Few things are scarier than a gallbladder attack, but once the shock goes away and you realize what is going on, a few natural remedies from home can quickly relieve the pain of a gallbladder attack. After that, a gallbladder cleanse or other home remedy can help you eliminate the causes of your digestive issues.
The gallbladder is a small digestive organ located on your right side beneath the liver and feeding into the small intestine. The organ’s role is to store bile produced by the liver and release it into the duodenum as needed for intestinal digestion of fats and protein. When the organ goes bad, gallbladder symptoms include abdominal pain, pain in the right shoulder, nausea, and loss of appetite. All are the result of inflammation of the gallbladder, usually after a gallstone forms and blocks the bile duct (cholecystitis). After a few hours of gallbladder symptoms, the attack will often subside on its own. However, in some cases gallbladder surgery becomes necessary.
Earth Clinic readers have been sharing stories of home remedies for gallbladder attacks for over a decade. Most of these remedies are inexpensive and easily available.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Apple Juice, and Pickle Juice for Gallbladder Attacks
The most popular treatment of gallbladder pain on Earth Clinic is apple cider vinegar in apple juice. Some have had success with other types of vinegar in other types of juices. Even several swallows of pickle juice have been know to stop the pain of a gallbladder attack.
Over 100 of our readers have had success using this acv in apple juice remedy combo!
Essential Oils for Gallbladder Attacks
Lavender Essential Oil
Several Earth Clinic readers have found that 1 drop of lavender essential oil in a glass of water, slowly sipped will relieve the pain of a gallbladder attack.
Frankincense Essential Oil
Frankincense essential oil is used topically for gallbladder pain. One or two drops can be massaged into the skin over the gallbladder area.
Castor Oil Packs for Gallbladder Pain
A castor oil pack is a soothing and relaxing remedy for a gallbladder attack. Pour castor oil onto a clean 4 x 4 white cloth. Place the cloth on the skin under the right rib cage. Cover the cloth with plastic wrap. Cover the plastic wrap with a heating pad.
Epsom Salt for a Gallbladder Attack
Internal Use of Epsom Salt
A typical dose of epsom salt is 1 teaspoon in a glass of water. At least one Earth Clinic reader found that taking a Tablespoon of epsom salt in a glass of water relieved gallbladder pain. (Be aware that epsom salt has a laxative effect!)
External Use of Epsom Salt
An epsom salt bath is relaxing and healing. Add 1 cup of epsom salt to a warm bath and soak at least 20 minutes. Your body absorbs the magnesium from the epsom salt and this relaxes the body and can help with a gall bladder attack. A drop of lavender essential oil can be added to the bath to improve its relaxation qualities.
Flaxseed Tea for Gallbladder Attacks
Several Earth Clinic readers have reported success with flaxseed tea to relieve the pain of a gallbladder attack.
- Bring 2 cups of water to a boil
- Add 1 Tablespoon of flax seeds
- Boil for 5 minutes
- Steep for 10 more minutes
- Strain out flax seeds
- Sweeten with honey and cinnamon if desired
How to Prevent Gallbladder Attacks
- If you are experiencing frequent gallbladder pain, you likely need to make some dietary changes to avoid future attacks. Fatty meals, heavy meals, fried food, fast foods are best avoided. Many find that dairy products, pork products, chocolate, and a host of other foods can trigger an attack. You also may have some quirky triggers that you will need to figure out on your own. A food diary can help with this. Sometimes the results will surprise you. While some find lettuce to help a gallbladder attack, others find it will cause one!
- You may wish to consider a gallbladder flush to cleanse your gallbladder of stones and sludge.
- The herb chanca piedra, also known as stone breaker, can be taken over time to help dissolve gallstones.
- Apple cider vinegar is another common tonic that is taken daily to prevent gallbladder problems. (1 Tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar in a glass of water or juice once or twice a day.)
Scroll down to to read many reader stories with natural solutions for gallbladder pain.
Related Pages on Earth Clinic:
When doing a gall bladder flush, will the stones be HARD?
In my experience they are a waxy substance about the firmness of cold butter. This is using the olive oil, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar method. The vinegar is thought to soften them.