Cholagogues and choleretics, for gallbladder, bile, liver, cholesterol and digestive support.
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What are cholagogues and choleretics?
🍃 A cholagogue is a substance (herb or other) that promotes the flow of bile from the gall bladder into the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine) and the liver.
🍃 A choleretic is a substance (herb or other) that stimulates the increased production of bile by the liver. Not the gallbladder but the liver… So if you’re having issues with your gallbladder, you can still promote bile production from the liver. 👍🏻
We know bile is ESSENTIAL for digestion, having healthy bowel movements, emulsifying fats in the diet, detoxifying estrogen, killing bad bacteria, and other pathogens that cause infection. And for clearing out cholesterol and fatty liver.
So here are some examples of cholagogues;
1) Gentian
2) Yellow dock
3) Oregon grape
4) Burdock
5) Aloe Vera
6) Wild yam
7) Black root
8) Globe artichoke
And some examples of choleretics;
1) Barberry
2) Dandelion
3) Yerba mate
4) Mulberry leaf
5) Shizsandra
6) Goldenseal
7) Turmeric
8) Milk thistle
But honestly all off these above herbs will have both cholagogue and choleretic activity. Choleretics and cholagogues are best taken before meals (about 30 minutes prior, but can be taken just before eating). I generally like these in tea or tincture form but they can be take in tablet form too.
Please speak with your health practitioner for continued use of these substances. 🙂