Gallbladder is a small abdominal organ situated beneath the liver. In adults, the gallbladder measures approximately 8 centimeters (3.1 in) in length and 4 centimeters (1.6 in) in diameter when fully distended. It stores the bile produced by the liver and helps for the digestion of fat.
Gallstone is the small particles formed in the gallbladder due to increased concentration of bile. Mainly two types of gallstones are present cholesterol gallstones and bile pigment gallstones. Mixed types of gallstones are also present. More than 80% of gallstones are of cholesterol. The presence of gallstone in the gallbladder sometime may be asymptomatic and may be found accidently during ultrasonography scan for other complaints. The symptoms of stones occur only when the stone obstruct the pathway of bile flow or due to irritation of mucosa of gall bladder. It may occur at any age but is more common after fourty year and is more predominant in females than male and in obese persons. Female with multiple pregnancy are also at high risk.
In Ayurveda, due to improper intake of food and altered lifestyle, the three doshas get vitiated and localize in the gallbladder predominated by kapha dosha and form gallstone. Gallstone is regarded as PITTASMARI. The bile being mixed with deranged kapha, becomes a thick mass and pass to the neck of gallbladder and prevents the passage of bile juice in the duct and results in gallstone.
Ayurveda Management Of GallBladder Stone:
Ayurveda considers “Nidana Parimajana” as the first line of treatment. It means of avoidance of etiological factors. So, the first of all life style modification is necessary. For this, avoid hot and spicy food, avoid alcohol and smoking, have regular bowel habit, avoid sedentary life style.
Formation of gallstone is closely related to level of cholesterol because low HDL cholesterol and high triglycerides in blood increases the risk of gallstone. So, for this various ayurveda preparations for lowering the triglycerides are used like lasuna capsule, arogyavardini vati, gugglu preprations.etc.
Arogyavardini vati, which contain kutki (Picrorhiza kurroa) as main constituent is also used in the treatment of gallstone. Similarly, the decoction of kutki (Picrorhiza kurroa) also used for the treatment. Kutki is regarded as pittavirechak(cholagogues). Numerous other herbs known as cholagogues and choleretics have been found useful in preventing gallstones in traditional ayurvedic medicine. Cholagogues are herbs that stimulate the gallbladder to contract, while choleretics stimulate the liver to secrete more bile. Both these actions could help reduce the risk of developing gallstones. Turmeric, citrus fruits, dried ginger, black pepper, long pepper, hing, etc., fall under these categories. Mineral compounds like Saindhava lavanam and Yavakshaar also serve a similar purpose.
Various researches have illustrated beneficial effect of vitamin C for gallstone. So, various herbs rich in vitamin C will help for gallstone like amala and other citrus fruit. Chywanprash, a polyherbal ayurveda formulation which has amala as main constituent will help.(source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19814821)
Various other therapeutic procedures like apatarpana(fasting), langana(light food) and virechan(purgation) are also benefitial for gallstone.
For virechan, various preparations like triphala powder, panchasakar powder can be used for virechan.
For symptomatic relief of acute pain due to gallstone, various ayurveda preparations like shankha vati, shootshekhar rasa, avipattikar churna, prabal panchamrit are used. Similarly local application of oils like mahanarayan oil, eranda tail help to relieve pain.
Other Regimes:
Drinking of plenty of water 4 to 5 liters per day will be beneficial. Similarly, sleeping in right lateral position can also help for the movement of stone out.
Also, various yoga asanas which increase tone of liver and gall bladder like Sarvangasana, Paschimottanasana, Salabhasana, Dhanurasana, Bhujangasana will help. Drinking of three to four glass of apple juice daily helps to flush out gall stone. Apples are a source of pectin, which has been shown to sequester bile and facilitate its elimination in the stool.
Diet
Sweet things and liquid food like sugar cane juice, orange juice and dry grapes are believed to be given to the patient in large quantities. This increase urination which helps in the elimination of bile pigments which are excessive in the blood. Vegetables and meat soups can be given to the patients. Vegetables with bitter taste are useful in this condition. Food articles which are sour and pungent in taste and spices are not good for this condition. Salt should be taken in limited quantity. Pomegranate although sour, is good. Curd should not be given. But buttermilk can be given to the patient provided it is not sour. Alcohol in any form is contraindicated.
