Ox Gallstones Guatemala

Ox gallstones are a valuable cattle byproduct that is in high demand for use in Chinese herbal medicine. They are sold either in their natural form, or mixed with other ingredients as a proprietary Chinese medicine. They are also sold at the retail level as a precious herbal medicine for sale to the general public.

Origin

Gallstones, or calculus bovis, are the small stone-like crystals that form in the bile ducts of cattle. Typically found in older cows and bulls, they are retrieved at the abattoir during bile extraction on the eviscera table.

They are considered a rare and precious Chinese herbal medicine. They can be sold in their natural, unprocessed state, or mixed into proprietary Chinese medicines to treat a variety of illnesses.

The price of individual stones depends on a number of factors, including their colour, texture and dryness. Full bodied, golden specimens attract the highest prices. Dark and pitted stones are worth less, as are those that have calcium inclusions or lumps of calcite.

As well as their medicinal value, gallstones are also highly prized for their aesthetic appeal. They are sometimes carved into shapes, such as pyramids and egg-shaped, or used to make jewellery.

These days, there is no shortage of people looking to buy, sell or trade in cattle gallstones. A few of these individuals are even based overseas.

One Australian company, Sunshine Trading, claims to be the “market leader in Australia” for cattle gallstones. They deal with more than 50 abattoirs across all states and territories, raking in some 200 kilograms–or, at the grey market rate, an estimated $11.5 million USD–of the white stuff every year.

In 2003, Gerard Murtagh set out to change the way cattle gallstones were handled at abattoirs in Australia: teaching gutties how to dry, store and sell them for maximum profits. He also developed a patent design dropbox, or Gallstone and Bile Retrieval Unit: waist-high stainless steel vaults that “secure the stones away from any sticky fingers”.

This innovation was a game changer for gutties and slaughterhouses alike. Not only did it secure a huge amount of cash for gutties, but it also helped to secure a monopoly over the Australian gallstone white market.

It’s a trend that’s unlikely to slow down anytime soon. And if China continues to promote interest in bilirubin-based medicine, it’s likely that meatworkers and farmers will continue to be paid a premium for any gallstones they find on the kill floor.

Precious Chinese Herbal Medicine

Gallstones are formed of cholesterol and calcium (bilirubinate or calcium palmitate) and can range in size from a few small sticky stones to large hard ones. They may be accompanied by gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis). A variety of factors can accelerate stone formation and stone growth: a life style high in sedentary activity combined with a diet that is too high in fat and low in fiber. The condition can also be exacerbated by certain other conditions, such as weight loss following a very restrictive diet or pregnancy.

A number of Chinese herbs are reputed to dissolve stones, though it is not known how many of them actually do so. One formula, San Jin Tang (Dao Xiang Paishi), containing jinqiancao (lysimachia kunmingcensis; 100 grams), haijinsha (mugwort; 25 grams) and jineijin (rhubarb; 20 grams) is thought to be particularly effective.

The herb has been used for centuries as a digestive aid, helping to regulate and eliminate toxins in the body. It is used to relieve pain, promote bile flow and help with the dissolution of stones.

Another herb, Nu Ke Ba Zhen Wan, is a precious herbal medicine that is used for the treatment of women’s ailments, including a lack of energy relating to menstruation and premenstrual syndrome (PMS). It strengthens the Blood to bring back radiance, composure and presence and replenishes vitality.

Gold Coin Grass is a common ingredient in tinctures for the preparation of a liver/gallbladder flush (an alternative medicine therapy using a combination of olive oil and lemon juice to help remove stones from the liver and cleanse the gallbladder). It can be taken in its pure form, or as an extract.

There are several other precious Chinese herbal medicines that are used to treat the symptoms associated with gallstones and gallbladder inflammation. In addition to jinqiancao, herbs that are a good choice include goji berry (mugwort) and red peony root.

This herbal medicine is a valuable tool in the treatment of gallstones, especially when it is paired with a healthy diet and exercise program. It can also be used as a preventative measure for people at risk of gallstones and gallbladder inflammation.

Short Supply

MONDAY’s article about charges being laid against an abattoir employee for stealing gallstones from the eviscera table has aroused considerable interest among Beef Central readers. Many have taken to social media to voice their concerns about the theft, with some claiming it could result in a beef processor making a fortune from a byproduct that is hardly worth anything in the grand scheme of things.

The most interesting aforementioned fact is that ox gallstones are actually quite difficult to find, let alone obtain in sufficient quantities for their’mood enhancing’ role in Chinese herbal medicine. As a rule, they are only harvested after a thorough bile extraction process at the abattoir.

As such, their supply is a precious commodity in the Chinese herbal medicine industry. The country has a modest domestic production of the mineral, which accounts for about one metric ton (MT) per year.

The best gallstones can be sourced from small, specialised ox bile suppliers, who extract the gall bladders after they have been killed and slaughtered. The most efficient method involves removing the stones from the bile using a high speed vacuum dryer and then grinding the particles into a powder. This is then weighed, measured and packed to order. The aforementioned ox gallstones are then shipped off to their new owners, and the best ones are likely to find a home in the herbal medicine cabinets of Chinese aficionados. The most arduous and costly task is the sorting out of the best quality ox gallstones, and this task is mainly undertaken by the meat industry’s most experienced ‘expert’ – an individual known only as the ‘gallstone expert’ or ‘gallstone man’.

Artificial/Synthetic/Artificial Gallstones

The demand for natural gallstones is high in China but the domestic supply is limited to only one metric ton (MT). This has triggered the emergence of artificial/synthetic/artificial gallstones. They are used as an ingredient for a variety of proprietary Chinese medicines. However, they are not considered comparable to natural ones.

The production of gallstones in the body involves a process called lithogenicity. When the bile ducts are blocked by gallstones, it can cause abdominal pain and other symptoms of gastrointestinal distress. This is a condition that can be treated with contact dissolution therapy, which involves injecting a drug into the gallbladder to dissolve the stones. This is an experimental procedure and it is not yet well-understood.

Moreover, when the bile ducts are obstructed, it can also cause an array of other digestive problems such as gastritis and diarrhea. These symptoms can be effectively managed by a combination of conventional and herbal medicine. In addition, if the gallstones are too large, they may be removed surgically. The treatment is a complex process that can be difficult to perform and it can take a long time.

This is because a person needs to undergo several procedures before the gallstones are removed from the bile ducts and then cured. Some of these procedures include surgery, a laparoscopic procedure, and laser treatment. The surgery may require a general anesthetic. Other options include endoscopic treatment, which may be performed under local anesthesia and sedation.

Aside from surgery, other options to treat a gallstone are injections into the gallbladder, a medication that helps to dissolve the stones, and a diet that is low in fat and contains lots of dietary fiber. This will help prevent the accumulation of gallstones and reduce the risk of developing them.

The main advantage of a diet that is low in fat and high in fiber is that it can help prevent the formation of gallstones and also reduce their size. Moreover, this type of diet can help to prevent other digestive conditions such as gastritis and diarrhea. Additionally, a diet that is low in fat and includes lots of dietary fiber can help to improve digestion.

Ox Gallstones Guatemala