Artichoke (Cynara scolymus). For a long time, artichoke leaves have been used to relieve digestive discomforts linked to poor functioning of the gallbladder or liver (dyspepsia). Various studies conducted with people who suffer from these symptoms have confirmed the beneficial effect of artichoke extracts.^14-17 . The bitter substances contained in the artichoke would stimulate the production of bile.

Dosage

Consult our Artichoke file.

 Peppermint essential oil (Mentha piperita) and essential oil of caraway. Five clinical trials were conducted with 484 patients suffering from dyspepsia to verify the effectiveness of the essential oil of peppermint internally associated with that of caraway^18-22 . Four of these tests were conclusive.

Dosage

Consult our Peppermint file.

 Several plants are traditionally used to relieve this type of digestive discomfort. Here are a few, whose effectiveness has been recognized by Commission E, WHO or ESCOP: boldo leaves (peumus boldus), milk thistle seeds (Sylibum marianum), turmeric, peppermint leaves (Mentha piperata) and dandelion roots (Taraxacum officinale). Like artichoke, boldo, milk thistle and dandelion contain bitter substances. To taste, they usually produce an unpleasant sensation. Consult the corresponding sheets in the Plants and Supplements section to learn more about them.

 Eliminate certain foods. The American naturopath JE Pizzorno reports that some people can benefit from a diet that eliminates foods that cause negative reactions, because they are not well digested²³ (see our special diet Food sensitivities). In his experience, certain foods can even produce bile colic in people who do not tolerate them.

 Cure based on olive oil. The cure based on olive oil is a popular remedy of which there are many variations on the Internet. Several people say that this cure allowed them to get rid of large gallstones. However, the naturopath JE Pizzorno²⁴ and experts from the Mayo Clinic²⁵, in the United States, advise against following this treatment, which would be ineffective, according to them. People who have experienced this cure report that their stones have been expelled in their stool. In reality, the green clumps found in the stool after having stopped the treatment would not be gallstones, but complexes of minerals and olive oil that take shape in the intestine.

This cure consists of consuming, every morning for a few days, a cup of olive oil to which is added the juice of 2 lemons (or a small grapefruit). Some recipes also contain Epsom salts and apple juice.