The most common problem associated with the gallbladder is gallstones, most of which are made up of cholesterol. Some gallstones are made up of calcium and bile pigments. Although gallstones are often associated with a higher-than-normal level of cholesterol in the bile, a constant swap between going on a diet and weight gain also leads to this condition in a majority of cases.
Estrogen levels have also been suggested as a cause, because of which women get gallstones four times as frequently as men. Women over 40, who are fair skinned and overweight, are more prone to gallstones.
Self-Help Guidelines & Ayurvedic Remedies
• Identify and avoid food allergies, especially eggs and /or milk products. Quit smoking and do exercise and yoga regularly.
• If you are overweight, lose weight slowly and sensibly. Eat less. Overeating puts stress on the gallbladder.
• Constipation has also been linked to the formation of gallstones.
• Drink 8-10 glasses of water in a day to maintain the water content of bile.
• Coffee increases the bile flow and, therefore, may reduce the risk of gallstones. However, as coffee can exacerbate symptoms of insomnia, peptic ulcer, panic attacks and a variety of other conditions, it is advisable^ to consult a physician beforehand.
• Vitamin C is needed to convert cholesterol to bile acids. In theory, such a conversion should reduce gallstone risks. So, consume Vitamin C rich fruits such as aamla and citrus fruits.
• Numerous herbs known as cholagogues and choleretics have been found useful in preventing gallstones in traditional ayurvedic medicine. Cholagogues are herbs that stimulate the gallbladder to contract, while choleretics stimulate the liver to secrete more bile. Both these actions could help reduce the risk of developing gallstones. Turmeric, citrus fruits, dried ginger, black pepper, long pepper, hing, etc., fall under these categories. Mineral compounds like Saindhava lavanam and Yavakshaar also serve a similar purpose.
• Before breakfast, on an empty stomach, take a tsp of Saindhava lavanam or ordinary table salt in a glass of hot water. After drinking this, lie down for about 45 minutes on your right side. Do this once or twice a week.
• Apply castor oil pack over the gallbladder area. Take a cup of castor oil, and soak a flannel cloth in it. Place the saturated cloth over the gallbladder area, and cover with plastic. Over the plastic, apply a heating pad, and leave it on for half an hour. Initially do this once a day, every day for a month. Continue the treatment thrice a week, increasing use of the packs during an acute condition.
• Apatarpana (fasting), langhana (light diet) and virechana (mild purgation) are some of the therapeutic procedures that are usually advised as a part of the treatment for gallstones.
• Specific Ayurvedic remedies such as Shankavati, Sootasekar ras, Pravaalpanchaamrit, Hingwaashtak choorna, Avipattikar choorna, etc., are generally prescribed to treat this condition. The duration of the treatment and dosage of these medicines depends on the severity of the condition.