How Much is a Cattle Gallstone Worth?

Amongst cattle, gallstones are a very common health problem and can be caused by a variety of different factors. There are two main types of gallstones – natural and artificial. These are also referred to as cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis. They are both very serious and must be treated quickly to avoid damage to the animal.

Ox gallstones

Whether you are a cow lover, gallstone collector, or an abattoir manager, you know that a rock like that is worth something. But how much is it worth? Especially in the Asian market?

For many years, ox gallstones have been used in traditional Chinese medicine. They were first discovered in the ‘Herbal Classic’ written during the Qin and Western Han dynasties. These stones are rich in calcium bilirubinate. This compound has antipyretic and sedative effects. It can inhibit bacterial growth and stimulate reactive oxygen molecules. It also has an antihypertensive effect.

In China, ox gallstones are used to treat a number of illnesses. They are also used in medical formulas. For example, they are used in the Formula Angong Niuhuang Wan.

The value of the stones is dependent on several factors. For example, the stones must be healthy and free from mad cow disease. The price of a stone depends on its size, its color, and its specific weight. The higher the specific weight, the more the stone will be valued.

Currently, a buyer is paying around $2,000 for a 57-gram stone. A kilo of stones, on the other hand, sells for between $15 and $35,000. If you want to invest in gallstones, it is important to dehydrate your stones before shipping. A dry stone will be more valuable than a moist one.

Despite the fact that there is a growing nationalistic push, it is still unlikely that the prices of gallstones will drop anytime soon. The market is set to respond favorably to the Chinese government’s promotion of bilirubin-based medicines. That means higher payouts for risk-takers on the kill floor.

The demand for golden gallstones is very high. Some proponents believe that these can relieve headaches, low spirits, sexual dysfunction, and other problems.

Cholelithiasis vs choledocholithiasis

Surgical treatment of cholelithiasis is a common procedure. Symptomatic gallstones are characterized by abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. In contrast, asymptomatic gallstones are less frequently associated with symptoms. In asymptomatic cases, biliary stasis may be the cause of a marked increase in liver enzymes.

Surgical management of choledocholithiasis includes exploration of the common bile duct and a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a minimally invasive technique, with a relatively low rate of complications. It is also a safe surgery for children. The use of LCBDE for treatment of choledocholithiasis is supported by Perko et al. They reported excellent results in a study of thirteen adults.

The incidence of symptomatic cholelithiasis was higher in medically treated dogs. The median blood biochemistry and hepatobiliary laboratory test results were lower in dogs in the nontreatment group at the time of presentation. However, only one dog with primary hyperparathyroidism underwent UDCA. This dog showed a decline in the number of choleliths at final imaging follow-up.

Surgical treatment of choledocholithiasis was successful in two dogs. The other dog required a gallbladder rupture. In both groups, superficial surgical site infection occurred in 7.1% of patients. The rate of bile leakage was 16.7%. The rate of bile leakage in symptomatic cases was much higher than in incidental cases.

A comparison of choledocholithiasis patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy and those undergoing open cholecystectomy was conducted. In the former group, only two dogs improved clinical signs. In the latter group, four dogs improved. In both groups, ultrasound was the most accurate test in identifying gallstones. The accuracy of ultrasound is as high as the accuracy of nonpregnant patients.

The complication rate of LCBDE was comparable to that of open cholecystectomy. In the randomized control trial, one-stage cholecystectomy was associated with a higher rate of complications than two-stage cholecystectomy.

Natural vs artificial gallstones

Throughout the ages, cattle gallstones have been praised as an effective herbal remedy for a variety of ailments. They are said to promote healing, prevent microbial growth, and inhibit the growth of a number of diseases. They are also believed to help treat heart disease, lung cancer, and hepatitis.

The use of gallstones in traditional Chinese medicine dates back more than two thousand years. It is one of the oldest medicinal remedies known to mankind. Its effects are thought to include analgesic, anticonvulsant, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory properties.

In the past, gallstones were used for jewelry, charms, and even as an antispasmodic. They were also used to cure poison in ancient Greece. The first documented use of ox gallstones is from Shen Nong’s Herbal Classic.

In recent years, the value of gallstones has increased. Because of a shortage in natural gallstones, artificial versions have been introduced. The artificial version is manufactured using chemical ingredients. They are not considered to be as effective as natural ones.

The price of gallstones is increasing, but it is not expected to drop anytime soon. Prices range from $15 to $35k per kilo. This is due to the fact that the medicinal value of natural stones is very high. They are also photosensitive. It takes six to eight weeks for gallstones to dry.

There is a high demand for orange gallstones. These are primarily used in the Formula Angong Niuhuang Wan.

Traders have listed prices between $45 and 77 USD per gram. The highest prices are paid for “higher quality” stones. If you plan to sell gallstones outside of China, you can find buyers on private Facebook groups. You can also get an idea of the current market for gallstones on an import-export website.

Values in order of most to least valuable

During the past 15 years, gallstones have made a comeback. This has meant that gallstone dealers have been rewarded with higher payouts. While the prices have risen, they are unlikely to drop anytime soon.

The value of a stone is influenced by the size and shape of the stone, as well as other factors. Among the most desirable shapes are pyramid-shaped rocks. However, the best gallstones are those that are undamaged. This will protect them from breakage and loss of value.

Gallstones can be dried for several months, but this should only be done with care. Do not store them too warm or they will become brittle. Ensure that they are properly packed in a shipping container or a strong box. They should also be stowed in a sealed plastic bag and crumpled newspaper.

It is estimated that the Australian cattle industry produces about 200 kilograms of bovine gallstones each year. This is a large volume of material, and it is easy to see why the value of the stones has increased.

A few years ago, a broker claimed that a kilogram of “high-quality” stones could fetch $50 or more. He said a “normal” stone would sell for a couple of dollars.

The Chinese government’s promotion of bilirubin-based medicines may be affecting the value of gallstones. This could benefit dealers, butchers, and farmers.

The Stock and Rural Crime Investigation Squad recently uncovered a cache of “high-quality” stones. Traders listed prices ranging from $45 to 77 USD for a gram.

The quality of the stone has a lot to do with access to bore water. In China, calculus bovis has been used to treat coma patients.

Price per kilo

Purchasing gallstones from cattle is a lucrative business. Depending on the quality and size of the stone, the price ranges from $57 per gram to 73000 USD per kilogram.

When buying, the buyer must check for lumps of calcite and imperfections. The stones need to be in pristine condition and free of mad cow disease. It is important that the stones have a natural odor of the animal.

It is important to dehydrate the stone before shipping it. Gallstones should be surrounded by tissues or nestled inside biscuit tins. Then, they can be delivered by FedEx.

Sunshine Trading is the market leader for bovine gallstones in Australia. They deal with 50 abattoirs around the country. They also produce patent design dropboxes to secure the gallstones and keep them from being smashed.

The price per kilogram for bovine gallstones in Australia is between $20 and $30,000. In the Far East, ox gallstones can sell for as much as $25 USD per gram. The ox gallstones are used in traditional Chinese medicine for hepatic problems and liver illnesses. They are also used in pharmacopeia and medical formulas.

Some sources suggest that natural gallstones are not as potent as artificial ones. However, they are still widely sold in the Chinese medicinal market. In fact, the annual demand for ox gallstones in China exceeds the worldwide supply of the natural product. The Chinese government promotes bilirubin-based medicines.

The nationalistic push may benefit farmers, butchers, and gallstone dealers. The price per kilogram for bovine gallstones can rival gold bullion prices.

The price per kilogram for bovine galstones in Australia has reached its peak cycle. It is unlikely that the price will fall anytime soon.

How Much is a Cattle Gallstone Worth?