One of the best ways to treat gallbladder disease is to prevent the formation of gallstones, that often lead to full-blown, painful gallbladder attacks. There’s no method that guarantees a cure 100 percent of the time, but several alternative treatments have shown efficacy in controlling and stopping gallbladder attacks.

Gallstones, can be as small as a grain of sand or larger than a golf ball, according to the American Medical Association (AMA), and are caused by calcified cholesterol, excess bilirubin in the liver, or too little bile salts. Gallstones get caught during bile transport between gallbladder and liver, blocking the ducts and causing pain both in the liver and the pancreas. You may experience excruciating pain in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen, sometimes extending to the right shoulder, chest and back; accompanied by bloating, gas, nausea and vomiting. Natural approaches can relieve a gallstone attack and help stones pass. The following list is by no means exhaustive.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture treatments reduce spasms, encourage adequate flow of bile, restore healthy organ function and help gallstones pass. Several treatments may be necessary to eradicate problems.

Homeopathy

• Colocynthis provides relief for biliary colic and gallstone attacks. The remedy is useful for treating abdominal spasms and cramping that are relieved from pressure and bending forward. Anger often brings on an attack.

• Cheledonium relieves pain extending from the right side of the abdomen to the upper, right side of the back near the shoulder blade. There may be bloating, belching and a bitter taste in the mouth with bad breath. It’s especially helpful for gallstone colic during pregnancy.

• Lycopodium is indicated for pains that move from right to left. There may be cramping in the right side of the abdomen that extends to the left at some point during the attack. There may be nausea, vomiting, loud belching and large amounts of gas during a gallbladder attack. Other indications for this remedy are when abdominal pains are made better from consuming hot drinks and foods.

Herbs

• Milk Thistle has been used for centuries to detox both liver and gallbladder, as well as a variety of other restorative treatments. The active ingredient in Milk thistle , silymarin, is an antioxidant that protects both organs providing pain relief.

• Artichoke Leaf extract stimulates healthy gallbladder and liver function, reducing indigestion and bloating resulting from a biliary attack.

• Turmeric, the well-known Indian herb known for its ability to reduce inflammation, shows promise in being able to stimulate gallbladder contractions, providing relief from indigestion, pain and bloating. Research findings published in the Gut journal in March of 2010 state that curcumin reduces blockage of the bile ducts and lessens liver scarring and damage.

• Cayenne Pepper is an effective treatment for reducing gallbladder pain. Scientists explain that substance P, a natural chemical found in the body, is ordinarily released after any type of tissue damage. Substance P alerts the brain to the location of an injury. The active ingredient in cayenne pepper, capsicum, tricks the body into releasing substance P, making the body’s nervous system think it has been injured. This action is used beneficially in the case of stomach pain associated with gallbladder attacks. By consuming small amounts of cayenne pepper over time, the body eventually becomes immune to the pain.

Dietary Treatments

• Lecithin granules help prevent and dissolve gallstones by keeping cholesterol from becoming solid in the gallbladder. Lecithin granules are available from sources such as soy, egg and sunflower seeds. Buy GMO-free product only.

• Blackseed oil, extracted from the seeds of Nigella sativa, is an excellent supplement to flush the gallbladder of excess buildup before gallstones develop. It improves overall function of both the liver and gallbladder.

Sources:

http://pages.uoregon.edu/bwestra/caffeine2.pdf
http://gut.bmj.com/content/59/4/521
http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_symptoms_of_gallstones_gallbladder_disease_000010_2.htm
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/gallbladder-disease-000066.htm
http://archsurg.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=560291
http://www.med.nyu.edu/content?ChunkIID=21605
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/milk-thistle-000266.htm
http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/how_can_gallstones_gallbladder_disease_be_prevented_000010_5.htm
http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/understanding-gallstones-prevention
http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/gall_bladder_attacks3.html#LECITHIN

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