The gallbladder acts as a bile reservoir and concentrates bile, which is secreted by the liver and is used by the body to digest fats. Bile contains cholesterol, bile salts, lecithin and more. It works much in the same way as detergent in the dish water works to clean oil from dishes and cooking pans.

Traditional Chinese medicine teaches that gallstones are formed due to over working/exercises, stress, emotional stress, worry, unbalance diet, hot-humid weather, or unbalanced spleen. Gallstones are formed in the gallbladder when cholesterol crystallizes and combines with bile. Of themselves, gallstones usually have no symptoms, but when the gallbladder becomes inflamed, or a stone blocks the bile passage, nausea, vomiting, and pain in the upper right abdominal region occur.

Western medicine generally uses surgical removal of the gallbladder for gallstones. Traditional Chinese medicine can be one of the alternative medicines to treat gallstones. In China, research has shown that activation of certain acupoints speed up the expansion and contraction of the gallbladder, which can improve the blood circulation to fragment or dissolve the gallstones and also can push the gallstones out. Gallstone can be rock type or sand type. The sand type gallstones can be pushed out easier and faster than the rock type gallstones. Experience has shown that acupuncture can effectively stop the pain, nausea and vomiting of a gallbladder attack.

Surgery may be needed in the following situations 1) If gallstones slip into a bile duct (one of the structures that drain the gallbladder and the liver); if the gallstone is the rock type and over sized. If you can avoid surgery safely, it is probably best. Patients who have had their gallbladder removed often suffer from food allergies, indigestion, weight gain and diarrhea.

Prevention is an important part of traditional Chinese medicine. I suggest eating more vegetables than meats. Drink green tea, coffee, or Chinese herbal tea after eating fatty, rich or fried foods. Eat seasonal foods. Take your time and as much as possible chew your food thoroughly. Avoid talking, watching TV, or working on the computer while eating. Laugh loud and often. Get proper exercise under professional supervision. And get plenty of rest. Have acupuncture treatments regularly to maintain your body’s balance and for stress relief. It is most important to get acupuncture treatments when there are weather or seasonal changes.

In non emergency situations and before resorting to surgery, the following cleanse may be used. Take three tablespoons of olive oil with lemon/ grapefruit juice before bed and upon awakening for five days.

The gallbladder is an amazingly resilient and necessary organ. Keep it healthy and it will keep your digestion healthy too.

Contact Li Hua L.Ac. TCMD at Atlanta Acupuncture Center or 404-250-9903 or e-mail lihua@aac2000.com or surf her web site at www.aac2000.com