Like all other organs, the gallbladder also helps detoxify the body and manage important substances. The liver synthesizes bile juices, which the gallbladder stores and uses in the small intestine for the digestive process. In Ayurveda, gallstones are known as “Pittashmari,” and this comes under gastroenterology. In this blog, we will deeply discuss the impact of Ayurveda on gallstones, including causes, symptoms, ayurvedic herbs, and detoxification techniques.
Gallstones are the hardest particles made up of high cholesterol in the bile, or due to a high amount of bilirubin present in the bile. These stones can be of any size, causing many problems, such as abdominal pain and vomiting. In Ayurveda, there are multiple texts written, such as the Sushruta Samhita, in which you find multiple natural remedies to treat gallstones and address the problem naturally. The two categories of these herbs are choleretics and cholagogues. Choleretics are used to prevent cholesterol accumulation, and cholagogues are used to release excess bile into the intestine.
What are the Causes of Gallstones?
Here are some causes of gallstones:
- High Cholesterol in Bile: High cholesterol levels present in bile cause gallstone formation, which finally results in the formation of stones in the gallbladder.
- Excess Bilirubin: The excess presence of bilirubin in the bile results in stone formation in the gallbladder.
- Fasting: Overfasting can cause bile to be idle in the gallbladder, resulting in crystal formation.
- Thick Bile: The changes in stone formation increase with an increase in the thickness of bile in the gallbladder.
- Imbalanced Weight: This problem can also lead to stone formation in the gallbladder due to imbalanced weight, resulting in a failure of gallbladder function.
What are the Symptoms of Gallstones?
- Abdominal Pain
- Dark Urine
- Diarrhea
- Jaundice
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Heartburns
- Gas
Traditional Treatment vs. Alternative Approaches for Gallstones
Below are some points which show the traditional treatment vs Alternative Approaches for gallstones:
Traditional Treatment for Gallstones
- Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: It is a minimally invasive technique. It is a standard treatment for gallstones and gallbladder polyps.
- Open Cholecystectomy: It is a fully surgical method to treat the gallstone problem.
Alternative Approaches for Gallstones
- Oral Dissolution Therapy: It is a treatment in which oral biles are used to break down gallstones.
- Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography: It is a procedure in which gallstones are diagnosed by the combination of X-rays and endoscopy.
- Shock Wave Therapy: It is a non-invasive process in which targeted shock waves are given to break gallstones.
- Herbal and Ayurvedic Remedies: These are natural sources from which gallstones are treated.
Impact of Ayurveda on Gallstones: Natural Herbs
Here are some ayurvedic or natural herbs mentioned below:
- Ginger: This is a choleretic herb used to boost the gallbladder function and reduce vomiting.
- Turmeric: This is another choleretic herb used to protect the gallbladder from being damaged. This herb is also used to increase bile formation and reduce the formation of cholesterol stones in the bladder.
- Garlic: It is a cholagogue herb used to aid in digestion and help in detoxification.
- Amla: With its antibacterial properties, amla heals the liver and gallbladder. It also reduces inflammation and gallstones by breaking or dissolving them.
- Manjistha: This is another herb used for blood purification and regulates the pitta dosha.
- Aloe Vera: Regular consumption of aloe vera juice can help dissolve gallstones and reduce pitta dosha.
Ayurvedic Detoxification Techniques for Gallstones
Here are some ayurvedic or natural detoxification techniques mentioned below:
- Panchakarma: As the name suggests, panch means “five” and karma means “actions”. There are five actions in this process, which are vamana, basti, nasya, virechana, and raktamokshana. These actions are used to remove toxins, balance gallbladder function, and remove gallstones.
- Liver Flush: It is used to flush out all the toxins and stones from the gallbladder. In this process, a person drinks a mixture of spices, oil, and lemon juice on an empty stomach.
Diet and Lifestyle Changes in Ayurveda for Gallstones
Here are some diet and lifestyle changes in Ayurveda for gallstones:
Diet
Best diet for preventing gallstones:
- Fruits: Adding fruits to your diet is the best option for reducing gallstone formation and improving gallbladder health. These fruits are rich in Vitamin C and fiber, which help in digestion.
- Whole Grains: It is the best diet for preventing gallstones in the bladder. This diet is rich in fiber, which improves digestion in the body.
- Vegetables: Veggies like turnips and carrots are the best sources of nutrients, which help boost gallbladder health.
- Pulses: Adding pulses like beans and chickpeas to your diet is best for bladder health because they are a high source of protein.
- Low-fat Products: It is best to consume low-fat dairy products for healthy bladder functioning. Products like yogurt, milk, and curd are best for gallbladder health.
- Herbs and Spices: Both are best consumed not only for taste but also because they contain some anti-inflammatory properties.
Lifestyle Changes for Preventing Gallstones
Best lifestyle tricks to follow for preventing gallstones:
- Drinking Water: It is very important to drink 3 liters of water on a daily basis for a healthy liver and gallbladder. Water helps in removing toxins and stones from the body.
- Regular Meals: A three-time healthy meal is very important for the proper functioning of the gallbladder.
- Eating Light Foods: It is best to eat light food because it is digested faster than heavy food, and reduces the chances of gallstones.
- Avoid Foods that Form Stones: Foods that contain high cholesterol, fats, and refined carbohydrates are best to avoid for better liver and bladder functioning.
- Daily Workout: Daily exercises help in improving and boosting bladder and liver health. It also improves the blood circulation in the body. Many yoga positions help in improving liver and bladder functioning.
Conclusion
We discovered all essential information regarding the impact of Ayurveda on gallstones. Ayurveda plays a crucial role in curing the gallstone problem. There are multiple medicines, herbs, and techniques available in Ayurveda that prevent the formation of stones in the bladder.