The subject line just about sez it all. A buddy of mine has been diagnosed with gall stones. He has no insurance and is open to natural remedies. Any suggestions?

-- Anonymous, August 26, 2001

Answers

I was given this "Royal Gall Bladder Flush". It takes seven days but worked for me. Mon - Sat , drink all the apple juice you can handle in addition to your regular diet. Sat, eat your usual lunch. Three hours later, disolve 2 teaspoons epsom salts in a small glass of hot water (you guessed it. Its the laxetive}. If the taste is too bad wash it down with some grapefruit juice (almost as bad as the salts :>). Repeat the salts in two hours. For dinner have half a grapefruit and a glass of fresh squeezed grapefruit juice. Before going to bed blend 1/2 cup warm water and unrefined olive oil with 1/2 cup grapefruit juice. Go to bed on your right side with your right knee pulled as close to your chest as possible for 30 minutes or so. On Sunday morning, another dose of epsom salt an hour before you eat. The morning BM should contain little green cholestorol stones the sizes ranging from kiwi seeds to grape seeds and a few the size of cherries.

Its nasty tasting that last day , but it sure works. My wife said she got it from a book called "foods that heal".

-- Anonymous, August 26, 2001

If the gallstones are chronic and not actually obstructing the bile ducts, a diet low in fat and high in fiber will relieve the symptoms and reduce the chance of further inflammation and more stones developing. A reduction in weight and daily exersize reduces symptoms also.

The herbal tinctures of fringetree, celandine, and wild yam all are said to reduce inflammation and symptoms too, but I have never used or heard of their effectiveness personally. They are available at the larger herbal/health food stores, or by special order from most alternative medicine retailers.

-- Anonymous, August 26, 2001