Can Chinese medicine cure gallstones?

Traditional Chinese medicine may have an auxiliary effect on some patients with gallstones, but whether it can "fossilize" needs to be judged based on the specific situation. For severe cases, it is recommended to seek medical attention in time.

Gallstones are a common digestive system disease, mostly caused by abnormal bile composition or weakened gallbladder contraction function, often manifested as abdominal pain, nausea, and even jaundice. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that gallstones are often caused by liver and gallbladder dampness and heat, qi stagnation and blood stasis. Regulating the body constitution and improving the internal environment can help with some stones.

Commonly used Chinese medicines include Centella asiatica, Gallus gallus domesticus, and Lygodium japonicum. These herbs mainly promote gallbladder function, clear away heat and dampness, and may have a certain effect in dissolving or relieving cholesterol gallstones. However, the effect of dissolving gallstones is limited, and the course of treatment may be long. For calcified stones or larger stones, the effect of Chinese medicine is usually weak. In addition, some Chinese medicines have adverse reactions and should be used with caution.

It is recommended that patients with gallstones undergo regular physical examinations to confirm the shape and size of the stones. Patients with mild symptoms can try a combination of Chinese and Western medicine under the guidance of a doctor. Severe cases or recurrent attacks should be given priority for surgery. In daily diet, reducing the intake of high-fat and high-sugar foods and appropriately increasing dietary fiber and green vegetables can help relieve the burden on the gallbladder and prevent recurrence.