How to Get Rid of Gallstones Naturally gives the recipe for a gallbladder cleanse that allows the passing of gallstones easily and without surgery. Natural remedies do work!
Do you have gallstones, sludge or know someone who does? Maybe you just want to make sure you don't? This is for you!
UPDATE: Have you read this post and still have questions about how to get rid of gallstones using this gallbladder cleanse for passing gallstones? Check out the Frequently Asked Questions section at the bottom.
Have you ever had a gallbladder attack? Talk about painful! But there is hope - here is how to get rid of gallstones naturally!
Thankfully, I have found something that works like a charm, is not invasive and lets me keep my gallbladder! Plus, it doesn't hurt - yeah!
Can You Dissolve Gallstones Naturally?
The short answer is "YES"! It is possible and has worked for me and many others as shown in the comments.
Natural Remedies for Gallstones Without Surgery
My Experience
I had my first when pregnant with our 8th child and after an all-you-can eat pizza buffet - a high fat meat! It was no fun, in fact, it was quite painful!
As a nurse, I knew that I was a prime candidate for gallbladder surgery. Having cared for gallbladder patients, I knew that it was a difficult surgery and I did not want it!
In seeking an alternative to gallbladder surgery, my father introduced me to a gallbladder cleanse, also called a gallbladder flush.
I have continued to use the recipe that I will give below, as needed with success.
Until I started the GAPS diet, I would use the flush once a year or so. Once starting the GAPS diet, interestingly, my gallbladder attacks increased during the first 8 - 10 months or so.
During this time, I did the gallbladder cleanse monthly until my attacks subsided.
Whatever the reason, the GAPS diet seemed to accentuate my gallbladder problem. My gallbladder was not functioning properly and through the process of the GAPS diet allowing my digestive system to function properly, it is now much better. The need for a gallbladder cleanse is almost unnecessary.
You might also be interested in my how to get rid of bladder infections naturally guide.
Before I give the recipe ...
Did you know that nearly 1 million gallbladders are removed yearly?
Over 20 years ago, gallbladders were removed surgically and the recovery period was slow and painful.
The traditional "open" gallbladder surgery has almost completely been replaced with the introduction of laparoscopy.
Laparoscopy uses small instruments and a lighted tube equipped with a video camera, all inserted through tiny abdominal incisions. The recovery period is quicker and less painful with a laparoscopy making it the preferred method of removal.
Unfortunately, the number of gallbladder operations has risen 40 percent since the introduction of the laparoscopy!
Perhaps the doctors would prefer to avoid severe attacks so, the gallbladder is removed with vague symptoms like bloating and gas. This equals unnecessary surgery!
Laporascopic removal of the gallbladder while used commonly is not without risk!
Accidental severing of the bile duct, which can cause permanent liver damage, occurs in 1 to 2 percent of laparoscopies—three times more often than in open surgery!
Function of the gallbladder
The gallbladder is located just under the liver and has a very important role in the digestive process.
According to Wikipedia:
In vertebrates the gallbladder (cholecyst, gall bladder, biliary vesicle) is a small organ that aids mainly in fat digestion and concentrates bile produced by the liver. The surgical removal of the gallbladder is called a cholecystectomy.
To put it another way, it emulsifies fats. Think of trying to wash greasy dishes without soap. It is almost impossible.
Why? Because soap emulsifies the grease. Similarly, the gallbladder stores bile and bile acids, which emulsify the fat eaten so it can be properly transported through the intestine into the blood stream.
Bile is made in the liver, then stored in the gallbladder until the body needs it to digest fat.
At that time, the gallbladder contracts and pushes the bile into a tube--called the common bile duct--that carries it to the small intestine, where it helps with digestion. Under certain conditions the bile can harden into stones.
Types of gallstones
You may wonder how to get rid of gallstones naturally but, what about the different types of stones. Will one natural solution work for all types?
According to WebMD, there are two types of gallstones:
- Cholesterol stones made up of hardened cholesterol are usually yellow-green. 80 percent of gallstones are cholesterol stones. They are caused by too much cholesterol, bilirubin, or not enough bile salts or when the gallbladder does not empty as it should.
- Pigment stones made of bilirubin are small, dark stones. Their cause is uncertain although they tend to occur in people with cirrhosis, biliary tract infections, and hereditary blood disorders such as sickle cell anemia - these conditions cause too much bilirubin to form.
You can see both types in the photo below.
Either type of gallstones can be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball. The gallbladder can develop either one large stone, hundreds of tiny stones, or almost any combination.
Symptoms of a Gallbladder Attack:
If gallstones lodge in any of the ducts that carry bile from the liver to the small intestines, a gallbladder attack occurs.
According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms have a rapid onset and may include:
- Steady pain in the upper abdomen that increases rapidly and lasts from 30 minutes to several hours
- Pain in the back between the shoulder blades
- Pain under the right shoulder
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal bloating
- Recurring intolerance of fatty foods
- Belching
- Gas
- Indigestion
An easy way to determine if your pain is related to the gallbladder is to press down below on your last rib on your right side and lined up with your nipple - if there is pain there is a good chance that you have a gallbladder problem.
Curing Symptoms Not the Problem:
The removal of the gallbladder is a procedure called Cholecystectomy. Following is information about the surgery from the American College of Surgeons.
Of the 1 million cholecystectomys or gallbladder removals that are done yearly, it is estimated that only a few thousand actually need to come out!
Sadly, as many as half of the patients continue to have pain after the gallbladder is removed.
Rather than treat the symptoms, more care should be taken to heed the warning signals and determine why the gallbladder is not functioning properly.
One way to relieve congestion in the gallbladder is a gallbladder cleanse or flush.
Healthline states:
There is no scientific evidence to support these claims, however. The body is able to cleanse and flush itself.
Medical News Today states:
A 2009 paper states that although scientific evidence to support a gallbladder cleanse is minimal, anecdotal reports indicate it may be helpful for some people.
I am not a medical doctor and do not pretend to give medical advise. But, I do want to share what has worked for me and how to get rid of gallstones naturally. That is, passing gallstones using the following gallbladder cleanse.
Even with "minimal" scientific evidence that this cleanse works, if you are one (like me) that it works for, it is completely worth giving it a try!
The following recipe is one I have used since my first attack in 2002.
I use it when I begin to experience pain in my right side, just under my ribs. It is a pain that once you have, you recognize instantly.
While I normally do not have severe pain (because I do the flush before it gets too bad), I have procrastinated and had sever pain, nausea and vomiting - all of which have been relieved for me by the following cleanse and passing gallstones.
How to Get Rid of Gallstones - Passing Gallstones Naturally
Gallbladder Cleanse Recipe
Days 1 - 6:
Drink 1 qt of apple juice each day for 6 days. Drink the apple juice in addition to your regular diet.
There is no specific time that you must drink it - I drink it throughout the day.
The apple juice contains limonoid which helps soften any gallstones and alleviate any pain you are experiencing.
Here is a link to the brand that I use: 100% Apple Juice
On the 6th day:
Do not eat anything after 6 pm.
At 6 pm, take 1 Tbsp Epsom salt with a full glass of water. Mix the Epsom salt in the water - it takes a bit of stirring. I take a big breath and down it quickly!
Around 8 pm repeat 1 Tbsp Epsom salt with a full glass of water.
Then at 10 pm - mix and drink quickly, 4 oz. olive oil and 4 oz. lemon juice.
Go to bed and in the morning you will pass any gallstones you may have. I normally have varying sizes of bright green gallstones visible in the toilet. The Epsom salt acts as a laxative to quickly remove the gallstones from the intestinal tract.
Here are links to the products that I use for this natural solution:
- 100% Apple Juice
- Epsom Salt
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice - Fresh lemon juice can also be used but since I normally have the bottled on hand so I use it.
FAQ
In an effort to make it easier for you, here are some of the most common questions that I receive about how to get rid of gallstones naturally using this gallbladder cleanse.
Passing gallstones can be done without surgery and I know your questions are important. I want to help you as quickly as possible. Hopefully, this section will help you get the answers you need when you need them. If you do not find what you are looking for, please leave a comment.
Is this gallbladder cleanse safe?
I personally have done this cleanse multiple times without any problems. I consider it safe or I would not do it.
Can Natural Remedies Have Side Effects?
You can expect diarrhea as a result of the Epsom salt. That is to be expected as the Epsom salt is used for its laxative effect.
It has been suggested by some critics that a stone may become lodged in the bile duct. In my fourteen years of experience, no one has reported this to me nor have I read reports of this happening. The apple juice is thought to soften the stones so they pass without any problems.
When passing gallstones, do the stones pass through the urine or stool?
They pass through the stool. I normally begin passing them in the next morning with my first bowel movement.
I started having diarrhea after the first dose of Epsom salt - is this normal?
Yes, this is completely normal. Epsom salt is used for its laxative effect to clear the intestines so the stones can be quickly eliminated before they are potentially reabsorbed through your intestinal walls.
How large a stone will this work on?
I cannot say how large is too large. I have never known the size of my stones while they are in my gallbladder. The apple juice works to soften the stones so passing gallstones does not cause any pain.
Will I get sick from this gallstone remedy?
I have never gotten sick from this cleanse. I normally feel full and gassy after the Epsom salt.
After taking the lemon juice/olive oil mixture, I do feel yucky but I have never vomited. (Even though I have wanted to!)
From the comments, there have been a couple of readers who did vomit after taking the mixture but again, I never have.
Can I use sea salt, table salt or rock salt instead of Epsom salt?
The other salts listed are forms of sodium chloride. Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate. They are two very different salts not to be used interchangeably.
Will Epsom salt raise my blood pressure?
No. Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate not table salt which is sodium chloride.
Can natural remedies raise blood pressure?
The natural remedies that I have used will not raise the blood pressure. Of course, if you have an underlying condition or are in doubt, please seek the medical advice of your doctor.
What brand of Epsom salt do you use - will any do?
As long as there are no added fragrances, any will do - mine has the directions for laxative usage on the back of the package.
Here is the Epsom Salt that I use.
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What about the sites claiming this gallstone remedy is a hoax and you are not really passing stones?
There are several online sites claiming this is a hoax and I have read them. But, I disagree and if you have a gallbladder attack and try this cleanse, I think you will too.
The apple juice provides relief from the pain almost immediately. At the risk of sounding like a conspiracy theorist, traditional medicine stands to lose a lot of money if and when people begin to take responsibility for their health with natural solutions that work.
There are are several readers who have had their stones resulting from this cleanse analyzed by a lab and they were indeed gallstones.
Other readers who had ultrasounds before the cleanse showing gallstones and after the cleanse showing none. There is one reader who showed a decreased number of stones and was planning on doing another cleanse to get of rid them.
Are these really stones that result from the gallbladder cleanse?
Gallstones are not stones as in pieces of granite. There are two types of stones:
- Stones made of cholesterol stones
- Pigment stones made up of bilirubin. Like other fats, they float.
Do I take apple juice on the 6th day also?
Yes, you take it on the 6th day also.
Do I take the Epsom salt, olive oil/lemon juice mix only on the 6th day?
Yes, this completes the cleanse and is only done on the last day.
Is there an alternative to the apple juice - I don't want all the sugar?
I have never used anything else but a couple of readers report success with grapefruit juice and another with tart cherry juice.
What brand of apple juice do you use?
I use store bought that has no added sugar.
The brand that I use can be seen here 100% Apple Juice.
Can I juice my own apples?
Yes, but I have no idea how many it would take.
When do you drink the apple juice?
I drink it throughout the day - no specific time.
How much is 1 quart of apple juice?
1 quart = 32 oz = 4 cups = 0.95 liters
What type of olive oil do you use?
I use virgin olive oil. The flavor of extra virgin olive oil is just too strong for me.
This is the brand I use: Olive oil
Can I use other types of oil?
I have never tried it but I would think other healthy oils would be fine.
Do you use fresh squeezed lemon juice or store bought?
I have used both with success but, since I keep bottled lemon juice in the fridge, I normally use it.
This is the brand I use: Lemon juice
How do you get and keep the lemon juice/olive oil mixture down?
This, to me, is the most difficult part of the cleanse. It does not taste good but, if you mix it well, take a big breath and gulp it down, you can do it! After all, it is much easier than surgery! I then brush my teeth to get the taste out of my mouth.
How often can I repeat this cleanse?
I had a doctor say this could be repeated every 2 - 4 weeks for a time of healing. While on the GAPS diet, I did it monthly. Now I do it yearly as a maintenance, just to make sure nothing is building.
Can I do this cleanse while pregnant?
Passing gallstones with this cleanse can be done while pregnant. I have done it while pregnant without any problems. In fact, my first cleanse was when I was pregnant with our eighth child!
Can I do this cleanse while nursing?
I have done it while nursing without any problems.
Should I do a colon cleanse before the gallbladder cleanse?
I never have done a colon cleanse before doing the gallbladder cleanse and it still works great. Despite what others say, the colon cleanse is not necessary to do before doing the gallbladder cleanse.
After completing the gallbladder cleanse, do I need to lay on my right or left side?
I just lay down in bed and try to go to sleep. I find it more comfortable on my right side.
Do I have to go to bed after the olive oil/lemon juice mixture?
That is what the recipe says. It is easier to go to bed and go to sleep rather than stay awake and feel the effects of the Epsom salt. But, be prepared to get up and run to the bathroom for diarrhea! In my experience, passing gallstones occurs in the morning with my first bowel movement.
What type of diet do I eat during this gallbladder cleanse?
I eat a normal diet during the cleanse and afterwards. Our normal diet consists of low amounts of processed sugar, healthy fats, whole grains, fruits and veggies. Oh, and fresh raw dairy from our milk cow.
Pooja says
Hi Dina, could you share the amount of salt one could use for a child? y daughter is 8 and doctors say I shd get her operated and my heart does not allow this :-(
I want to try this.
Dina-Marie says
Pooja, when I used it for my children, I did the same amounts but you could certainly start with half the dose. Our children have always been large for their age so I was not worried that it was too much. If your child is small, I would cut the dose down.
Bryn danson says
Hi, I would like to thank you for your remedy for gallstones. I have suffered with pain between my shoulder blades, burping and stabbing pains in my stomach under my right ribs. I followed your treatment to the letter and finally mid morning passed a massive amount of green gallstones, some very large. To the touch they are now like sticky firm wax, really strange. Thank once again...brilliant remedy. Bryn from Portugal.
Wendsong says
I'm a little confused. How does any of the apple juice ingredients get to the gallstone to soften it? Aren't the bile ducts a one-way street? Bile comes from the liver, into the gallbladder and then to the small intestine via the bile ducts. How does it (the juice) get back up the duct to the gallbladder?
Dina-Marie says
Wendsong, it is actually the limonoid in the apple juice that is used by the body to soften the stones. You are right, the apple juice does not go back up.
TanyaRenee says
Hello Dina,
Thank you for this information. My older sister is having problems with gallstones and I will be sure to share this with her. May use it myself as maintenance. Could not hurt!
TanyaRenee says
One quick question, would you have any advice for kidney stone removal?
Dina-Marie says
Tanya, please see Passing Kidney Stones Naturally - it really works!!!
Wendsong says
I have been having upper abdominal pain for 5 days. The main pain is on the left side, just under the ribs and then goes to the right. The area on the right side is not tender. I have no other symptoms. The ultrasound found only one significant sized gallstone (so, I assume, it's not a new one). Is it unusual for the pain to last this long and be on the wrong side?
Dina-Marie says
Wendson, I really can't say. When I question whether or not it is a gallstone, I do the cleanse to make sure but that is me - you must decide what is right for you to do. If it is a gallbladder attack, the pain can last quite awhile although from my own experience, it doesn't stay the same but worsens until I am nauseated and throwing up. Again, that is my experience.
Madhumitha paul says
My father have a one pice of gallstone.no pain &no symptomes.sudenly find out bye ultrasonography.age 69.is recipe effective my father?
Dina-Marie says
Madhumitha, I really cannot give medical advice. Each person must take responsibility and decide for him/herself what is the right course of action. I know people of all ages who this cleanse has worked for, if that helps any.
Hannah says
Hi! I would like to know if you have any information regarding my situation. I have been having sharp pain under my right rib age for about 2 weeks after I started a really intense diet program. I believe I have developed gallstones due to Not eating For long periods of time. However from last week I started having pain under my right rib as well. I also started feeling nauseous after eating any fatty food. So I’m thinking that my gallstones have caused me acute pancreatitis. Do you think it’s safe for me to try this cleanse in this situation? Thank you so much for all your information!
Hannah says
I’m so sorry I wrote pain under my right ribcage, but I meant pain also under my left rib age, which is pancreatitis resulting from gallstones.
Dina-Marie says
Hannah, no problem - see your previous.
Jackie says
You said at 10pm – mix and drink quickly, 4 oz. olive oil and 4 oz. lemon juice. Do i mix with Epsom salt?
Dina-Marie says
Jackie, no, the Epsom salt is only taken at 6 pm and 8 pm.
Dina-Marie says
Hannah, I really am not able to give medical advice and I personally do not have experience with pancreatitis - sorry!
Paul Reichard says
The thing to look for is what color is your poop. For me... If I didn't eat chocolate my poop would be pale normally. The color of my poop and the pain in my right side, that moves up to my rib and down is the signs I had for my gallstones. I have done this this flush 4 times and let me tell you what happened. First off I had this pain for 2 years in my right side. So you can imagine what my gallbladder would look like. Very clogged. I did the flush the first time and with little effect not solving my problem. But I did feel the pain change. I can't say if it was more pain or less. So I did the flush again and again no real effects but I did see a bunch of little fine gravel that isn't really shown here. At this point I am telling myself well maybe something is happening so lets give it a 3rd try. As for the 3rd try I had a little more hope because I saw 5 green stones floating on the surface of the brown human fertilizer. So I said to myself lets keep it up. I did the flush again being the 4th time. Keep in mind I didn't do this every month. I did this EVERY week! I must confess I felt a little sick on the 4th time but did it pay off. The next day I shot out a fist full of green floating rocks. This flush sure helped me. I hope my experience can help you. FYI after you take the epsom salts for about 24hrs anything that feels like a fart isn't a fart LOL. And having to drink such concoctions was a terrible experience each week. But it works it really works.
EJ says
I’m confused by your statement about pale poop. Are you saying beige or pale poop is a sign of a gallbladder problem and a bad thing?
Salina says
I have a question did you just do the Epsom salt or the whole apple juice process
Renga says
Dear Dina-Marie,
I have a Fatty Lump(Lypoma) in my abdomen, Dr suggesting to remove the lumps which requires surgery, is there anyway I can dissolve the Fatty lumps naturally?
Thanks in advance.
Dina-Marie says
Renga, I do not know of any - sorry!
Madhumitha paul says
My father , gallbladder stone.age 65.one stone & big size.ur method effective my father
Bryce says
Hi Dina, I'm just wondering, I've never done a flush before but need to, I have stones. What makes your "cleanse the "right one" I mean that in the sense as there are so many different kinds of cleanses so just trying to know what is the right one for me ? I'm nursing my 6 month old baby too.thank you
Dina-Marie says
Bryce, I really don't know how to answer that. All I can say is that it has worked for me and if you read through the comments, for many others as well. My father gave me this recipe with my first attack and I was pregnant. I have done it pregnant and nursing without any problems. I hope this helps.
Bryce says
Perfect, thank you:) and I know you said in your comments above that you dont do a colon cleanse, do you find that the epson salts help you poop enough to go ? I'm nervous about that. I've started my prepping this week to do the flush on Saturday.
Also how often would u say I should be doing a flush ?
Dina-Marie says
Bryce, you will be surprised at how well the Epsom salt works!