Gallstones are the hallmark of gallbladder disease and cause painful attacks in the abdomen, especially after eating fatty foods. Standard medical care often involves gallbladder removal when too many stones form or when symptoms become too difficult to bare. The alternative medical community contends that your gallbladder can be cleaned with natural remedies, such as chicory root, that stimulate bile production from your liver and help dissolve or excrete the gallstones. Consult with your doctor before taking chicory products because they can aggravate gallbladder symptoms.
Gallstones
Your gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ below your liver. Your gallbladder stores and helps concentrate bile produced by your liver. Bile is secreted from your gallbladder when you eat because it is needed to properly digest fats into usable fatty acids. Sometimes the bile becomes more concentrated than it should and the cholesterol and other compounds in it solidify into small precipitates or stones. These gallstones can become lodged in the ducts leading to your small intestine and block the bile from entering, which causes swelling and stabbing abdominal pain. Other symptoms often include nausea, vomiting, bloating and diarrhea.
Chicory Root
Common chicory, or Cichorium intybus, is a perennial plant native to Europe, although it is widely cultivated in North America, India and Australia. The leaves of the chicory plant are often used in salads and its roots are used medicinally and as a coffee substitute. According to Michael Howard, author of "Traditional Folk Remedies," chicory root and leaves were commonly used in Europe, especially Germany, as a folk remedy and tonic to treat gallstones, stomach upset, sinus problems and minor cuts.
Chicory Root Properties
Chicory root is rich source of inulin, a compound similar to starch that is used as a sweetener and may help people with weight loss and constipation, according to "Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism." Chicory root also contains sucrose, protein, ash, beta-carotene, various minerals and volatile oils, which are toxic to intestinal worms and parasites. It also displays mild laxative and anti-inflammatory properties. The alternative health community considers chicory root a liver and gallbladder tonic because it is classified as a "cholagogue," which is a compound that promotes the production of bile in the liver and stimulates its flow from the gallbladder and bile ducts, as noted in the "Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine." The effects of chicory root on the gallbladder have not been investigated in human studies.
Cautions
Stimulating bile production and excretion from the gallbladder might theoretically help prevent the formation of gallstones, but if your gallbladder is already filled with stones then the consumption of chicory root may compound the problem and precipitate an attack. If you have gallbladder attacks, consult with your doctor, who might take an x-ray or ultrasound of your gallbladder to look for stones. Ask your doctor how best to deal with gallstones if any are found.
References
- "Traditional Folk Remedies"; Michael Howard; 1987
- "Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism"; Sareen Gropper et al; 2009
- "Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine"; M. Murray and J. Pizzorno; 2008
