Why Are Ox Gallstones Madagascan?

Gallstones form when the body’s bile ducts get blocked, usually by a build-up of bilirubin. This natural orange-yellow pigment is produced during the breakdown of red blood cells.

Ox gallstones are a precious Chinese herbal medicine that can be either harvested as natural gallstones or combined with other ingredients to make a proprietary Chinese medicine. They are currently in high demand from Hong Kong importers.

Origins

Gallstones are hard crystalline masses that develop inside the gallbladder or bile ducts as a result of bile pigments, calcium and cholesterol in the digestive fluids. They’re usually removed from animals during a slaughterhouse process, though some proponents of alternative Chinese medicine believe they can be used to treat migraines and depression.

They’re incredibly rare, and because they’re made up of 75 percent water they’re also very delicate–and must be in pristine condition when they’re sold. That’s why Australian abattoirs have jumped on to the lucrative market for gall stones–collecting them from the kill floor, storing them in padlocked boxes and selling them to people who want to get their hands on them.

But it’s not all that simple, and the whole situation is fraught with danger. In 2015, a man was prosecuted in Toowoomba after he was caught taking 414kg of gallstones from the abattoir’s lockbox–a haul that was worth over $2,000 a stone.

As a matter of fact, the Australian cattle industry generates a fraction of a kilogram of bovine gallstones each year–at a time when China is putting pressure on the global market for this rare commodity. They’re used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of hepatitis and liver and heart diseases.

While a stone like Troy’s cricket ball-sized gem was once worth several hundred dollars, it’s now almost impossible to find one of these pristine specimens for sale. That’s largely due to the sheer scale of gallstone theft in Australia–a phenomenon that has spawned a thriving underground market for unprocessed bilirubin-based Chinese medicines.

The best place to start if you’re looking for a stone that’s ready to be shipped overseas is the darknet marketplaces that line the internet, or private Facebook groups dedicated to the art of gallstone trading. There, it’s possible to find a huge variety of sizes and shapes; from tiny balls of calcite to towering pyramid-shaped rocks, all priced at different levels of rarity.

There’s also a demand for dark stones, too–and while their value is still inflated, it’s considerably less than a full-bodied, golden gemstone. In the end, however, it’s unlikely that the price will fall anytime soon–as long as bilirubin demand continues to rise.

Preparation

In light of MONDAY’s story about gallstones being stolen at a southeast Queensland abattoir, readers have been asking Beef Central about the preparation of these treasured biles. We’ve found out that there’s a lot more to it than you might think, and there are many people around the world who are looking to buy these precious stones.

It’s a lucrative business, and it doesn’t require a lot of upfront investment. All you need is a decent amount of stock, a few containers, and a reliable shipping service to get it all set up.

The gallstones are collected from slaughtered cattle, and you can either find a local farmer who already has a stockpile of these valuable biles or source them elsewhere. The gallstones are usually harvested at the time of slaughter, when they’re easily identifiable because they have a distinctive red-to-white color.

After the animals have been slaughtered, you can cut them open and look for any stones that are visible on the intestines or around the liver. This is a very important step, as the stones can be worth a lot of money to those who use them in Asian alternate medicines.

Once you have the stones, they’re washed carefully to remove blood stains and other impurities that can contaminate them. Then they are dried for two to three weeks, and then packed in hermetically sealed bags.

There is a good market for ox gallstones, particularly in China and around Asia. Pharmaceutical companies, Chinese medicine practitioners, and researchers all need these precious biles.

As a result, the market for gallstones is very competitive, and prices fluctuate. If you can find a buyer who is willing to pay a high price for your gallstones, you could quickly become very profitable.

In China, ox gallstones are a popular drug used to treat a variety of ailments. This is because they contain calcium bilirubinates, which are known for their medicinal properties.

The oxen that produce these biles are raised in central regions of China and are prized for their medicinal qualities, which have been documented throughout the centuries. The most expensive ox gallstones are referred to as Sheng Huang (sheng means “red” and hui means “gold”), and they have a calming effect on the body.

Storage

Bovine gallstones are often coveted by pharmaceutical companies, Chinese medicine practitioners and researchers. The bilirubin contained in these rocks is said to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which are a reason why they are in such demand.

While they are a lucrative commodity, you should be aware that they can easily become damaged or contaminated by other materials. They must be stored in a dark, dry environment with adequate ventilation. This will prevent mold and mildew from growing.

They should be inspected for any signs of damage before shipping them. If they are chipped or cracked, they will lose a lot of their value.

You should also look for buyers who can offer you the best price for your stones. These can be found on online marketplaces or private Facebook groups. They will inspect your stones, weigh them and make an offer.

These buyers are located all over the world and will pay you well for your stones. This can be a great way to make some extra cash without having to travel or invest much money.

Before you ship your stones, you need to make sure that they are packaged correctly and will not be damaged during the transport process. Always include insurance and a tracking number so you can follow where your package is.

Buying and selling gallstones can be lucrative for those who know how to do it. The first step is to locate farmers and slaughterhouse operators who are willing to sell you their stones for a reasonable amount. You can then use your connections to negotiate the highest prices possible and maximize your profits.

Another option is to buy the gallstones directly from abattoirs or other cattle processing plants. This is a great way to source these valuable products for a fraction of the cost and will be easier to find than sourcing them through the dark market.

Once you have the gallstones, you need to dehydrate them to remove all moisture. This will take two to three weeks and should be done in a dark, cool and dry environment. Keeping the gallstones in a dry place will prevent them from becoming moldy and losing their value.

Pricing

Gallstones are tiny, calcium-rich crystalline deposits found in the gallbladder. They can form when bile gets trapped or isn’t processed properly. These calcified stones can cause severe pain, but they’re also very valuable for pharmaceutical companies, Chinese medicine practitioners, researchers and more around the world.

But despite their value, they can be difficult to get hold of and even harder to sell if you’re not a meat processing company. That’s because ox gallstones are typically found in a small percentage of slaughtered cattle, and they’re only worth as much as processors are willing to pay.

That’s why many meat processors are hesitant to collect gallstones from cattle, as they could be lost in the process. But if you’re willing to spend some time building relationships with local abattoirs and negotiating a fair price, there’s no reason not to.

As a result, you’re often able to buy gallstones from farmers for a very reasonable price. But that can be a problem when you’re trying to ship them to a buyer, as they can end up getting crushed in the shipping box. That’s why it’s important to make sure you package your gallstones carefully and include detailed invoicing with the shipment.

Then, you can sell them to buyers around the world who can ship them for a profit. The key is to ensure that your stones are in good condition and that you’re selling them at a competitive rate.

For example, a stone that is too dry can break apart, or it can be destroyed by light. That’s why it’s so important to choose a reliable buyer that offers quality service and guarantees that you’ll get the best price for your gallstones.

If you’re ready to start making a full-time income without having to invest too much money, then you should consider starting your own ox gallstone business. With a little work and a lot of persistence, you can turn your gallstones into an ongoing source of income for yourself. And once you’ve made your first payment, you can begin to build up a large stock of these precious stones that you can sell for a substantial profit.

Why Are Ox Gallstones Madagascan?