Orange oil contains D-limonene, a component found in other citrus fruits such as limes and grapefruit. Orange oil provides a little-studied, alternative treatment for gallstones. Gallstones are a symptom of gallbladder disease, which may also involve painful inflammation of your gallbladder. Talk to your doctor before trying orange oil or any home remedy to treat gallstones.
Orange Oil and D-Limonene
The D-limonene present in orange oil may have the power to dissolve gallstones in the gallbladder, according to an “Alternative Medicine” article written by J. Sun and published in September 2007. According to Sun, the D-limonene in orange oil has been used clinically to dissolve gallstones because D-limonene is chemically able to dissolve cholesterol, found in gallstones. Sun's article does not provide much evidence to support his theory. Gallstones become dangerous when they block the duct leading from your gallbladder. If gallstones can't be dissolved, your gallbladder may need to be surgically removed.
Orange Juice and Olive Oil
Another home remedy for gallstones includes orange juice and olive oil. This treatment is known as a gallbladder cleanse. Orange juice is combined with olive oil and some herbs and then consumed with the hope that this liquid remedy with break up gallstones blocking your gallbladder duct. A gallbladder cleanse may cause diarrhea and nausea, but reliable evidence doesn't support its use for treating gallstones, according to Dr. Michael Picco, a gastroenterologist at the Mayo Clinic.
Typical Treatment Options
If you have gallstones that are small – no more than 15 mm in diameter – the drug ursodeoxycholic acid may be able to dissolve them. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, however, this drug is only successful at dissolving gallstones in approximately 40 percent of cases. Another treatment option to break up gallstones is shock wave therapy, known medically as lithotripsy. Your doctor may also try to break up your gallstones by infusing the drugs monooctanoin or tert-butyl ether directly into your gallbladder.
Considerations
Even if you take medication, gallstones may take years to fully dissolve. Orange oil, if it works, may take as long to provide relief. Gallstones can also dissolve and then come back. If gallstones are obstructing the duct that leads from your gallbladder, you may require surgery to correct the life-threatening condition. Surgery typically involves removal of your gallbladder. You can live comfortably without a gallbladder, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
References
- Alternative Medicine Review; D-Limonene: Safety and Clinical Applications; J. Sun; September 2007
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Gallbladder Disease; February 2010
- Florida Chemical Company: What is D-Limonene?
- Mayo Clinic: Gallbladder Cleanse: A 'Natural' Remedy for Gallstones?; Michael F. Picco; February 2010
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