The gallbladder can be found on the inner wall of our liver. Every day about 0.9 liters of thin bile is produced that gets concentrated down to about 1.0 dl, and to the effect of digestible food it gets dispensed into the duodenum. The duct is in close anatomical and physiological relations with the pancreas.

Through complicated chemical reactions bile gets animal fats and plant oils into a water-soluble state, thus they can be absorbed.

The correct or inhibited fat degradation in the body basically determines the availability of fat-soluble vitamins. Even a minute disturbance can cause a line of unwanted physiological consequences.

Disturbances in the functioning of the gallbladder can cause the following among others:

• Vitamin deficiency causing dry skin (the epithelium on the inner mucous membranes of the body is deformed disturbing absorption of nutrients);
• The acid-base equilibrium is upset, the wall of the gallbladder becomes stiff, and thus the secretion of bile becomes defective;
• The niche of the microorganisms living in the body deteriorates, and a disturbance in the balance of the microbiology causes unwanted fungal populations to take over the friendly flora;
• The entire immune system weakens, and the resistance to infectious diseases decreases;
• Chronic inflammation can develop in the gallbladder, which can be more or less agitating, meanwhile unwanted pathogens can proliferate;
• An engorged and inflamed gallbladder can also bring about dysfunctions in the pancreas;
• Gallbladder sand can develop, and later even gallstones. The make-up of gallstones varies, and only some are dissolvable with holistic medicines.

After going to see a specialist with gallbladder problems, we can complement the suggested cure with some natural therapies.

A proper diet is crucial. From fall till the end of spring it is not advisable to have only fruit till noon. Even today the saying is true: "in the morning, like a king." Breakfast should be abundant: wheat bread toasted, with pumpkin seed oil, butter, Gruyere cheese, three eggs at least 2-3 times a week or oily fish. For pancreatic health fresh green caper should be used regularly. For lunch have vegetable soup, wheat pasta, mushy foods, steamed vegetables, fresh green salads, potatoes, and fish. After eating take a teaspoon of cold pressed oil. For dinner have pretty much the same thing but in a smaller portion, except for salad which can be more.

Fresh picked chickweed or lion's tooth salad supplements this diet well in the spring. Do not forget about antiferment spices: thyme, golden cress, anise, fennel, marjoram, wild marjoram, etc. - use this regularly but moderately.

Bitter teas also supplement the correct diet: common agrimony, yarrow, erythreae, angelica, marrubium, chicory, lion's tooth leaf and root, mint, anise, fennel, chickweed, cudweed, marigold. Have these by themselves or mixed but never with flavoring!

Stay away from any food or drink that has been personally experienced to disturb the functioning of the gallbladder.

If the gallbladder is surgically removed, eat 6-8 times a day, but always only small portions. After every meal, it is suggested to take a small teaspoon of edible oil since bile is constantly trickling, and thus it will have a task to perform. Later, after the bile-duct widens out, a substitute gallbladder takes form.

There is a well-known ancient bile cleansing treatment that is most effective with black radishes. Before going to sleep, slowly chew one slice of a radish, salted, and tossed in pumpkin seed oil, then eat progressively more each day. If the gallbladder should become knotted, stop the treatment immediately. To ease the knotting, massage the outer edge of the right knee at the top of the splint-bone intensively. Consult a specialist before taking any remedies sold for regulating gallbladder function.