How to Prevent Ox Gallstones

Ox gallstones are hard crystalline masses that form in the gallbladder or bile ducts. They can cause pain when you eat or drink and may move into the main duct that drains bile from the liver.

They can be round, egg shaped, square or pyramid shaped or as tube from the bile ducts. Dryness, colour, texture, size and whole and broken pieces affect the value of individual stones.

Location

Gallstones are hard crystalline masses that develop in the gallbladder or bile ducts due to bile pigments, calcium, and cholesterol in the digestive fluids. They are typically removed from the animal’s body during slaughter.

A number of bovine species experience gallstone development, including cows, oxen, bulls, buffaloes, zebus, bison, yaks, and gaurs. Some of these animals develop gallstones at an early age, while others may have them later on in life.

These stones are formed from bile pigments and are composed of very pure calcium bilirubinate. This is one of the main reasons ox gallstones have been used for 2500 years in Chinese medicine to obtain pure unconjugated bilirubin.

Ox gallstones can form in a variety of shapes and sizes, including circular, egg shaped, square or pyramid shaped or as tube from the bile ducts. They can also be light, dark or pitted, or have calcium inclusions (white). The value of individual stones depends on dryness, color, texture, size, and whole and broken pieces.

The most valuable ox gallstones are whole, smooth, golden, and glossy. However, dark and pitted stones as well as those with calcium inclusions (white) have a lower price.

In traditional Chinese medicine, ox gallstones are believed to have therapeutic properties that include tranquilizing, sedating, and regulating the bile tract. They are also thought to be beneficial for reducing phlegm production.

They are used as a remedy for liver and gallbladder disorders and to promote fertility in men and women. They are also known to help reduce the risk of uterine fibroids and breast cancer.

Although ox gallstones are usually only obtained from oxen raised in the central region of China, they have been used for more than two thousand years as a valuable medicinal herb. They are often combined with other herbs in a proprietary Chinese medicine.

A number of pharmacological studies have confirmed the therapeutic effects of these gallstones, especially those that contain calcium bilirubinate, on both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. These results have led to their widespread use as a treatment for a range of illnesses.

While ox gallstones are traditionally considered to be an effective treatment, they can be difficult to obtain, as they require special equipment and skills to handle. They are also very expensive and are in high demand as a precious Chinese herbal medicine.

Causes

A gallstone is a blockage in your bile ducts, a network of tubes that carry bile from your liver and gallbladder to the rest of your body. If a gallstone blocks one of these tubes, it can cause pain (biliary colic) or infection and inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis).

Your body uses bile to digest food and carries wastes like cholesterol and bilirubin from the breakdown of red blood cells in your liver. When there is too much cholesterol in bile, it can form stones that can block the ducts and cause symptoms.

Cholesterol stones are the most common type of gallstone, making up 80% of gallstones. These yellow-green stones are made of cholesterol, a substance that is normally broken down in your intestines. Some conditions, such as cirrhosis and a high-cholesterol diet, can increase your risk of these stones.

Pigment stones are smaller and darker than cholesterol stones and are made of bilirubin, which your body produces when it breaks down red blood cells. They can form in people who have sickle cell anemia, hemolytic anemia, and cirrhosis.

They are more likely to cause symptoms if they block your ducts, and can cause fever, chills, and yellowing of your skin and eyes (jaundice). If the stones obstruct the cystic duct, which leads from the gallbladder to the common bile duct, they can also cause pain (biliary colic) and inflammation (pancreatitis). The gallstones can be small enough to pass through your body on their own, but you should see your doctor right away if you think you have a gallstone.

You can reduce your risk of these stones by avoiding a high-cholesterol diet, which is linked to the formation of these stones. Eating a diet that is high in fiber and healthy fats can also help prevent them from developing.

It is best to purchase ox gallstones from cattle that are not suffering from mad cow disease. This is the most reliable way to guarantee that you are getting the highest quality.

Ox gallstones have been in high demand as a precious Chinese herbal medicine for centuries. They are used as a primary ingredient in many proprietary Chinese medicines. However, domestic supply of ox gallstones is limited to about one metric ton per year.

Treatment

The gallbladder is a small pear-shaped organ that stores bile, a green-yellow liquid that helps digest fats. The bile is released through a tube into the intestines where it helps break down the fat and other food components.

The bile is made up of cholesterol and other substances. Some of these can harden and form stones (gallstones). These are most common in people over 40. Other risk factors include obesity, pregnancy, and a history of kidney stone disease.

About 80 percent of gallstones are made up of cholesterol, while the rest are primarily composed of calcium salts or bilirubin. Patients with cirrhosis or chronic hemolytic anemia, such as sickle cell disease, are at higher risk for developing pigment gallstones.

If you have a gallstone that has blocked a duct and is causing pain, your doctor may prescribe medications to help dissolve the stones. Other treatments include cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of your gallbladder.

Symptoms of gallstone disease are mainly in the upper right portion of the abdomen and can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or pain that may spread to the right shoulder blade area. Occasionally, a fever or chills can be present.

In addition, the condition can cause swelling and inflammation of the gallbladder. This is called acute cholecystitis and occurs when a gallstone blocks a duct.

Mild cases of cholecystitis can be treated with intravenous fluids and pain relievers, but surgery is usually necessary. Cholecystectomy is the most effective treatment for this condition because it removes your gallbladder, removing any chance of a recurrence of gallstones or biliary sludge.

Although asymptomatic gallstones are rare, they do happen and should be checked regularly. The risk of developing gallstones varies among age groups, but for those under 30, the chances of needing surgery are about 30%; for those over 50, it is 20%; and for those over 70, it is 15%.

When a gallstone is blocking a duct, it can cause severe symptoms such as biliary colic and acute cholecystitis. The most serious complication is gallstone pancreatitis, which may be life-threatening in some cases. If you have any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

Prevention

When you have gallstones, they can cause severe pain and discomfort. In addition, they can be dangerous if not treated properly. This is why it is important to prevent them. Fortunately, there are many ways to do this. The most effective way is to know your risk factors and work on preventing them.

Ox gallstones, also known as ox bezoars or “calculus bovis,” were first recorded in Shen Nong’s Herbal Classic in the Qin (221-206 BCE) and Western Han Dynasties (206 BCE to 25 CE). This traditional medicinal drug is used today to treat feverish infant convulsions, polydipsia, nocturnal crying, vomiting, diarrhea, and delirium.

These stones were found in a variety of forms and sizes, including circular, egg-shaped, square or pyramid shaped, and tube from the bile ducts. The value of an individual stone is determined by its dryness, color, texture, size and whole or fractured pieces. The most valuable specimens are smooth, glossy golden stones with no dark or pitted spots.

The most common gallstones come from oxen. These animals are raised in the central region of China and are renowned for their strong, vibrant bodies.

They produce high concentrations of hydrophobic bile acids, which act as powerful detergents. These acids can kill pathogenic organisms through the cell membrane. They can also be used as softeners and antiseptic treatments.

In addition to these effects, ox bile has high levels of vitamins A, D, E and K. These vitamins have been shown to help fight against night blindness, infertility, childhood rickets, hemorraghic diathesis and osteopenia.

This ancient Chinese drug has been known to clear the heart, rejuvenate one’s spirit, remove phlegm, delirium, or a coma, as well as remove toxins from the liver and put an end to tremors and convulsions. It was also believed to cure other conditions like a cough, anemia, and rheumatism.

Despite the fact that ox gallstones were once only used in traditional Chinese medicine, they are still very popular in certain parts of the world. For example, in Asia, they are sold for as much as $15,000 a kilo.

How to Prevent Ox Gallstones