The gall bladder stores bile secreted by the liver. Bile assists in digestion and absorption of fats, fat soluble vitamins, minerals and calcium. As bile accumulates in the gallbladder, it coagulates and slowly forms gallstones. You experience pain when the gallbladder attempts to push large gallstones through the bile duct. The benefits of cayenne and garlic for gallstones are pain relief, increase of circulation, stimulation of the liver and reduction of stones.
Types
There are two types of gallstones. Cholesterol stones, yellow green in color, are formed when the gallbladder fails to fully contract and bile starts to accumulate. They are the most common form of stone. A study on mice conducted by the Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, Central Food Technological Research Institute (CSIR) in India found that dietary garlic and onion reduce the incidence of atherogenic diet-induced cholesterol gallstones.
The second type of gallstone, pigment stones, are small dark stones made of bilirubin. You get them from cirrhosis of the liver, inherited blood conditions and biliary tract infections. It is not unusual to find both kinds of stones in your gallbladder.
Additional Causes
Hormonal imbalance increases cholesterol in bile. Cayenne and garlic help reduce excess cholesterol in the bloodstream and the liver, and subsequently in bile. Additional factors that may contribute to gallstone formation include obesity, a diet high in fat and cholesterol and low in fiber, diabetes, your genes, and cholesterol lowering drugs. Cholesterol lowering drugs increase cholesterol in bile.
Symptoms
You may have silent stones, meaning you don't have any symptoms or require medical attention. However, for those who do experience symptoms you may feel increased pressure in the bladder or have attacks with pain in the right upper abdomen, between the shoulder blades and/or in the right shoulder. Common extreme symptoms include nausea, vomiting, yellowish skin color and clay-colored stool. These conditions require immediate medical attention.
Herbal Remedies
Divine Remedies suggest a herbal liver flush for gallstones. They recommend using it under the direction of your physician. Combine 8 ounces olive oil, 4 ounces lemon juice, a chopped fresh garlic clove, and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Drink this entire mixture in the early morning (about 6 a.m.) on an empty stomach. Don't eat anything until at least noon. If you feel thirsty, drink hot water or a little lime juice. The treatment is a shock to the gallbladder, which contracts and squeezes the gallstone(s) out into the duodenum. The same night, take 1/2 teaspoon of triphala with warm water. The next day you will pass some green matter in the stools. This is thick, coagulated bile containing the gallstone crystals.
Warning
Do not use a herbal liver flush if you are having an attack or in severe pain. If not treated, gallstones can cause inflammation of your pancreas, liver and gallbladder.
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Writer Bio
Penny Lewis is a retired project manager with a writing career that began in 1990. Her writing portfolio includes articles on eHow.com and Answerbag.com, in addition to a career guide published on the Project Management Educational Foundation's website. Lewis has a Master of Science in management from Thomas Edison State College.