1. Eat Less Fat and Cholesterol
Making some adjustments to your diet can treat your gallstone symptoms naturally and reduce the risk of future recurrences. Consume less fat and cholesterol and cut processed foods out of your diet. Eat fresh foods, including fruits and vegetables, legumes and lean meats. Choose fruits that are high in fiber, such as strawberries, figs and oranges. Keep a food journal to see whether there are foods that make you feel worse and then avoid them.
2. Use Herbs to Dissolve the Stones
You may be able to use herbal remedies to dissolve your gallstones. Milk thistle, dandelion root, globe artichoke and turmeric may reduce the cholesterol in your bile. These substances are available in many natural food stores and can be brewed into a tea. Use the herbs singly or in any combination, using 1 tsp. of herb for each cup of hot water. Brew the tea for 5 to 10 minutes if you are using leaves and up to 20 minutes if you are using the roots. Peppermint oil has also been studied as an alternative treatment for gallstones, and it may dissolve stones over time for some people. Peppermint oil capsules are also available at health food stores.
3. Alternative Medicine Provides Pain Relief
You can also turn to natural and homeopathic medicine to relieve pain associated with gallstones. Colocynthis (bitter cucumber) and Chelidonium are commonly used as pain relievers. You can buy them in pellets and take three to five pellets when you feel the onset of symptoms. The traditional Chinese medicine of acupuncture may also help gallbladder pain. Though acupuncture cannot dissolve the stones, the process of adjusting the body's qi (energy) acts as an anti-inflammatory and can take the edge off your pain.
