Herbal Remedies for Gallstones, Ayurvedic Treatment – Causes & Symptoms

Gallbladder is a small abdominal organ that helps in digestion. It releases bile into small intestine that helps in the breakdown of fats and aids in absorption. When due to some reasons bile particles build up, they grow to form large stones which further cause pain, nausea and harmful digestive problems. Stones in the gall bladder are known as gallstones.

There are three types of gallstones:

1. Cholesterol stone – These are composed mainly of cholesterol which is formed in the liver.
2. Pigment stone – These are composed mainly of the calcium salts, bilirubin and other material.
3. Mixed stones are composed of the above all.

Cholesterol stones are the most common type. People who are overweight, older people, pregnant women, people with family history of gallstones, people with diseases of the small intestine and people who have recently lost weight.

CAUSES

• Irregular food habits
• Increased body weight or if the person is obese
• Genetic predisposition
• Obesity and diabetes increase cholesterol which in turn leads to the formation of cholesterol stones.
• Liver disorders such as cirrhosis of the liver or fatty liver may also lead to the formation of the stones.
• Blood disorders such as sickle cell anemia is also responsible for causing gall stones formation.
• Excess of fatty, sweet and non-vegetarian foods are responsible for causing cholesterol stones.
• Consumption of excessive spicy and fried food stuffs can lead to the development of pigment stones.
• Increased level of estrogen hormone is also responsible for increasing the cholesterol level in the body which would hen lead to the formation of the stones.

SYMPTOMS

• Severe and intermittent pain in the right upper abdomen. Pain is radiating in nature and radiated upto chest, shoulders or back.
• Chronic indigestion
• Nausea and vomiting
• Constipation
• Swelling and tenderness
• Flatulence
• Heartburn

AYURVEDIC VIEW AND TREATMENT ACCORDING TO CHANDIGARH AYURVED CENTRE

According to Ayurveda, Gallstones can be compared with Pittashmari. Ayurveda believes that gallstones are caused due to the imbalance in metabolism, the digestive system or when the gall bladder is not emptying completely. Thyroid gland, the primary organ responsible for metabolism, also has the major role in the formation of the gallstones.

All the three doshas mainly vata, pitta and kapha have a major role in the formation of gallstones. Aggravated pitta dosha creates the base for stone formation. Increased kapha dosha then mixes with the pitta thereby producing highly sticky mixture. The vata dosha then dries this mixture and moulds it into the shape of a stone causing the formation of ashmari in the body.

Ayurvedic formulations useful in case of gallstones are:

• Kanchnar Guggulu
• Gokshuradi Guggulu
• Aarogyavardhini Vati
• Yakrit Vati
• Trikatu Churna
• Shankh Vati
• Sootshekhar Rasa
• Prawal Panchamrit Rasa
• Shankh Bhasma
• Hingvashtak Churna
• Avipattikar Churna
• Chitrakadi Vati

DIET AND LIFESTYLE

• Take fruit and vegetable juices for a few days.
• Carrots, beets, grapefruit, pears, lemons or grape may be taken in the form of juice.
• Yoghurt, cottage cheese and a tablespoon of olive oil twice a day should be included in the diet.
• Do some physical exercises.
• Vajrasana, Pawanmuktasana, padmasana are beneficial in case of gall stones.
• Maintain proper food timings. Late night meals must be strictly avoided.
• Junk foods, chocolates, bread, cakes, milk products like curd, butter, khoya, carbonated drinks and alcohol must be avoided.
• Citrus fruits, vitamin C, turmeric and ginger help in reducing cholesterol in the gallbladder and hence prevent its build up.
• Application of castor oil pack over the gallbladder area helps in reducing pain and inflammation, improves circulation and promote healing of damaged tissues.
• Drink at least 5-6 liters of water in a day.

HERBAL REMEDIES

• Take one glass of apple juice and add one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Mix well and drink this once a day.
• Take half glass of hot water and add half glass of pear juice to it. To this add two tablespoon of honey. Mix well and have this three times a day.
• Take raw beet juice. To this add an equal amount of cucumber juice and carrot juice. Mix them all and drink two times a day.

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