Organ Specific Guide - Raintree Nutrition, Inc

AMAZON GALLBLADDER SUPPORT
Description: A synergistic formula of 7 rainforest plants traditionally used in South America to support
gallbladder function.
Traditional uses by organ or system: Gallbladder/Liver: As a chologogue, choleretic, and choliokinetic;
for sluggish gallbladder function, gallbladder sludge and stones, to enhance gallbladder secretions and
bile, and to detoxify the gallbladder.
Ingredients: A proprietary blend of artichoke (Cynara scolymus), chanca piedra (Phyllanthus niruri), boldo
(Peumus boldus), carqueja (Baccharis genistelloides), erva tostão (Boerhaavia diffusa), condurango
(Marsdenia cundurango), gervâo (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis), and jurubeba (Solanum paniculatum).
Suggested Use: Take 3 capsules twice daily.
Contraindications: Not to be used during pregnancy, while breast-feeding or while seeking to become
pregnant.
Drug Interactions: May potentiate antihypertensive, cholesterol and diabetic medications.
Other Practitioner Observations and Possible Precautions:
• Several of the plants in this formula are documented with antihepatotoxic actions which may speed the
clearance of drugs metabolized in the liver; thereby reducing their pharmacological effect or half-life.
Synopsis of research: (Please the online Tropical Plant Database for all cited research.)
• Artichoke was studied in a 1999 clinical investigation focusing on gallbladder function. It "showed the
efficacy and safety of artichoke extracts (Cynara scolymus L.) in the treatment of hepatobiliary dysfunction
and digestive complaints, such as sensation of fullness, loss of appetite, nausea and abdominal
pain."
• Chanca piedra’s antilithic actions, reported in 7 different studies (animals, humans and in vitro), has
validated its long history of use for kidney stones. It is also used in herbal medicine for gallstones and,
while no research has been performed that specifically validates this use, one study does indicate that
chanca piedra has an effect on gallbladder processes. In a 2002 study, Indian researchers reported that
chanca piedra increased bile acid secretion in the gallbladder and significantly lowered blood cholesterol
levels in rats.
• Boldo, and its main active chemical, boldine, has demonstrated in various studies over the years to stimulate
the production of bile and its secretion from the gallbladder, protect the liver, to stimulate the
production of bile in the liver, as well as to stimulate digestion, and increase the secretion of gastric
juices.
• Carqueja is traditionally used for gallstones, liver ailments, diabetes, allergies, gout, intestinal gas and
bloating, and venereal diseases. Herbalists and natural health practitioners in the United States report
that carqueja helps strengthen digestive, ileocecal valve, stomach, and liver functions; removes
obstructions in the gallbladder and liver; fortifies and cleanses the blood; expels intestinal worms; and
is helpful for poor digestion, liver disorders, and anemia.
• Erva tostão is traditionally used in Brazilian herbal medicine for gallbladder pain and stones, to stimulate
the emptying of the gallbladder, as a diuretic, for all types of liver disorders (including jaundice and
hepatitis), and for urinary tract disorders, renal disorders, kidney stones, cystitis, and nephritis.
• Condurango has long been used for a variety of digestive and stomach problems in South America
where it is used to aid digestion, increase bile in the gallbladder, liver and pancreas, increase digestive
juices, relieve nausea and vomiting, to relieve stomach pain and cramps, and for gastric ulcers.
• Gervâo is employed mainly today by Brazilian herbalists and practitioners for chronic liver and gallbladder
problems; as a stomach tonic; to stimulate the function of the gastrointestinal tract; and for dyspepsia,
allergies, asthma, and fevers.
• Jurubeba is listed as an official drug in the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia as a specific for anemia and liver
disorders. Jurubeba has long been used in Brazilian herbal medicine systems for liver and digestive
disorders, including gallstones.