Bladder Flushing and Cleansing - Keeping a Clean Bladder

The gallbladder is a small pear-shaped organ whose sole function is to store bile produced by the liver. Bile is needed in the emulsification of fat.

The gallbladder can be ruined by too much intake of greasy foods, spices, very cold beverages and dairy products, stressful mental activities, and prolonged exposure to noise and strong odors.

Alternative medicine practitioners promote the intake of pickles and vinegar to protect the gallbladder and prevent gallbladder diseases.

Gallbladder pathologies occur if the liver is always stagnant and congested causing sediment from bile to settle and accumulate in the gallbladder as solid stones. Gallstones are composed of cholesterol, bile salts and calcium.

They vary in size from few millimeters to a few centimeters. Patients commonly suffer from symptoms of right upper quadrant abdominal discomfort, indigestion and flatulence usually after a heavy mail, sharp pain radiating to the chest, shoulder, neck or back and food tastes bitter. In severe cases the patient may present with jaundice. Gallstones expelled from the gallbladder during contraction may obstruct the bile duct leading to complications such as bile duct or gallbladder infections.

Gallbladder stones are treated by low fat diet or sound wave therapy. Severe cases, however, necessitates removal by gallbladder operation. People who refuse surgery may opt to choose alternative procedures such as gallbladder cleansing or gallbladder flush to remove their stones.

Gallbladder cleanse involves eating or drinking a combination of olive oil and fruit juice over several days to break up the stones and stimulate the gallbladder to release them in stool.

1-Day Gallbladder Flush
Eat at least 5 organic apples during the day. The green variety is more effective in softening the stones than the red variety. Increase intake of fluid like water or herbal teas. At bedtime, mix a drink containing 2 parts olive oil with 1 part fresh lemon juice and ever so slowly drink the mixture. After intake, go to bed immediately. Sleep lying with your right leg close to your body as you lie on the same side. The gallstones should be eliminated in your stool the following morning.

5-Day Gallbladder Flush
Make sure you eat radishes or apples for a minimum of 5 days. Also, drink at least 10ml of olive oil mixed with lemon juice. Do this on an empty stomach once a day for the five consecutive days. This type of gallbladder flush is less effective than the 1-day gallbladder flush.

Gradual Gallbladder Cleanse
This cleansing is applied 21 days. Cleansing twice or thrice a year is recommended to prevent gallstones from recurring. During the procedure, avoid trigger foods and eat only unrefined grains such as whole wheat, vegetables and fruits. Foods that hasten gallstone elimination are pears, seaweed, parsnips, lemons, radish and turmeric. Drink three to five cups of tea. Chamomile or cleaver tea is recommended per day. You will need to drink at least 12.5 ml of cold-pressed flax seed six times a week for two whole months. You can also mix the oil with your food.

Gallbladder cleansing is not without risk. It is very important to do these only under the guidance of an experienced physician.