Ox Gallstones in Burkina Faso

A bilirubin build-up in the gall bladder of cattle, cows and oxen leads to the formation of biliary calculi, or gallstones. They can block the duct that drains bile out of the liver, causing inflammation and death.

Once removed from the intestines, gallstones are rinsed with cold water to remove blood clots and impurities. They are then dried in a dark room, at a temperature of 20degC for two to three weeks.

Burkina Faso is the largest producer of Ox Gallstones

While the rest of West Africa is no slouch when it comes to cattle production, Burkina Faso is in a class of its own when it comes to Ox gallstones. It is also home to the world’s largest ox gallstone factory. Keeping in mind the latest technology and the ever increasing demand for gallstones, Burkina Faso has come up with innovative ways to reduce cost and increase production. The country is a leading producer of premium quality calves and has a robust supply chain that spans the globe. It is also home to some of the world’s most prestigious universities.

The process of extraction of Gallstones from Cattle

The gallstones found in cattle are an important byproduct of the slaughter process. They are used in the manufacturing of herbal medicines and can be purchased either as natural gallstones or in combination with other ingredients as a proprietary Chinese medicine.

Gallstones are hard crystalline masses formed in the gallbladder or in the bile ducts from digestive fluids like bile pigments, calcium and cholesterol. They’re generally retrieved at an abattoir during the bile extraction phase.

These stones are the result of a build-up of the hormone bilirubin, produced in animals during the natural breakdown of red blood cells. When bilirubin is not excreted, it can clog the ducts and cause serious complications such as inflammation or even death.

Despite the dangers associated with these calcified deposits, the meat industry has come to realise that these hardened rock-like toxins can be a profitable commodity. The value of these ‘calculus bovis’ can easily exceed $20,000 a kilogram.

But in Australia, the gallstone market is still a small one. A single gallstone can fetch around AU$2,000 to $300, depending on its size and quality.

A typical beef processing plant will extract and dry about 200kg of ox gallstones every year. According to Gerard Murtagh, director of Sunshine Trading, the country’s biggest gallstone producer, this is a small fraction of the total production worldwide.

Once the ox gallstones are extracted from the animal, they are washed to remove any impurities and blood clots. They are then dried in a dark place at a temperature of about 20 degrees Celsius for about two weeks. After drying they are packaged in hermetically sealed bags and stored in a cool place to prevent moisture loss.

This method of storing and drying gallstones has been practiced in the meat industry for over 30 years. Mrs Murtagh explained that the water content in gallstones was 75 percent when they were first retrieved, and would drop significantly when they dried out.

So if you’re looking for an investment in the future, you should consider purchasing ox gallstones from an accredited dealer in the meat trade who can help you preserve and store them correctly before putting them up for sale.

The price of Ox Gallstones in Burkina Faso

MONDAY’s news of charges laid against an employee at an Australian abattoir over the theft of gallstones (click here to read original story) has triggered a lot of interest from readers. Many have been wondering what gallstones are worth, especially when compared to other precious stones and crystals.

The value of a gallstone is determined by its size, quality, texture and dryness. Whole, smooth, lustrous and golden specimens are of the highest value. Dark and pitted stones are of little or no value, and those with calcium inclusions are worth less.

While the value of gallstones is not something to be rushed into, they can be a valuable source of revenue for cattle-related businesses. They can be extracted from cattle’s intestines and dried. The dry stones are then used for a variety of purposes including cosmetics, medicines and other health products.

They are also used as decorative accents in homes. They can be shaped into various designs and patterns.

In the pharmacopeia they are used for medicinal formulas as they have sedative, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties.

The price of a gallstone depends on its shape, size and quality, but it can reach up to $20,000 per kilogram. This is because they are very rare and only found in a small number of places around the world.

However, the most expensive gallstones can be found in Burkina Faso. The price of an ounce of these gems is approximately US$3.00.

There are a number of companies in the country who can supply these jewels, but not all of them offer the same quality and price range. In addition, these stones are very hard to extract and must be carefully selected to ensure that they have the most value possible. The best gallstones can be sold at auction, or can be used to make jewelry or decorative items such as figurines and vases.

The availability of Ox Gallstones in Burkina Faso

A number of cattle abattoirs in Burkina Faso collect gallstones from cattle that have died on the slaughter floor. These stones are then dried for two to three weeks in a dark and well ventilated environment. After drying, they are packed in hermetically sealed bags and shipped to markets worldwide.

In the early centuries of Chinese medicine, ox gallstones were commonly used for treatment of many diseases. They were particularly useful in the treatment of hyperpyrexia-induced infantile convulsions. This was because bilirubin from ox gallstones was highly effective against fevers and seizures. Moreover, it was also used to treat hepatobiliary disorders associated with jaundice in humans.

Throughout China, ox gallstones were also considered to be the main source of bilirubin for medicinal purposes. These stones were found to contain a very pure calcium bilirubinate. When these stones were extracted and acidified, they provided pure unconjugated bilirubin for multiple therapeutic purposes.

Another important use of ox gallstones in ancient Chinese medicine was to prevent gallstone formation from causing abdominal pain and inflammation. This was due to the presence of bilirubin in ox gallstones, which inhibited the synthesis of cholesterol and other fatty acids in ox bile, thus preventing the formation of cholesterol and other gallstones.

These fatty acids also prevented the development of other bilirubin-containing substances like carcinogens, mucus, and scabs, all of which can cause gallstones to form. As a result, ox gallstones were widely prescribed for treating gastrointestinal problems in patients with high bilirubin levels.

Ox gallstones are available in a variety of sizes and shapes. They can be round, egg-shaped, or square. The size, colour, and texture of the stone also determine its value. Whole, smooth, lustrous, golden stones are more valuable than rough or pitted ones.

The availability of ox gallstones in Burkina Faso depends on the demand for the product. There is a significant demand for these stones in the West African market, where they are commonly used for the treatment of liver and bile duct diseases.

The availability of ox gallstones has increased significantly over the years, thanks to increased global demand for these products. The demand for these products is driven by the increasing demand for bilirubin-based therapeutic drugs in China.

Ox Gallstones in Burkina Faso