How to Pass Gallstones Naturally

Dealing with painful gallstone attacks is frustrating, so you likely want relief fast. It’s possible to pass small gallstones, but sometimes they get stuck and cause painful gallstone attacks. Diet and supplements may help your gallstones pass more easily. Additionally, a gallbladder cleanse might help you pass your gallstones. However, check with your doctor before using natural treatments and before treating gallstones at home. Also, see your doctor if you experience recurring gallbladder attacks.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using Diet and Supplements

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    Eat a high fiber diet to help reduce your gallbladder symptoms. Fiber may help you avoid the need for surgery, possibly by keeping your digestive system running smoothly. Incorporate high-fiber foods at meal times or take a fiber supplement to keep your bowels moving.[1] Typically, women need 21-25 grams of fiber daily, while men need 30-38 grams.
    • High fiber foods include fresh produce, whole grains, beans, and nuts.
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    Take a rowachol supplement daily to help dissolve your gallstones. Rowachol is a mixture of plant terpenes that may help dissolve cholesterol gallstones. This can help the gallstones pass more easily. Read the label on your supplement and take it as directed.[2]
    • You can buy rowachol online or at some health food stores. If you buy it online, research the company to make sure you're getting it from a reputable source.
    • Check with your doctor before taking this supplement.
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    Try Lysimachiae Herba for dissolving cholesterol gallstones. Lysimachiae Herba is a traditional Chinese medicine that’s usually used to treat liver and gallbladder problems, including gallstones. Take your supplement as directed on the bottle or as instructed by your holistic practitioner. Continue to use it daily until your gallbladder symptoms resolve.[3]
    • You can buy Lysimachiae Herba online or through a holistic provider who specializes in Chinese medicine. When buying online, always make sure you're using a reputable source.
    • This treatment might work for some people, but it may not work the same way for everyone. Additionally, it’s best to check with your doctor before you take it.
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    Mix 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of raw apple cider vinegar into apple juice. Pour 1  c (240 mL) of apple juice into a glass, then add 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of raw apple cider vinegar. Stir the ingredients to combine them. Then, drink the mixture to reduce your gallbladder symptoms. Repeat as needed to manage your gallbladder symptoms.
    • Don't use this remedy more than twice a day. Additionally, stop using it and talk to your doctor if it upsets your stomach.
    • This remedy may help the pain from a gallbladder attack go away quickly. Additionally, it may help your gallstones pass if you drink it every morning.
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    Stir apple cider vinegar and lemon juice into a glass of water. Pour 1  c (240 mL) of water into a glass. Then, measure 2  tsp (9.9 mL) of apple cider vinegar and 1  tsp (4.9 mL) of lemon juice and add them to the glass. Stir to combine the ingredients, then drink the entire glass. Repeat every day until your symptoms go away.
    • For best results, drink the mixture on an empty stomach.
    • There’s no evidence that this will help your gallstones pass.
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    Sip dandelion tea or take a dandelion supplement. Dandelion is believed to support your gallbladder, liver, and bile ducts, so it may help with your gallstones. Look for a dandelion tea or a supplement. Drink your tea once a day or take your supplement as directed.[4]
    • There’s no proof that dandelion will help with your gallstones.
    • Talk to your doctor before using dandelion.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Doing a Gallbladder Cleanse

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    Avoid food or eat a low-fat diet during the 2 days of your cleanse. Some cleanses recommend you avoid food, but others encourage you to stick to a low-fat diet. Generally, it’s best to eat food while you’re doing the cleanse. If you lose weight, it may make your gallstones worse.
    • For instance, eat plain oatmeal for breakfast, a small salad with an apple for lunch, and chicken breast with steamed veggies for dinner.
    • Some gallbladder cleanses last longer than 2 days. However, don’t attempt a long cleanse unless you’re under the supervision of a doctor or holistic practitioner.

    Warning: Keep in mind that quick weight loss due to a lower calorie diet is a common cause of gallstones. If you fast during the cleanse and drop weight, it’s possible that your gallstones will worsen.

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    Mix 2⁄3  c (160 mL) of olive oil and 1⁄3  c (79 mL) of fruit juice in a cup. Measure out your olive oil into a glass. Then, measure out and add fruit juice. Use lemon juice, apple juice or grapefruit juice, depending on your preference. Stir the ingredients together to mix them.[5]
    • An oil and juice blend is the easiest, safest cleanse recipe.
    • You can find different recipes for cleanses, which sometimes include herbs. Additionally, some blends include Epsom salt. It’s best to consult a naturopathic doctor or a functional medicine provider to get a recipe that fits your needs.
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    Drink your gallbladder cleanse 3 times daily between meals. Consume the cleanse mixture between meals so your stomach is likely to be empty. Hold your nose and quickly drink the mixture. The oil and juice will soften the gallstones and possibly help them pass.[6]
    • There’s no scientific evidence that this will work, but some people find that it helps relieve their gallbladder pain. It may not work the same way for you.
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    Stay near a toilet because the cleanse will likely cause diarrhea. The oil and juice will act as a laxative, so they might help carry the softened gallstones through your system. When you use the restroom, look in the toilet to see if there are stones in your stool. It’s possible that these are your gallstones.[7]
    • While gallbladder cleanses often produce stones in your stool, there’s some scientific evidence that these stones might be caused by the cleanse ingredients. However, if your gallbladder pain goes away, you might still be happy with the results.[8]
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    Stop doing the cleanse after 2 days or if you have abdominal pain. Don’t do the cleanse longer than 2 days unless a doctor or holistic provider tells you to do so. Additionally, stop drinking the mixture if you experience gastrointestinal distress. The cleanse might cause severe abdominal pain, extreme diarrhea, vomiting, or nausea.[9]
    • If side effects continue after you stop the cleanse, call your doctor to find out if you need additional treatment.

    Tip: There’s no evidence that a gallbladder cleanse will work. However, it’s possible that you will see benefits.[10]

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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

When to Seek Medical Treatment

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    Check with your doctor before using herbal remedies. While natural treatments are generally safe, they’re not right for everyone. They can interfere with your medications or worsen certain conditions. Additionally, using herbs or oils to treat your gallbladder can sometimes cause additional risks. Talk to your doctor to make sure natural treatments are safe for you.[11]
    • Tell your doctor which treatments you plan to use and that you’re hoping to pass your gallstones.
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    See your doctor if you have severe pain or recurring attacks. Gallstones often don’t cause symptoms, and you don’t need to worry about them if you’re feeling fine. However, you might experience painful gallstone attacks if a gallstone causes a blockage. These attacks can last for a few minutes up to several hours. If your pain is really severe or the attacks keep happening, see your doctor. Signs of a gallbladder attack include:[12]
    • Sudden, increasing pain in your right upper or center abdomen
    • Back pain between your shoulder blades
    • Pain in your right shoulder
    • Nausea or vomiting
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    Get immediate medical treatment if you have signs of complications. While you likely don’t need to worry, gallstones can cause complications, especially if they’re not treated. If you may have complications, you need immediate medical treatment. Go to the emergency room or call for help if you have the following symptoms:[13]
    • Abdominal pain that’s so bad you can’t get comfortable
    • Vomiting
    • Yellowing of your skin or eyes
    • High fever
    • Chills
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    Ask about taking ursodiol (Actigall, Urso) to dissolve small stones. Talk to your doctor to find out if medication may help dissolve your gallstones. They’ll help you decide if medication is right for you. If you decide to try ursodiol, take your medication exactly as directed. Typically, you'll take it 2-4 times daily to dissolve your gallstones.[14]
    • You’ll likely take this medication for months or years before your gallstones fully dissolve. Additionally, your gallstones may re-form.[15]
    • This medication can also prevent new stones from forming during quick weight loss.
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    Ask your doctor about surgery if you have frequent attacks. The most effective treatment for gallstones is removing your gallbladder. Your doctor can do a simple laparoscopic surgery where they make 4-5 small incisions to remove your gallbladder. You’ll stay in the hospital overnight after the procedure. Talk to your doctor about getting surgery if your gallbladder attacks recur.[16]
    • You’ll likely experience discomfort during your recovery from surgery, but your gallbladder symptoms should go away.
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Warnings

  • If you’re having gallbladder attacks, see your doctor immediately. Without treatment, your symptoms may cause complications, like inflammation or a blockage.
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/what-to-do-about-gallstones
  2. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19803550
  3. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26552164
  4. ↑ https://nccih.nih.gov/health/dandelion
  5. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gallstones/expert-answers/gallbladder-cleanse/faq-20058134
  6. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gallstones/expert-answers/gallbladder-cleanse/faq-20058134
  7. ↑ https://www.drugs.com/mcf/gallbladder-cleanse-a-natural-remedy-for-gallstones
  8. ↑ https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140673605663738/fulltext
  9. ↑ https://middlesexhealth.org/learning-center/qanda/gallbladder-cleanse-a-natural-remedy-for-gallstones
  1. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19803550
  2. ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/herbal-medicine
  3. ↑ https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/gallstones/symptoms-causes
  4. ↑ https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/gallstones/symptoms-causes
  5. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/what-to-do-about-gallstones
  6. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gallstones/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354220
  7. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/what-to-do-about-gallstones
  8. ↑ https://www.livescience.com/34726-gallstones-symptoms-treatment.html

About This Article

Lisa Bryant, ND
Co-authored by:
Lisa Bryant, ND
Licensed Naturopathic Physician
This article was co-authored by Lisa Bryant, ND and by wikiHow staff writer, Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA. Dr. Lisa Bryant is Licensed Naturopathic Physician and natural medicine expert based in Portland, Oregon. She earned a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from the National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon and completed her residency in Naturopathic Family Medicine there in 2014. This article has been viewed 58,322 times.
6 votes - 83%
Co-authors: 5
Updated: August 8, 2022
Views: 58,322
Categories: Gallbladder Health

Medical Disclaimer

The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.

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