Living with gallbladder issues can be painful and limiting, but I found hope and healing through natural methods and lifestyle changes.
Here's my journey to recovery and the steps I took to stop my gallbladder attacks and heal my organ.
1. Embracing a Whole Foods Diet
I transitioned to a diet based on unprocessed, unpackaged, freshly home-cooked meals, prioritising organic produce and grass-fed meats. I like to buy my meat from locally sourced farmers with oragnic ethics but I also like to buy from the farmers online like Piper's Farm. They gave me a code for friends and family to try: LIFEWITHTHEHOLMES - add at checkout.
I incorporated raw dairy into my diet, I like FenFarm Dairy or HillFarm Real Foods, ensuring all my food sources were locally sourced from farms with hormone-free animals. Cooking with tallow or ghee instead of seed oils became a staple in my kitchen, promoting a healthier fat intake. I like the products from Ossa Organic, they source high quality ingredients to make bone broth, ghee and tallow - absoltley delicious and super nourishing. You can use FAY10 at checkout for money off.
2. Castor Oil Packs
At the onset of pain or as a nightly routine, I used castor oil packs from CastorVida (use code FAY15 for 15% off). These packs provided me with much-needed relief and are known for their liver healing properties.
3. Organic Psyllium Husk Capsules
To aid digestion, to remove immediate pain and encourage the elimination of toxic bile, I started taking organic psyllium husk capsules the moment any pain would start. Just two capsules with a big glass of spring water and the pain would dissolve. The fiber in these capsules helps push stagnant bile from the liver through the gallbladder, promoting a healthier digestive system. I like these ones because they are organic, non organic can cause further toxins to accumulate in the liver.
4. Lowering Toxic Load
I made a conscious effort to reduce the toxic load within my household by opting for homemade surface cleaners and other natural products. This step was crucial in minimising my body's overall exposure to harmful chemicals. The less toxins you are consuming the less your work your liver has to do to remove them. I changed my dishwasher tablets, my detergent and even beauty products to more cleaner low-tox options.
5. Homeopathy and Detox
Working with a homeopath, I embarked on a detox journey to cleanse my body of the history of pharmaceutical use. This approach helped me address the root causes of my gallbladder issues.
6. Supplements for Healing
I supplemented my diet with magnesium, selenium, and zinc to support my body's healing process.
Magnesium: For muscle and nerve function, essential for digestive health. I used liposomal magnesium glycinate from iHerb for its high absorption rate.
Selenium: Chosen for its antioxidant properties and its role in detoxifying mercury from dental fillings. My choice was Natural Factors SelenoExcell from iHerb, known for its quality.
Fulvic Minerals: To enhance detoxification and improve nutrient absorption, I incorporated Morningstar Minerals Fulvic/Humic Minerals from iHerb.
Zinc: Essential for immune function and hormone balance, obtained from high-quality oysters at MarineHealthFoods (code HOLMES10 for a discount), a rich source of zinc.
Turmeric capsules: I found these helped with pain relief. Instead of using synthetic chemicals like paracetmol that mask pain, I opted for this natural anti-inflammatory herb that worked incredibly well at soothing the pain almost immediately.
7. Detox Baths and Lifestyle Changes
Whenever I experienced pain, detox baths with Epsom salts and Dead Sea salts provided relief. I also found solace in hobbies that taught me to switch off and relax. Learning a new skill, like sourdough, long walks and gentle exercise became part of my daily routine, avoiding any activity that felt overwhelming.
8. Mindfulness and Hydration
Adopting a less stressful lifestyle was key to my recovery. I made conscious changes to my routine to reduce rush and anxiety, including journaling to process my thoughts and feelings. Hydration with structured water sources and spreading out my food intake throughout the day helped maintain my energy levels and prevent hunger pangs.
9. Nourishing During Pain
In times of gallbladder pain, I learned the importance of not starving myself in fear food was causing the pain. Instead, I chose slow-cooked meat stock or bone broth, focusing on foods that were gentle and easy to digest. I minimised vegetable intake until the pain subsided, sticking to long-cooked meats prepared in spring/mineral water and seasoned with Celtic salt for hydration. This approach helped manage my pain effectively while ensuring my body received the nutrients it needed to heal.
Through these steps, not only did I stop my gallbladder attacks, but I also embarked on a journey of overall wellness and healing. It's a testament to the power of natural healing and the importance of listening to and caring for our bodies.
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