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.
Judy says
Hi Dina-Marie. I really want to do the cleanse to avoid surgery. I'm having frequent bouts of biliary colic. Will the olive oil cause intense gallbladder pain? Isn't oil precisely what causes pain in the first place? I'm desperate to find relief.
Dina-Marie says
Judy, I have not had any increased pain due to the olive oil which triggers the flush. Once I start drinking the apple juice, my pain subsides.
Yvonne Higgins says
Can l drink a small amount of apple juice after the epson salts like a couple of mouth fulls
Dina-Marie says
Yvonne, it might be fine but I would not just because one time I drank a cup of coffee after it and there was a difference in the outcome.
clarence says
I have my 2nd time cleanse but still see 2 tiny stones on my ultrasound.,shall I proceed on the 3rd time after 2 weeks?I followed tne procedure.,
Dina-Marie says
Clarence, I really cannot give medical advice. That will have to be your decision but there is nothing wrong with repeating the cleanse.
Trisha says
Why do you drink the apple juice for the 6 days. I'm on day 5 now; but still having off and on horrible pain. I just want to feel better. Could I complete the cleans today?
Dina-Marie says
Trisha, that is the way the original recipe stated and the apple juice helps soften the stones so they will pass without pain. I have never had the pain to continue once I began drinking the apple juice so if it were me, I would complete the cleanse and see how I felt. If I were still having pain, I would see a doctor. I hope this helps!
Carmen says
Have a 3 1/2 centimeter gallstone. Would this really help or is it going to get stuck and I end up in the emergency room? Have you heard of anyone passing a 3 1/2 stone by doing your recipe?
Dina-Marie says
Carmen, I really cannot say. I have never known the sizes of my stones before doing this cleanse but decided I would rather end up seeking medical attention because I tried a natural alternative than opt for surgery from the get go.
Angela says
Hello Dina-Marie,
Thank you for your help! I am on Day 7 right now and have seen some green stones floating. The size was a little bigger than a pea, smaller than a marble, for reference for those who have questions.
FYI: By 10:30 pm last night (Day 6), the first round of diarrhea hit.
I was actually glad to get things started sooner, as it seemed to make the process easier on my body.
Since I had done a colon cleanse back in March for a colonoscopy, I was a little more prepared. Here are some suggestions of some things I did that helped me:
* Leave on a small light in the bathroom all night to make it easier to get there quickly (I use solar lamps at night & recharge daily in sunlight)
* Stock up on toilet paper & make sure rolls are within reach
* Gather phone, reading/writing material, etc & put in bathroom
* Put some paper napkins in a Ziploc, add enough water to barely soak them, seal, & freeze. Freeze a small bag of ice. I also froze some paper towels. Take them to the bathroom at 10:00 pm. Set bag of ice in the sink, put the bag of napkins on top of it, & put paper towels on top of that. If you start feeling faint or nauseous, apply bag of ice or wet napkins to back of neck. Dry with paper towel.
* Have water & anti-nausea medicine handy (Try NOT to take anything that will make you fall asleep, such as Benadryl, only because you really need to be awake when the urge to go hits. It may be fine, but I'm not going to risk it.)
* Put dish soap & water in spray bottle to spray toilet between rounds. Shake & spray for a clean bowl & fresh scent. You'll thank me for this later! (I use Mrs Meyers Clean Day Dishwashing Detergent, Lavender Scent, & keep a spray bottle in the bathroom.)
* Wear Depends & loose bottoms that are easy to remove
* Before drinking lemon & oil, take your dog on a bathroom walk, have someone help with the kids (if possible), & make ahead meals for the next day (you're going to be near the bathroom for a while)
* When prepping for the cleanse, prepare as much as possible on Day 5. I used filtered water that was room temperature for the Epsom salt mixture. First, I put in the water, then the 1 tbsp of Epsom salt. I used a Rubbermaid drink container, so I sealed it & shook it well. For the lemon juice, I measured it & put the container in the fridge, but kept the measured olive oil on the counter. I mixed those just before drinking (I did set out the lemon juice at 8 pm). It went down fairly well.
It's now almost 1:00 pm, & I was able to empty my bladder without a bowel movement. There's definitely still more bathroom time awaiting today, but at least my body gets a bit of a rest. And I will do this cleanse again in a couple of weeks to make sure the stones are gone.
I usually eat mostly fruits and vegetables (I love meat, just don't eat it much). However, about a month ago I ate meat every day for a little over a week. Unfortunately, two days were homemade hamburgers (I used my George Foreman grill & even used napkins to soak up excess fat), a couple were BLTs (again, soaked up excess fat from the bacon), & porkchops. I cooked all of this food, & got rid of all of the excess fat, but it still was enough to shut down my gallbladder. That is scary. Think about what happens to the people who eat fatty foods regularly.
Dina-Marie, thank you so much for this site and your help! You've helped me so much, and hopefully my feedback will help others.
Good luck to all!
Dina-Marie says
Hi Angela, thank you for the detailed help list. I do have a few comments from my experience as this cleanse is not meant to totally disrupt your life. I know the lemon juice/olive oil mixture does not taste good but, I would not encourage any type of nausea medicine. For me, the cleanse has never been so bad that I felt the need to do the methods using fragrance spray or ice. I have never had diarrhea last into the next day though. Normally, once I go in the morning, I am fine. Healthy fatty foods are good for you in moderation especially the animal fat from grass fed meats and healthy fruits like avocados. But, our digestion needs to be working properly to handle them and the normal American diet reeks havoc on our systems.
It just goes to show that everyone is different and I appreciate your input!
MJ says
Could I use smooth moves tea instead as a cleanse on the 6 day? I have a very sensitive stomach.
Dina-Marie says
MJ, I have not tried any other laxative and although it seems like it should, let me know if you try it and it works, please!
Norman says
My doctor said my gallbladder is not functioning well. So he suggested to have it removed. He said this might be the one that cause my gerd. I rarely experience pain, only sometimes. I'm on the 3rd day of apple juice, I hope this can help by just cleansing and not by gallbladder removal
Chun Siong Tan says
Hi Dina-Marie,
Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe. Yes, it worked for me on my second cleanse. I have seen 4 gallstone after second cleanse. I am really glad that saw this article.
I did my first cleanse using mix of fresh green apple and red apple juice. On the sixth day, I use fresh lemon juice with extra virgin olive oil. Unfortunately it failed. I stopped for 2 days then start the second cleanse. The only different is I only use fresh green apple juice and it worked. I managed to get out 4 gallstone and they are in green color. My gallstone was 0.7 cm in size when I first seen in ultrasound.
I will do another ultrasound few days later, for now I no longer have any pain. Good luck to all.
Sonny says
Hi Chun Siong,
Thanks for your sharing. Whats the finding from the US scan?
Thank you
Annie says
HI Dina, I am about to try the cleansing and also afraid as I am pregnant. I just wanna ask if it’s safe to do and do you move your bowel as normal while doing the cleansing as you know constipation is common while pregnant. Can I drink prune juice to ensure I move before the day 6? Thank you.
Dina-Marie says
Annie, I cannot give medical advice but can say that I did my first cleanse while pregnant. If you are having a lot of constipation, I would try adding more fruit and fiber to your diet and consult with your doctor if it persists.