The Healing Power of Ginger

Certain smells create feelings of well-being and invoke happy memories. Ginger spice does that for me. Ginger is a happy, warming herb that stirs up memories of family holidays, gingerbread cookies, and pumpkin pies. Ginger is an ancient spice used worldwide in cooking and is also well-known for various health benefits.

Ginger is known to: boost bone health, eliminates arthritis symptoms, strengthen the immune system, prevent various types of cancer, improve respiratory conditions, help with flu symptoms, increase appetite, aid digestion, nausea, reduce excess gas, enhance sexual activity, and relieve menstrual pain.

Although ginger, Zingiber Officinale, is inaccurately referred to as “ginger root”, it is actually the stem, rhizome that is used. In Western cultures, ginger is typically used in sweets and alcoholic beverages such as ginger beer and ginger wine. While, in Asian cultures, ginger powder is used directly in traditional cuisine, or in coffee and tea.

Ginger is known as an essential oil, a spice, and is one of the oldest herbal. Ginger has been used in China for over 2,000 years for treating inflammation and diarrhea.  Cultivation may have begun in southern Asia then spread to East Africa and the Caribbean. Ginger is a perennial plant that grows bright red flowers that are often used in the South Pacific for seasonal festivals, decorating stalls, houses, and clothing.

The Armenian monk Gregory of Nicopolis brought gingerbread to Europe, in 992. German immigrants brought gingerbread to Sweden during the 13th century. Early reference logs from Vadstena Abbey record that Swedish nuns were baking gingerbread to ease indigestion in 1444.

In Medieval England gingerbread was thought to have medicinal properties. Gingerbread became widely available in the 18th century. Queen Elizabeth I of England created the idea of the gingerbread man in the 16^th century.  The first gingerbread man was revealed at a Royal ball where several were made to resemble respected guests.

Gingerbread Men Cookies Recipe

Original recipe makes 2 dozen cookies


3 cups flour


2 teaspoons McCormick® Ginger, Ground


1 teaspoon McCormick® Cinnamon, Ground


1 teaspoon baking soda


1/4 teaspoon McCormick® Nutmeg, Ground


1/4 teaspoon salt


3/4 cup butter, softened


3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar


1/2 cup molasses


1 egg

 1 teaspoon McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract

Directions

Mix flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg and salt in large bowl. Set aside. Beat butter and brown sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add molasses, egg and vanilla; mix well. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until well mixed. Press dough into a thick flat disk. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness on lightly floured work surface. Cut into gingerbread men shapes with 5-inch cookie cutter. Place 1 inch apart on increased baking sheets.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges of cookies are set and just begin to brown. Cool on baking sheets 1 to 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks; cool completely. Decorate cooled cookies as desired. Store cookies in airtight container up to 5 days.

Benefits of Ginger

Ginger contains enzymes that destroys parasites and their eggs, and is associated with anti-inflammatory activity.  There are over 400 active ingredients in ginger, which includes ascorbic acid, caffeic acid, capsaicin, beta-sitosterol, beta-carotene, curcumin, lecithin, limonene, selenium and tryptophan. The synergy of these ingredients contributes to the therapeutic power and versatility of ginger. 

Bone Health: A University of Miami study, conducted with several hundred patients from different backgrounds and ages, demonstrated improvement in osteoarthritis.

‪ Ovarian Cancer Treatment:
A University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center found ginger to be a powerful weapon in the treatment of ovarian cancer. Ginger powder induced cell death in all of the ovarian cancer cells to which it was applied.

Colon Cancer Prevention:
A University of Minnesota study found ginger may slow the growth of colorectal cancer cells.

Diabetic Nephropathy (kidney damage) Prevention:
A study of diabetic rats demonstrated that rats given ginger demonstrated a reduced incidence of diabetic kidney damage.

Morning Sickness:
A review of several studies has concluded that ginger is just as effective as vitamin B6 in the treatment of morning sickness.

Motion Sickness Remedy: Studies demonstrated ginger is an effective remedy for nausea associated with motion sickness.

Reduces Pain and Inflammation: 
The anti-inflammatory and powerful natural painkiller properties of ginger are demonstrated in several studies.

Heartburn Relief:
Ginger tea has long been used as a natural heartburn remedy.

Migraine Relief:
Migraine research demonstrates that the properties of ginger have the ability to stop prostaglandins which cause pain and inflammation in blood vessels.

Cold and Flu Prevention and Treatment: Ginger has long been used as a natural treatment for colds, flu, and food poisoning.

Menstrual Cramp Relief:
Ginger tea with brown sugar has long been used in Chinese medicine as a treatment for menstrual cramps.

Adding turmeric to ginger tea is a healthy, easy tea you can make at home. You will benefit from the healing benefits of both herbs. Ginger is anti-inflammatory and anti-viral and is known as a nausea treatment. Turmeric has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-viral properties. This combination tea is very effective for food poisoning or a stomach virus.

Ginger and Turmeric Tea Recipe

Ingredients


4 cups water


1/2 tablespoon ground ginger

1/2 tablespoon ground turmeric
 


lemon (optional)
honey (optional)

Directions


Bring water to a boil. Reduce heat and add turmeric and ginger. Simmer for 10 minutes.

Strain into a mug using a mesh strainer or cheesecloth.

Add honey and/or lemon to taste.

Cooking with Ginger

Many of us have dried ginger in our pantry but to take full advantage of the healing properties of ginger try cooking with fresh ginger root. First remove the skin from the rhizome using a paring knife or scrape off the skin to preserve more of the flesh. Try blending fresh ginger root into fruit smoothies or vegetable combinations. Add freshly minced ginger as a finishing touch to sautéed and stir-fried dishes, or for a subtle flavor, add ginger at the beginning of cooking.

An easy recipe for fresh, clean ginger tea is to simmering a 1-inch piece of fresh ginger rhizome in 2 cups of water for 10 to 20 minutes. Strain and stir in fresh lemon juice and sweetener if desired.

http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/10-health-benefits-of-ginger.html

www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/ginger-root

http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/health-benefits-fresh-ginger-root-stomach-8667.html

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Gingerbread-Men-Cookies/

‪en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gingerbread‬

Make Your Own Bath Salts: Happy Soaking

Turning bath time into spa time can be as easy as tossing a handful of salt and a handful of baking soda into a nice warm (hot) tub of water. Homemade bath salts are a perfect gift for the ones we love, or a perfect self-indulgence after a stressful day.

If you are like me you need a good reason to be self-indulgent. After spending the day in front of a computer, take a salt and baking soda bath for a calming, radiation detox.

I wrote an article on essential oils and their therapeutic qualities previously. If you intend to use essential oils in your bath salts creation, I recommend you review the article on essential oils.

How to create bath salts

1.     Start with a clutter free, clean work surface---a kitchen table covered with a plastic garbage bag works perfectly.

2.     Measure out sea salts, or Epsom salt, and pour into a large mixing bowl.

3.     Add essential or fragrance oil, colorant (optional), and mix the salts thoroughly with your hands. Use disposable gloves to protect your hands while blending. If your hands get too salted they may become very dry and irritated.

4.     Dendritic salt is a man-made salt, which absorbs carrier oils, essential oil, and colorant easily can be added to natural sea salt.  Mix Dendritic salt and sea salt completely. It takes some time for the scent and colorant to incorporate with the salts so be patient (see colorants below.)

5.     When the salts have been coated pour them out onto a wax paper lined baking sheet. Spread the salts out in a thin a layer as possible for a quicker drying time. Drying bath salts at least six hours before placing in a bottle to lessen the chance of clumping in the jar.

6.     Place dried salts into a glass jar with a tight closure. Seal scented bath salts as tightly as possible avoiding excessive air exposure, which may cause clumping from humid air, or premature scent fading.

7.     Let the sealed bath salts jar “age” or “ripen” for a few days. Stir, shake or mix every day, however a bath salt gift is likely sit a few days before it is used, which will allow the scent to blend well by the time it is used.

8.     Be sure to label the jars with a description of the salts, essential oils, and basic soaking instructions.

9.     Avoid using disposable plastic bags, which are made from a quickly deteriorating plastic and are easily broken down by the essential oils in the salt blend.

10.  Dendritic salt holds the scent last longer and effectively retains the original scents. This allows you to use less essential oil.

11.  Herbs are popular additions to bath salt recipes but can be messy in the tub so a good idea to include an organza bag with your bath salts to contain dried herbs. The salts melt and the herbs seep in the hot bath water. After the bag dries empty out the herbs and re-use the bag.

Essential Vocabulary

Aromatherapy--The practice of careful use of essential oils to maintain and promote physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being. Aromatherapy is a preventative approach as well as an active therapy for illness.

Essential Oils are highly concentrated plant extracts distilled from plant material including leaves, flowers, needles, fruit peels, grasses, wood and roots. These oils should always be diluted in carrier oil before applying directly to the skin. However, lavender and tea tree oil can be used neat (undiluted in a carrier oil).

Dried Herbs tend to possess the same scent and therapeutic properties of their essential oil.

Carrier Oils are natural oils that are used to dilute and "carry" essential oils so they can be used on the skin. Carrier vegetable oils or fixed oils do not evaporate like some essential oils. Moisturizing oils, such as almond, olive, are commonly used as a "carrier" oils. Most essential oils should be diluted by the ratio of 12-30 drops to 1 ounce of carrier oil. Carrier oils can also be combined with sea salts to create exfoliant salt scrubs.

Sodium Bicarbonate (baking soda) combined with equal parts sea salt assists detoxification from exposure to heavy metals and radiation.

Citric Acid is a colorless translucent crystalline acid derived by the fermentation of carbohydrates or from lemon, lime, and pineapple juices. Citric acid and baking soda create a fizzy, effervescent blend that helps to release the aroma of the essential oils into the air.

Colorants.

FD&C Liquid Dyes are available as water-based dye, which can be added one drop at a time, or mixed to create unique shades of color. FD&C Liquid Dyes tend to retain much of their translucent appearance. These dyes can bleed into one another when layered, and can lose potency and brightness over time. (Avoid the oil dispersible and powder form dyes, which are not suitable for making Bath Salts.

Pearlescent Micas are powdered, mineral based colorants that create a shimmering opaque color.  Use micas sparingly to provide intense color. Micas coat bath salts most evenly when added directly after a wet ingredient, such as fragrance oil, or essential Oil is added.   Start with 1/8 teaspoon per 1-2 cups of salt, and add more if needed.   

 Ultramarines and Oxides are mineral based colorants that provide opaque, matte color but can be tricky to use. To coat salt evenly you'll need to incorporate some kind of oil, however, do not make Bath Salts too slick by adding too much oil.  Mix the Ultramarine or Oxide in a small dish with a few drops of Carrier Oil to create a slurry. Then add Fragrance Oil or Essential Oil to the dish and stir again.  Pour the mixture into salt and stir well.  Start out with 1/8 teaspoon per 1-2 cups of salt, and add more if needed. Be careful not to add too much Oxide or Ultramarine colorant as it can leave the tub rather messy.

Simple Scented Bath Salt Recipe

• 16 ounces all-natural bath salt
• 15-30 drops of essential oil
• In a mixing bowl, add drops of the essential oil to the bath salt and mix well. Store in a glass jar. Add 1/3 to 1/2 cup of the scented salts to a bath for a soothing, luxurious experience!

Salt/Essential oil Combinations

Salt/Lavender

·      16 ounces Dead Sea Salt

·      20 drops Lavender Oil (lavender essential oil include its ability to eliminate nervous tension, relieve pain, disinfect the scalp and skin, enhance blood circulation)

Salt/Spearmint/Rosemary

·      16 ounces Himalayan Pink Salt

·      10 drops Spearmint Oil (cooling, energizes body system, revitalize your brain functions.

·      5 drops Rosemary Oil (improve memory, stimulate the adrenal glands and lymphatic system, condition your hair and even make it grow)

Salt/Sweet Orange Oil/Grapefruit Oil

·      16 ounces Pure Atlantic Sea Salt

·      20 drops Sweet Orange Oil (mood lifter, boosts the immune system, lymphatic stimulant, sedative and relaxant)

·      10 drops Grapefruit Oil (mood lifter, anti-cellulite, antioxidant)

Epsom Salt/Eucalyptus/Lavender
16 ounces Epsom Salt
5 drops Eucalyptus Oil (anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, decongestant, deodorant, antiseptic, antibacterial, stimulating)
15 drops Lavender Oil

Caution: Do not take hot baths and salt baths (including Epsom salt baths) if you have heart trouble, high blood pressure, or are diabetic. Use caution if pregnant.

http://www.wikihow.com/Take-a-Detox-Bath

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/detox-baths.html#ixzz3IgrNwoY2

http://www.saltworks.us/salt_info/si_MakingBathSalts.asp

http://healthylivinghowto.com/1/post/2012/01/detoxification-part-i-healing-waters.html

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/detox-baths.html#ixzz3IgrECG8z

http://www.naturalbeautyworkshop.com/my_weblog/2008/11/how-to-make-bat.html

Salt: Great for Detox Baths, part 1

Salt is the corner stone of the body’s internal cleansing process.

According to Wikipedia, different kinds of salts, their uses, and methods of extraction were studied in China around 2700 years BCE. Hippocrates encouraged his fellow healers to use salt water for the treatment of various ailments by immersing patients in seawater. Ancient Greeks continued this practice. In1753 Charles Russell, English author and physician, published the book “The Uses of Sea Water”. During the19th century, Father Sebastian Kneipp, Bavarian priest and holistic healer formalized the idea of “hydrotherapy” therapeutic water soaking.

The body’s capacity for detoxification of environmental pollutants is not endless. Daily our exposure to toxic substances is on the rise as new materials and substance are created in and synthesized in chemical laboratories. These chemicals end up in our air, water and food.

On average U.S. citizens have residues from over 400 toxic compounds in their body according to the EPA. The U.S. water supply contains 2,100 chemicals, including pesticides, herbicides, PCBs, and medications such as hormones, antidepressants and recreational drugs. Approximately, 80,000 metric tons of carcinogens are released into the air annually. Genetically modified ingredients are found in over 80% of our foods. 82,000 man-made chemicals are in use daily but only a fourth have been tested for toxicity.

The liver is the main cleansing organ of the body. It removes toxins and metabolic waste by converting them into water-soluble compounds. These water-soluble compounds are eliminated from the body through urine. Nonwater-soluble compounds are transformed by the liver and excreted into the bile, which is transported to the intestines and excreted. Toxins that are not eliminated or completely removed by either process are eliminated via our sweat through the skin. This demonstrates why salt water soaking is so beneficial for a healthy body. The skin is seen as the third kidney since toxins are excreted through sweating.

Benefits of Saltwater Soaking

·      Ease stress and improves sleep and concentration

·      Help muscles and nerves function properly

·      Regulate activity of 325+ enzymes

·      Help prevent artery hardening and blood clots

·      Make insulin more effective

·      Reduce inflammation to relieve pain and muscle cramps

·      Improve oxygen use

·      Flush toxins

·      Improve absorption of nutrients

·      Help form joint proteins, brain tissue and mucin proteins

·      Help prevent or ease migraine headaches

Hydrotherapy, soaking, for body detoxification is an ancient remedy that anyone can perform in the comfort of home. A cleansing soak assists your body with the elimination of toxins as well as with absorbing minerals and nutrients from the water. According to Naturopath Dr. Hazel Parcells hot water draws toxins to the skin’s surface, and as the water cools it pulls toxins from the skin.

Salts are highly alkaline and cleansing. Typical salts used in hydo-therapy baths include sea salt, baking soda, clay, and Dead Sea salts. Epsom salts, magnesium based salt, supports the detoxification by causing you to sweat. Sea salt baths are often recommended for treating a wide range of medical conditions.

Sea salts, the relaxing effects of hot water, and essential oils are a synergistic combination. These Aromatic baths provide relief from stress and anxiety, assist with muscle and joint pains, and treat the symptoms of more severe skin conditions.

Salt Varieties include:

Himalayan salt, or Jurassic sea salt, was formed 150 million years ago during the formation of the great mountain ranges of today. These ancient sea salt deposits were preserved and protected from pollutants by layers of volcanic eruptions. These salts typically contain 84 valuable trace minerals that create a beautiful, natural pink coloring.

Atlantic Sea Salts are collected from deep, clean ocean waters. The seawater is channeled into large clay trays and where the water is allowed to evaporate it naturally in the sun and wind. This white bath salt is naturally absorbent and perfect for adding coloring or scent.

Dead Sea Salt differs greatly from other sea salts in mineral content, being made up of only 8% sodium chloride with a high percentage of magnesium, sulfates and potassium. It is rumored that Cleopatra had a spa constructed on the shores of the Dead Sea. Dead Sea salts re known to aid in the treatment of common dry skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, as well as, to reduce pain and inflammation from arthritis and rheumatism.

Dendritic Salt is a highly purified sodium chloride that is crystallized commercially manufactured. Dendritic salt is highly absorptive and holds essential oils more intensely and for longer time. It requires less pigment, and reduces clumping, and is used as a preservative for bath salt blends.

Epsom salt is a pure mineral compound of magnesium sulfate in crystal form, which looks like salt. Although it isn’t salt, sodium chloride, Epsom salt benefits those who are magnesium deficient. Magnesium deficiency contributes to heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, arthritis and joint pain, digestive problems, and chronic fatigue. Epsom salt is most easily taken into the body through the skin.

Mediterranean Sea salt is a perfect salt for adding straight to the tub, as a raw ingredient blended with essential oils for scrubs and body treatments.

Grey Breton salt is unwashed, unrefined, and additive-free. Grey salt is traditionally hand-harvested in Guérande, France in the Brittany region. The salt’s natural trace minerals absorbed from its sea origins create the distinctive gray color. Because it is unwashed, unrefined, and additive-free, it maintains the health-enhancing nutrients calcium, potassium, copper, zinc, iron and others.

Hawaiian Red salt, also known as Alaea sea salt, is a natural, unprocessed salt. The distinctive red color comes from purified volcanic, red Hawaiian clay, which is high in iron oxide. The therapeutic benefits of Hawaiian Red salt baths include healing wounds, body aches, and muscle sprains.

Indian Black salt is a pinkish gray, sulfur salt, which is harvested in the Pakistan and India volcanic regions. This bath salt is beneficial for a wide variety of conditions including skin infections, inflammations, and respiratory problems. This unrefined sulfur salt is a natural disinfectant, which has a strong purifying and re-mineralizing effect on the body. Black salt is a central ingredient in classical Ayurvedic healing therapies. Sulfur salt has strong, distinct smell like that of sulfuric spring water.

With a basic understanding of the various salt varieties, you can create spa baths personalized to your health needs. When buying salt for therapeutic soaking, it is more economical to buy bulk quantities from an Internet. I recommend buying food grade salt from a reputable dealer as the purity is guaranteed. You can then use the salt for cooking experimenting with flavors, as well as soaking getting, and the full benefit of the mineral content. 

Warning: do not eat commercial bath salts or homemade bath salts to which essential oils or chemical colorants are added.

Homemade bath salts make easy fun personalized gifts. Part 2  will describe methods for making personalized, spa bathsalts.

http://www.wikihow.com/Take-a-Detox-Bath

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/detox-baths.html#ixzz3IgrNwoY2

http://www.saltworks.us/salt_info/si_MakingBathSalts.asp

http://healthylivinghowto.com/1/post/2012/01/detoxification-part-i-healing-waters.html

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/detox-baths.html#ixzz3IgrECG8z

Stomach Pain and Gallbladder

Generally the gallbladder doesn't cause too many problems or give us much concern. But it can be a scary experience if you pass a larger gallstone. The pain may be intense enough to make a person faint. Passing a gallstone typically occurs within an hour of eating a meal.

A large gallstone that blocks a duct in your digestive track is experienced as a sudden, increasing pain in your right upper abdomen. Pain may be felt in the center of the abdomen, or as traveling into the back under the shoulder blades and into the right shoulder. The pain can last from a few minutes to a few hours. In extreme cases, you may experience a yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, as well as a high fever.

Most gallstones are extremely tiny, and are passed from the body without notice. They are pebble-like deposits of bile, or cholesterol, which formed in the gallbladder as part of the digestion process. However, if you develop a really large gallstone, which causes extreme pain as it passes through the body, you need to seek medical help immediately.

If the gallstone is blocking a bile duct, the size of the stone will dictate if surgery is needed to remove it from your body. Another option a physician may use is to dissolve the gallstone with oral medication.

There are several gallbladder conditions that have similar symptoms. The different types of gallbladder problems have common symptoms and start with pain in the upper abdominal area, either in the upper right or middle.

Common symptoms of Gallbladder Conditions:

Severe abdominal pain

Pain that may extend beneath the right shoulder blade or to the back

Pain that worsens after eating a meal, particularly fatty or greasy foods

Pain that feels dull, sharp, or crampy

Pain that increases when you breathe in deeply

Chest pain

Heartburn, indigestion, and excessive gas

A feeling of fullness in the abdomen

Vomiting, nausea, fever

Shaking with chills

Tenderness in the abdomen, particularly the right upper quadrant

Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)

Stools of an unusual color (often lighter, like clay)

A medical diagnosis by a physician will identify whether you have a temporary case of gallstones, or if you have developed gallbladder disease. The correct diagnosis gives you the information needed to decide between alternative treatments or allopathic treatments.

Gallstones (cholelithiasis). This condition occurs when small stones, or sometimes larger ones, develop inside the gallbladder and cause pain known as biliary colic. However, 90 percent of people with gallstones will have no symptoms.

Biliary colic is a severe episodes of pain caused by gallstone blockage of the cystic duct. The gallbladder contracts against the blockage, causing spasmodic (or sometimes constant) severe pain. Biliary colic usually last only an hour or two and may infrequently or years apart.

Inflamed gallbladder (cholecystitis) is caused by gallstones, excessive alcohol use, infections, or even tumors that cause bile buildup. However, the most common cause of is gallstones. Gallstone irritation may cause the gallbladder walls to become swollen and painful. Inflammation episode may last for several hours, or even a few days. The sluggish, inflamed gallbladder may be invaded by intestinal bacteria, and becomes infected. When a gallbladder actually ruptures, this is a surgical emergency. Cholecystitis always requires medical attention, particularly if fever is present.

Dysfunctional gallbladder or chronic gallbladder disease. The gallbladder becomes rigid and scarred repeated episodes of inflammation and gallstones. Symptoms are constant and include abdominal fullness, indigestion, increased gas, and chronic diarrhea after meals throughout the day.

Lifestyle, Diet and Home Remedies

• Eliminate fatty and greasy foods in your diet---foods high in cholesterol can result in the accumulation cholesterol in your bile that could result in more gallstones.

• Avoid fatty beef or pork--- stick to lean meats and consume plenty of fish, turkey and poultry.

• Avoid peppers and chili peppers -- spicy foods can lead to increased gallbladder attacks and intense pain.

• Avoid condiments such as mayonnaise and using excessive.

• Avoid junk foods (chips, cookies and cakes) and high-fat diary products, such as ice cream.

• Increase Vitamin C intake---helps in breaking down cholesterol accumulation in your body, which breaks down stones to allow them to easily pass through your stool.

• Increase water intake per day will help in passing gallstones--try to drink at least one glass of water every hour.

• Eat foods rich in fiber---which helps regulates bowel movement.

• One should eat a healthy diet, lose weight slowly (not abruptly), and maintain the healthy weight.

• Application of hot pack (caster oil pack) in the upper abdominal area can relieve the pain.

• Administer a warm water enema to eliminate fecal accumulations for those constipated patients.

• Doing physical exercises are needed to facilitate peristalsis.

Inflamed Gallbladder Diet

• Drink beet, carrot, lemon, grape, grapefruit, and pear juices.

• Eat moderate amounts of cooked vegetables and add more slightly raw cooked veggies.

• Avoid eating the following: fats, eggs, meat, spices, pickles, coffee, sugary products, and fried, greasy, processed foods.

• Eat frequent small meals rather than having 3 larger meals a day.

Consult your physician for an accurate diagnosis and treatment recommendations before beginning an herbal regimen. Certain herbs may help gallbladder disease, gallstones or other stressors on your gallbladder. Some herbs also improve liver function.

Herbs used for gallbladder conditions:

Milk Thistle

According to the University of Michigan Health System, milk thistle in capsule or tablet form may help to prevent gallstones. A study found that taking 420 mg of the silymarin contained in milk thistle helps decrease the cholesterol levels in bile, which helps prevent gallstones from forming. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends taking 80 mg to 160 mg of standardized milk thistle seed extract two to three times daily for liver and gallbladder support

Coffee

Coffee helps prevent gallbladder disease. Two large studies published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, June 1999, showed men who consumed the most caffeinated coffee (more than four cups per day) had the lowest risk of gallbladder disease. In a separate study published in December 2002 in Gastroenterology, researchers found caffeinated coffee protects against gallbladder disease.

Peppermint

According to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, peppermint oil may help to dissolve gallstones. Preliminary studies have found that taking peppermint or other essential plant oils helps dissolve gallstones over the course of several months            

Artichoke

The University of Maryland Medical Center has found taking an extract from the globe artichoke leaves may support the gallbladder and liver. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center reports the artichoke leaf may help gallbladder contraction, which pushes out the gallstones. Take 250 mg to 500 mg two to three times per day of standardized globe artichoke extract to support gallbladder function,

Turmeric

Turmeric is also used in Germany for gallbladder pain according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center take 300 mg three times daily of standardized turmeric extract to support your liver and gallbladder.

Dandelion

The University of Michigan Health System says dandelion helps to treat gallstone related gallbladder pain. Dandelion root contains bitter compounds that stimulate bile production in the gallbladder and helps the body in processing fats.

Warning: certain herbs that help expel gallstones may be risky because the gallstones could lodge in the bile ducts and rupture.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/134236-natural-herbs-gallbladder/

http://www.webdiagnosis.com/symptoms-of-passing-gallstones#ixzz3HxHqwSo2

http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/tc/cholecystitis-overview

http://www.everydayhealth.com/gallbladder/

http://www.gallbladderpainsymptoms.org/passing-gallstones-symptoms.html

http://www.gallbladderpainsymptoms.org/passing-gallstones-symptoms.html