Have been feeling odd sensations on right side for last few weeks (since horrific reaction to Alinia).
Stools have been yellow, bilirubin is elevated. Discomfort on right/liver side has increased a bit. Went to my regular local doc. Said I have a little bile in my urine and need to go for ultrasound tomorrow morning.
Have been taking milk thistle. And been putting castor oil on at night.
Anyone know ratio of olive oil/lemon juice for gently flushing gallbladder. I don't want to do anything harsh, just gentle.
Please send good wishes my way.
Many thanks.
Posted by chastain (Member # 34236) on :
praying for you! good luck...love jess
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- I don't think the popular olive oil and lemon juice "flush" is a good idea, for a couple of reasons.
I know I'm the only one here who thinks that but I've asked many naturopathic doctors about that over the years and the discussions have helped form my opinion on that.
I found something much better: Rhubarb, in a combination formula. Rhubarb - and also the herb,
CAUTION: If an emergency, never rely on herbs, seek immediate medical care.
My links and thoughts are geared more for support measures.
You might seek out a naturopathic doctor who can best guide you if the gallbladder is a chronic problem.
BTW, Milk Thistle can be too strong for some people or at some times. There are other liver support herbs that you might consider rotating.
Bupleurum is one of those, usually in a formula. -
[ 12-20-2011, 05:04 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
The thin roots of bupleurum are one of the most frequently used herbs in the Japanese practice of Oriental medicine.
Doctors in Japan have found it useful in the treatment of liver diseases, skin ailments, arthritis, menopausal syndrome, withdrawal from corticosteroid use, nephritis, stress-induced ulcers, and mental disorders.
The roots are rich in saponins that reduce inflammation and regulate hormone levels.
The herb is not used by itself, but rather in formulas with about four to twelve ingredients, made as teas, pills, or tablets.
Dosage ranges from a few hundred milligrams of powder to about 15 grams in tea per day. Caution: some individuals may experience dizziness or headaches from use of bupleurum. . . .
RHUBARB (dahuang)
This large root was one of the first herbs that the Western world imported from China.
It serves as a very reliable laxative, and also has other benefits: enhancing appetite when taken before meals in small amounts, promoting blood circulation and relieving pain in cases of injury or inflammation, and inhibiting intestinal infections.
Rhubarb also reduces autoimmune reactions.
The impact of rhubarb is influenced by how it is prepared; if it is cooked for a long period of time, the laxative actions are reduced but other actions are retained. Typical dosage is 0.5-3 grams per day.
Caution: rhubarb, alone or in formulas, should not be used by those with irritable bowel conditions, as it may cause cramping and diarrhea. . . .
. . . As all first-year chemistry students learn, when you combine a fat with an akalai, the fat turns into soap - a classic saponification reaction.
The "broken up gallstones" in the feces are actually chips of olive oil soap, created in the intestine by the action of the alkaline secretions of the pancreas upon fat (the olive oil).
To those unaware of the underlying chemistry, the appearance can look like a spectacular "cure," when it is merely an illusion . . .
. . . I believe that the "gallbladder flush" is without benefit to health. The element of risk - and even danger - enters when there are actual gallstones in the gallbladder.
The gallbladder is a small sac on the undersurface of the liver, just below the lower front margin of the right rib cage.
The gallbladder stores bile between meals and contracts in response to the presence of fat in our food as it leaves the stomach on its journey of digestion down the small intestine.
Swallowing several ounces of pure olive oil at one sitting makes for a very large, fatty meal - and such a great load of fat could potentially trigger a sustained, severe contraction of the gallbladder.
If there are actual stones contained inside the gallbladder, such a forceful contraction could result in an excruciating bout of right upper quadrant abdominal pain for the owner of the gallbladder -
- and a possible unplanned trip to the operating room for an emergency cholecystectomy (removal of the gallbladder). . . .
-(full article at link above)
(from Michael Klaper, MD, who has contributed to the making of two PBS television productions, "Food for Thought," and the award winning, "Diet for a New America." Dr. Klaper also hosts the popular radio program "Sounds of Healing.� ) -
Posted by bearlythere (Member # 31973) on :
I am praying for God to comfort you through this difficult time.
Please keep us posted.
Posted by lyme in Putnam (Member # 11561) on :
Good luck, good thoughts.
Posted by Tammy N. (Member # 26835) on :
Friends, thank you for your good thoughts.
Keebler, thanks for the great info and links. I will continue reading. (Rhubarb sounds amazing!)
I must say.... I have an amazing acupuncturist. I went to see her yesterday with this discomfort. She picked up that it was the gallbladder (and also said my spleen was very week, no pulse on right side). I was telling her I had discomfort on a section of my bottom right foot.... she said that area was liver/gallbladder. When she began inserting needles, some were more bothersome than others. Then when she put one into the side of my left calf, it was like Yowza! holy cow! I asked what point that needle was for, she said gallbladder channel. I am always amazed at this awesome practice. I love Chinese medicine. I'm grateful to have found such a wonderful, gifted practitioner.
Wondering if coffee enemas would be a good idea. Thoughts?
Posted by GiGi (Member # 259) on :
Thinking of you -- and also do call your doctor(s) for advice. If you google "mercola gallbladder", you will find a lot of comments on the subject.
Take care.
Posted by Hambone (Member # 29535) on :
Good Luck!! Let us know how it goes.
Posted by Garden (Member # 31671) on :