One thing I get asked a lot about in the clinic is the ‘Liver & Gallbladder Flush’.  People ask if I have heard of it or know of anyone who has undertaken a flush.  Such questions come from people who have been told by their doctor that they must have their gallbladder removed surgically because they have gallstones.  Other people ask out of curiosity after reading information online and wanting to know if such a flush actually works.  Can gallstones be flushed out of the body?  The answer is yes!  Not only have I heard of this flush but have undertaken numerous Liver/Gallbladder Flushes myself.  The picture heading this article is from my 14th flush and shows the different coloured and shaped stones I expelled.

To get perspective on size, the image below with the ruler identifies many tiny stones and a few that are around 1cm and even one 2cm stone!

So what is a Liver/Gallbladder Flush?

The Liver/Gallbladder Flush is a process for flushing out liver-stones and gallstones (and toxic sludge) from the liver and gallbladder.  There are many variations of the flush but the consistent ingredients tend to be citrus fruit juice and oil.  Some flushes are done just for a period of one day and others have a week long (or more) preparation period.

The functions of the primary ingredients involved in the flush are:

Apples/Apple juice/ Apple Cider Vinegar - (Consumed prior to the actual flush):

• The malic acid and pectin in apples softens the gallstones making their passage through the bile ducts smooth and easy
• Tart cherry juice or Malic Acid powder can be used in replacement for apple juice (which can be high in sugar when consuming large amounts)

Epsom Salts (magnesium sulphate) – (Consumed on the day of and after the flush):

• Laxative to clear the pathway for the stones
• Dilates the vessels in the body for easy movement of the stones

The olive oil with the added citrus – (Consumed on the evening of the flush):

• To lubricate the pathways which the stones will travel
• To promote the purging of bile and stones from the gallbladder

To find out more specifics on the flush, it is best to find a local health practitioner who is knowledgeable about this and also read up on some tried and tested processes such those by Andreas Moritz, Dr Sandra Cabot & Dr Hulda Clark.

History of the Liver/Gallbladder Flush

According to Andreas Moritz, author of ‘The Liver and Gallbladder Miracle Cleanse’ both the ancient Ayurvedic practitioners and the ancient Egyptians had knowledge of purging toxins from the liver and gallbladder using oil.  It appears that variations of this oil flush have been passed down through different cultures over time. 

Noted on the website of Naturopath Dr Hulda Clark, is that texts in her possession from the 1920s reference a liver cleanse.  The 1925 book ‘Teaching and Nursing Course - Healing Procedures’ (Dr.U.Wirz), lists under the subtitle ‘Bile Stones’ that “to stimulate the expulsion of stones, among other ingredients, glycerin or 80 gr (4 Tbsp) of olive oil are to be used.”

Dr Clark also mentions a 1929 German text which belonged to her grandfather listing similar ingredients to treat bile stones.  According to Dr Clark, in the book ‘Brockhaus’, under the title of ‘Bile stones (hepatic stones)’ the following are necessary: “olive oil, glycerine, opium to alleviate pain, hot baths and a correct diet.”

An Australian woman contacted Dr Clark about an ancient liver flush recipe that was hand written in pencil in a recipe book from the 1900s which had been passed down through her family.  This woman commented that the pencil written liver flush was also the same recipe that an elderly GP she had worked with gave to his patients to prevent gallstone issues.  The woman commented that she was of the belief that the elderly GP had been given the liver flush recipe from two family members who had been physicians.  This liver flush is almost identical to the one that is popular today.

Another practitioner known for his work with liver cleansing is Dr A. Vogel, Naturopath and health pioneer.  Dr Vogel wrote a book in 1960 titled ‘The Liver – The Regulator of Your Health’.  In this book he discusses a remedy he prescribed for patients to flush out gallstones.  This remedy included drinking olive oil and laying down on the right side.  Dr Vogel discusses a specific patient whose post liver flush x-ray identified that her gallstones had disappeared.

At Northern Beaches Colon Hydrotherapy we also have clients who have had x-rays done identifying a gallstone or gallstones present in the gallbladder or bile ducts.  Similar to Dr Vogel’s patient, following one or more Liver/Gallbladder Flushes, these clients have received post-flush x-rays which show that their gallstone/s have gone!

What are Gallstones and do they harm me?

Wikipedia lists Gallstones as “a stone formed within the gallbladder out of bile components” typically from either cholesterol or bilirubin.  Gallstones can range in size from a grain of sand to a golf ball. Doctors and natural health practitioners agree that diet and lifestyle factors contribute to the formation of gallstones.  Scientists however, remain unsure of the exact triggers of gallstone formation. 

The majority of people with gallstones (around 80%) never have symptoms.  Health issues and subsequent symptoms can arise when gallstones block any of the ducts carrying bile from the liver or gallbladder to the small intestine.

A small percentage of people with gallstones develop symptoms such as pain in the area of liver/gallbladder, nausea/vomiting, digestive problems and yellowing of the skin and eyes.  To confirm the presence of gallstones an ultrasound is typically done by a doctor.  The accepted remedy for symptomatic gallstones is surgery to remove the gallbladder.

A 1.9 cm gallstone impacted in the neck of the gallbladder and leading to cholecystitis as seen on ultrasound.

- Wikimedia (James Heilman, MD)

Can anyone undertake a Liver/Gallstone Flush and what are the cautions?

Dr Sandra Cabot, author of a number of books on liver health and regeneration, suggests that a qualified health practitioner supervise a Liver/Gallbladder Flush.  Dr Cabot also suggests that a good idea is to have a companion nearby when undertaking the flush so that if a large stone is dislodged and/or severe pain is present, the person can be taken to medical care.

Dr Cabot also warns that the flush is not suitable for everyone such as “pregnant women, young children, very elderly and frail people, insulin-dependent diabetics or those with severe liver disease or an acutely inflamed gallbladder”.

There are also other reasons that the flush should not be undertaken such the presence of a twisted, obstructed or severely inflamed bowel or a stent in the gallbladder.  Anyone with a pre-existing medical condition, on medication or under the care of a physician should chat with their doctor or monitoring health practitioner prior to undertaking a flush.

Andreas Moritz cautions to follow a well tried and tested liver flush protocol and to follow this to the letter to avoid any complications.

What results can be expected from the flush?

Every person and every flush is different.  I have had flushes where I’ve passed a small amount, say 10-20 stones and then other flushes where I’ve passed hundreds of stones in one morning.  The stones vary in shape, size and colour.  Some are bright pea green, others dark green, brown, yellow and white. Some stones are tiny and others are a few centimetres wide.

There are endless reports over the internet about the benefits people have experienced after undertaking one or many liver flushes.  The comments tend not to just be about the presence and disappearance of gallstones but rather the alleviation of other ailments/illnesses and the improvement of physical, mental and emotional health overall. 

Both Dr Cabot and Andreas Moritz suggest that after a liver flush people can expect to experience a significant increase in energy, vitality and mental clarity along with improved digestion, weight loss, reduced allergies, and a relief from a variety of ailments. 

I can certainly attest to feeling amazing after a liver flush in both body and mind!

Is there proof that the Liver/Gallbladder Flush actually works?

Most evidence in support of the Liver/Gallbladder Flush is anecdotal and despite these numerous first-hand accounts of success, it is difficult to locate formal or scientific research on the flush. 

It appears that the general consensus from doctors is that there is no scientific evidence nor facts to suggest that liver flushing is necessary, or even possible.  In a letter to the journal Lancet, doctors reported that chemical examination of stones from a patient after a Liver/Gallbladder Flush revealed that the “stones” were most likely created from the olive oil that the patient had drunk to undertake the flush.

On the contrary, a small study mentioned on the American Family Physicians website describes how Richard L. Garrison, MD, (1998) studied the effect of a “traditional home remedy for inducing gallstone expulsion using lemon juice, olive oil, cascara sagrada and garlic/castile enemas” in 6 patients with symptomatic gallstones which had been confirmed by ultrasound.  The results of the study (conducted by the North American Primary Care Research Group) were that all patients had expelled stones.  This was supported by ultrasound images post flush confirming that gallstones had been cleared.  Five of the six patients were asymptomatic for follow-up periods ranging from two to 27 months (with mild symptoms returning in one of these patients after three months).  The investigators concluded that the procedure could potentially eliminate the need for surgery in many patients.

I have personally seen gallstones flushed from the body in myself and also clinic customers after taking strong liver purging herbs, despite drinking no olive oil nor undertaking the formal Liver/Gallbladder Flush process.  I have also witnessed gallstones being expelled during a colonic on the day prior to drinking the oil mixture (because the stones have been softened during the preparation week).  This experience indicates to me that it is not the olive oil forming the gallstones but rather that the gallstones were already present in the body.  Furthermore, the stones that are flushed from the body can vary so much in their colour, texture and size.  Some are soft as putty and others are rock hard like a stone with a very hard crust on the outside and a soft inside.  This indicates that the stones have not just formed over night but rather some of them have been present for a very long time!

FAQs

Where does Colon Hydrotherapy fit into the Liver/Gallbladder Flush?

It is essential that you cleanse your colon before and after you do a Liver/Gallbladder Flush.  The pre-flush colonic assists in clearing the way for the stones to be released from the body and it also helps to minimise any discomfort or nausea during the flush.  The post-flush colonic is also critical to remove any remaining stones or toxic matter that may have been purged from the liver but not quite made the full transition out of the body with the flush. 

I have personally noticed much better results and less nausea when I’ve done the pre & post flush colonics.  Furthermore, many clinic customers have reported similar experiences and also mentioned witnessing more stones coming away during the post-flush colonic.   

An alternative to the colonic sessions is to use a home enema kit.  This can be a cost-effective method to clear part of the colon for people undergoing regular Liver/Gallbladder Flushes.  (We have great kits in the clinic and can provide information on the use of these).

I don’t know if I have gallstones so is there any point in doing a flush?

Given the liver has numerous functions in our body, it makes sense that cleansing it could improve its functioning and also our overall health.  Sometimes people may suffer from seemingly unrelated health conditions without realising that the liver/gallbladder functions are involved.  So undertaking a flush, (whether stones shift or not) people may be surprised to find health problems improve that they didn’t know were even related to their liver or gallbladder! 

There are countless reports online from people who have done a series of flushes resulting in huge changes in all areas of their health. 

Can I do a flush if I don’t have a gallbladder?

Yes.  This does sound odd but the accumulation of stones occurs in the liver and gallbladder so undertaking the flush will assist with purging the liver stones and toxic liver sludge.

How many flushes will I need to do?

If you’ve read this far into this article you will see that I’ve done around 15 Liver/Gallbladder Flushes.  This is A LOT! 

Andreas Moritz recommends doing a series of flushes with around 1 month in between flushes.  The aim with the series is to flush until no stones come out so the liver & gallbladder are clear.  I did my first liver cleanse over 10 years ago and did not do flushes consistently until I was clear.

For most people it is said that it may take up to 8 – 12 flushes until the liver is completely free from gallstones. You will know you have effectively restored the liver back to good health once you have done two consecutive flushes with no stones.  People with a history of chronic health conditions may take more flushes. (I fell into this category!)

Andreas Moritz recommends that once the flushes are clear (with no stones) that a liver flush is done every 6 months as a preventative measure and for maintenance of liver and gallbladder health.

How do I get started?

Andreas Moritz’ book is a fantastic place to start.  We have these for sale in the clinic so please call us if you’d like us to put a copy aside for you to collect.  Most other items required to undertake the flush are easy to access.

Many people undertake the Liver & Gallbladder Flush at home unguided, however, it can be a great idea to get support, especially for your first flush.  Like Dr Cabot mentioned, it can be a good idea is to have a companion nearby when undertaking the flush.

If you want to join up with a group and network with other people undertaking this flush, ask around with local practitioners.  Some practitioners run liver flush programs online and others run retreats.  (I know of local health practitioner Helen Padarin who recently hosted an online liver flush event that our clinic clients gave great feedback about). 

Lastly – don’t forget your colonic (or enema kit)!!!  It is essential for the Liver/Gallbladder Flush.

Anything else?

Yes.  Please note that I am a qualified Colon Hydrotherapist with a passion for the Liver/Gallbladder Flush.  I am in not a medical practitioner nor suggesting people forgo their doctor or health practitioner’s advice and guidance.  I have personally found the Liver/Gallbladder Flush to give amazing results and wanted to share my experience and information about this process.  This article is for general interest and is not meant as to be used as medical advice.

The flush may not be suitable for everyone so its best to consult your doctor or health professional to ensure that it is safe based on your individual current health status.

Have you undertaken a liver/gallbladder flush?  We’d love to hear how you went and see any pics from your flush. 

Reference List:

1)      Cabot S, 1999, The Healthy Liver & Bowel Book, WHAS, NSW, Australia

2)      Clarke H, Dr Hulda Clarke Information Center, Old Practices (webpage), viewed 12 July 2017, http://www.drclark.net/en/cleanses/advanced/liver-cleanse-page/old-practices

3)      Garrison RL, 1998, Home Remedy May Help Prevent Surgery in Some Patients with Gallstones, Conference Highlights, American Family Physician, viewed 12 July 2017, http://www.aafp.org/afp/1998/0215/p785.html

4)      Moritz A, 2007, The Liver and Gallbladder Miracle Cleanse, Ulysses Press, Berkeley, CA

5)      Sies CW, Brooker J, 2005, Could these be gallstones?, The Lancet Journals, Viewed on 12 July 2017 http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(05)66373-8/fulltext 

6)      Vogel A, 1962, The Liver – The Regulator of Your Health, 1st edn, Bioforce-Verlag Teufen, Switzerland

7)      Wikipedia, 2017, Gallstone, viewed 12 July 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallstone

In-text References:

1)      Cabot S, 1999, The Healthy Liver & Bowel Book, Chapter 5 - Common Questions and Answers, WHAS, NSW, Australia, pg 45

2)      Clarke H, Dr Hulda Clarke Information Center, Old Practices (webpage), viewed 12 July 2017, http://www.drclark.net/en/cleanses/advanced/liver-cleanse-page/old-practices

3)      Wikipedia, 2017, Gallstone, “a stone formed within the gallbladder out of bile components”, viewed 12 July 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallstone

Images:

1)      All colour photographs of stones are personal images belonging to Caryn Nalder and are copyright, 2018

2)      Wikimedia Commons ‘Gallstones’ By BruceBlaus - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, viewed 03/06/2018, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=44926479

3)      Heilman J, 2011, Gallstones.PNG, Ultrasound, Wikimedia Commons, Viewed 12 July 2017, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14634889

4)      Tiptophomeremedies, 2015, ‘Successful Safe Liver Cleanse in 24 Hours – Get rid of over 1000 Liver Stones (Literally)’, Liver-Gallstones image, viewed 12 July 2017 http://www.tiptophomeremedies.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/liver-gallstones.png