Ox Gallstones Sweden

Ox gallstones are naturally occurring biles that develop inside a number of bovines depending on age and diet. They are typically located in the gallbladder.

These cattle biles are a valuable commodity for the pharmacopeia. They are washed thoroughly with cold water to remove blood clots, impurities and then dried for two to three weeks in a dark and well ventilated environment at a temperature of approx. 20 degrees Celsius.

Origins

One of the most exciting, but also dangerous and nefarious, industries to emerge from the meat industry is the ox gallstones trade. A lot of it takes place online via darknet marketplaces and private Facebook groups, where individuals around the world are able to buy and sell gallstones to each other for a profit.

The value of gallstones depends on their size, colour, texture, dryness and whether they are whole or broken pieces. Whole, lustrous, golden, and smooth stones are generally worth the most money.

Gallstones are usually found in the intrahepatic bile ducts and may be in different shapes. These include round, egg shaped and a tube like the liver’s.

In ancient Chinese medicine, ox gallstones were widely used as a medicinal agent. They were prescribed to treat febrile infantile convulsions, polydipsia and diarrhea.

While this is a long time ago, the same principle still applies today: gallstones are a valuable animal byproduct, with a high demand for their sale among slaughterhouses.

For the abattoirs that are able to cash in on this rising market, it’s a win-win scenario. The ox gallstones that they receive in their annual quota are not only a useful byproduct, but they are also a very profitable one.

According to VICE, prices for these precious stones can reach upwards of $2,000 USD per gram – even for a single stone. It is believed that the price per gram of these stones has doubled in recent years, as slaughterhouses have cottoned on to the lucrative business of gallstone trading.

But what is it about gallstones that makes them so desirable? What sets them apart from other animal byproducts and what is the value of these hardened lumps of bilirubin?

It’s a question that Beef Central has been pondering for some time. We’re not exactly sure what the answer is, but we have learned a few things about the origins of this white-market trade and some of the players who make it happen.

Preparation

The gallstones are prepared from the bile of cattle and are obtained by filtering, vacuum drying under reduced pressure and grinding. They are mainly used in Asian medicines as an ingredient, because they are rich in calcium and have anti-inflammatory properties.

Ox gallstones are one of the most valuable drugs in Chinese medicine. They have an anti-inflammatory effect on the bile ducts, which is beneficial for patients with liver cirrhosis and chronic haemolysis.

They can also help the body fight infections, and reduce pain and swelling in the abdomen. In addition, ox gallstones can be used to treat kidney diseases and a variety of other conditions.

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A recent study found that there is a trend for increasing gallstone prevalence in Europe and North America. The aging of the population and changes in lifestyle are the main factors behind this phenomenon.

The study was based on nationwide hospital and population records, and used data from the Multigeneration Register and the Swedish Hospital Discharge Register (1964-2015) and the Outpatient Register (2001-2015). Standardised incidence ratios were calculated as the ratio of observed to expected number of cases. The rates were standardised by age, gender, period (5-year-group), socioeconomic status and residential area.

Uses

Ox gallstones Sweden, which are known as “calculus bovis” in Chinese, have long been a valued therapeutic drug. They have been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) since the Qin and Han Dynasties. They were considered one of the top grade drugs, and were used to treat a number of childhood diseases.

They were also used as an aphrodisiac, as well as in treating jaundice and to expel intestinal parasites. They were usually made into pills that contained flavescent sophora root, rough gentian root, and honey.

In the modern era, they are still used as a herbal treatment for a number of disorders. They are highly prized in Asia, particularly the Philippines and Hong Kong. They are sold either as natural gallstones or in combination with other ingredients to form a proprietary Chinese medicine.

Although ox gallstones are often collected from cattle, other animals can also be used as sources. Antelope bile, grass carp bile, and yak bile have all been used to treat conditions associated with jaundice in China.

Besides, ox gallstones are also widely used in TCM to treat a variety of different ailments. They are able to treat the liver, kidneys and gallbladder, and can help prevent the formation of gallstones in the body.

These ox gallstones are in great demand and sell for a high price on the Chinese market. They are commonly sold in a small pellet weighing three grams and cost around US$195.

Some of these ox gallstones are dried in a dark environment, and are then packaged in hermetically sealed bags to keep them fresh. This method is considered to be the best way to store them, and can help to retain their medicinal properties.

The best ox gallstones are full-bodied, golden stones with a smooth texture and a natural odor of cattle. They must be undamaged and free from blemishes or cracks.

If a stone is chipped, cracked or slightly damp, its value can drop significantly. This is because bilirubin, the yellow pigment in ox gallstones, degenerates when exposed to light, and can cause damage to other parts of the stone.

Safety

There are several types of gallstones in circulation, including the ox gallstone, which is the most common variety. It is usually a round, egg shaped, oblong or pyramid shaped stone, often with a diameter of between 20 and 50mm. It can be a soft, white or opalescent substance with a high concentration of calcium, phosphorus and a sprinkling of silica and other microcrystals.

In addition to being the source of many gallstone related health claims, ox gallstones have a long tradition in medicine and are still used today. Modern medical practices include a variety of ox gallstone extraction methods and the use of ox gallstone powders for treatment of various gallbladder conditions.

Having said that, there are numerous unscrupulous purveyors of all things gallstone based. The best bet is to avoid the pitfalls and find an established supplier with a good track record for high quality and low prices.

One of the most useful and interesting tools in navigating this minefield is Volza’s interactive Ox gallstones e-portfolio with its corresponding database of top buyers and suppliers for last 10 years. This is a must have for any serious importer or exporter. It features comprehensive data about the aforementioned ox snout adornment including illustrative pictures, specifications and pricing. It also comes with a handy tool kit containing important and relevant data such as exporter and importer contact details and business to business communication tips and tricks.

Ox Gallstones Sweden