Gallbladder and bile flow

Christina loosestrife

Lysimachia christinae

Long and extensively used in China for gallstones (cholelithiasis) and cholecystitis. In mice, the aqueous extract almost entirely eliminated pre-formed cholesterol gallstones within 2–4 weeks, increased bile secretion and lowered bile and blood cholesterol; it also prevented gallstone formation on a lithogenic diet, and reduced gallbladder inflammation in guinea pigs.

Fukien tea tree

Carmona retusa

In a Phase II trial at Tarlac Provincial Hospital, 110 outpatients with acute biliary colic were given the tsaang gubat tablet or dicycloverine. Efficacy and tolerability were comparable, and no adverse effects or abnormal laboratory results were reported. The trial is known from a 2020 report cited in a 2025 review; no peer-reviewed trial paper was found.

Hemp agrimony

Eupatorium cannabinum

Its traditional choleretic use is supported only by the rat bile-flow study above.

Radish

Raphanus sativus

Black radish root juice is used for gallstones in Mexican traditional medicine. In mice fed a gallstone-inducing diet, six days of the juice cleared cholesterol gallstones and lowered blood cholesterol and triglycerides. There are no human studies.

Artichoke

Cynara cardunculus

Used in European traditional medicine for centuries as a liver and gallbladder remedy, and it increases bile secretion. Because of that, EMA lists gallstones, bile duct obstruction and other biliary disorders as contraindications.

Boldo

Peumus boldus

Older pharmacopoeias and the expanded Commission E listed boldo as a cholagogue and for gallstones and liver ailments, and boldine raises bile flow in rats. The EU monograph does the opposite for people with gallstones or bile-duct obstruction: it lists these as contraindications.

Dandelion

Taraxacum officinale

Commission E (cited by WHO) listed use to increase bile flow; EMA by contrast contraindicates it in bile-duct obstruction, gallstones and other biliary disease.

Fringe tree

Chionanthus virginicus

It is classed as a cholagogue. Eclectic authors used it for 'hepatic colic', meaning pain in the right upper abdomen with jaundice and pale stools. Goss thought it best for jaundice not caused by gallstones; Scudder praised it even when stones were present. Not tested in trials.

Fumitory

Fumaria officinalis

The EMA assessment report records its use for spastic discomfort of the gallbladder and bile ducts, and older European clinical reports describe it in biliary dyskinesia; these studies were not controlled. Because it may stimulate bile flow, EMA advises against it when there is bile-duct obstruction, gallstones or other biliary disease.

Greater celandine

Chelidonium majus

Used since the Middle Ages for bile and liver disorders; the indication is now overshadowed by the plant's own hepatotoxicity.

Ground ivy

Glechoma hederacea

Prescribed in traditional Chinese medicine for gallstones (cholelithiasis); untested in trials.

Japanese gentian

Gentiana scabra

Pharmacopoeial use for cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation), with no clinical data.

Javanese turmeric

Curcuma zanthorrhiza

German and Dutch products were traditionally indicated for biliary dyspepsia and insufficient bile flow; EMA dropped bile-related wording because it needs medical diagnosis, and advises against use in gallstones or bile-duct disease.

Sandy everlasting

Helichrysum arenarium

Long used in Poland and the former USSR as a bile-flow promoter (cholagogue) in gallbladder and bile-duct disease; in rats its flavonoids and teas increased bile secretion. The EMA judged biliary disease unsuitable for self-treatment and did not accept it as an indication.

Wild hydrangea

Hydrangea arborescens

Delaware root preparations with blue flag were used for gallstones, and the Cherokee gave a bark infusion to induce vomiting to 'throw off disordered bile'. Untested.