If you’ve been told you have gallstones, it might be possible to remove them naturally – and fast!
First, you need to understand there are two different types of gallstones; those that form from cholesterol and those made from excess bilirubin (called pigment gallstones). When you know what kind of gallstones you have, you will also know how best to remove them.
While surgery is a treatment option for this condition, it’s not always necessary. Sometimes you can remove your gallstones yourself from home, without needing to have surgery. There are some natural remedies that help you break down stones so that they can be passed naturally through your body.
Then, you can learn about a gallbladder-healthy diet to help you prevent developing more stones in the future.
Always Seek Medical Advice
If you believe you may have gallstones, you should always see your doctor first. Don’t try any home remedies for stones without speaking to a medical professional and making sure it’s safe. You want to be sure you have the right diagnosis, that you don’t have an infection that requires medical intervention, and that you are fully aware of all your treatment options before you try any at-home remedies.
The options for treating gallstones that we are going to mention here are not safe for everybody and it’s important you know the risks going into it, and that you are healthy enough to perform this activity. Any cleanses or other methods you try are done at your own risk. We will try to give you as much information as we can, but this should not substitute medical advice from a professional.
Here we go:
1. Drink More Juice
One method some people swear by when it comes to cleansing the gallbladder is to drink more juice. Apple juice seems to be the preferred choice for gallbladder cleanses. Some people believe that apple juice helps you pass the stones naturally. However, keep in mind that drinking a lot of juice is not good for you, especially if you have hypoglycemia, diabetes, or stomach ulcers.
2. Do a Gallbladder Cleanse
One piece of advice you may hear to help you get rid of stones quickly is a gallbladder cleanse. A cleanse can work because of the reasons that stones form in the first place.
Usually, stones happen because:
- Your liver makes more bile than it can dissolve
- The gallbladder doesn’t empty as frequently or fully as it should
- Your body has excess bilirubin that cannot be dissolved
For these reasons, a cleanse can flush the gallbladder of the excess it was not able to cleanse out on its own. It can also help break up existing gallstones so they can be passed naturally.
Although the body contains the ability to cleanse and flush itself, some people believe drinking a homemade cleanse can help the process. A popular formula for a cleanse is the combo of olive oil, juice, and certain herbs. You can do this for two or more days and you need to fast from other foods or drinks while consuming the oil mixture.
*Note: This mixture can be dangerous for people with low blood sugar or diabetes.
3. Milk Thistle
Milk thistle is believed to help with liver and gallbladder disorders. Although there are no scientific studies that explore this specifically, many people have used it as a supplement to stimulate health in these organs.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is another method people use to “cleanse” their gallbladder and help prevent stones from building up. It has also been shown to have positive effects on blood sugar, although there have been no scientific studies that prove it helps the gallbladder.
5. Yoga
Some people believe that yoga can help you pass stones naturally. If you’ve never done yoga before, it’s not likely one session is going to help you remove gallstones naturally in 24 hours. However, if you do yoga regularly, it has many health benefits overall, which could also lead to healthier organs, the gallbladder included.
6. Acupuncture
Much like yoga, this practice is believed to help improve health. While it has been used to help reduce the pain associated with gallstones, there is no scientific evidence that it will help you pass stones, especially in under 24 hours. That said, acupuncture is relatively safe when performed by a licensed acupuncturist so there is little risk involved with giving it a try.
Other Treatments to Remove These Stones
Other methods of removing gallstones include medications (bile acids) and surgery. It can take up to two years for bile acids to treat stones and they can reform as soon as you stop taking the medicine. So, this is not a treatment that will happen in 24 hours.
Surgery is often recommended as a treatment for stones. A cholecystectomy is the removal of the entire gallbladder so stones can not form. You don’t need this organ to survive, so if you have gallbladder problems and the surgery is performed, your body can adjust to not having one. This surgery is the only guaranteed way to get rid of your gallstones in 24 hours.