose is 600 milligrams a day.
• Soy lecithin: 2,000 milligrams a day is supposed to reduce the amount of cholesterol created in the liver.

Chinese Herbal Formulas

Here are some formulas that Chinese medicine finds useful for gallstone treatment. Caution: Do not use these formulas if pregnant or with a fever.

• Frigid Extremities Powder (Si Ni San)
• Gentiana Longdancao Decoction (long dan xie gan tang)
• Major Bupleurum Decoction (Da chai hu tang).

Other Suggestions

• Reports suggest that vegetarians have half the risk of having gallstones than people who eat meat.
• Gallstones formation may be linked to food allergies. Consult an allergist if this might be a problem.
• Constipation may be connected with gallstone formation. Treat constipation by increasing the consumption of fiber.
• Weight cycling, so-called "yo-yo" dieting, where the weight changes rapidly up and down, may increase the risk of gallstones.

Sources

Balch, Phyllis A., CNC. Prescription for Herbal Healing. New York: Avery, 2002.
Brenerman, J. C., "Allergy elimination diet as the most effective gallbladder diet," Annals of Allergy 26 (1986): 83.

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