Epsom Salts Gallbladder Flush Detox

Okay, I get that and Epsom salts gallbladder flush does not sound particularly pleasant, but honestly, it is not that bad. Some people may dislike the taste of the Epsom salts water, in which case you could look at using Magnesium Sulphate capsules.

I could not find any Magnesium Sulphate capsules at the time that I was doing my cleanse, so I just drank the Epsom salts water. I did not find it too bad; I have had much worse.

This is just one holistic process that shows you how to cleanse gallstones naturally. As a core part of my focus on ensuring a healthier gut, I have been digging deeper into different areas over the years, and this is one that I have been wanting to write about.

Recently, my Naturopath suggested that I do this detox because I was experiencing some pain in my arm. So, here we are, and I’m able to give you my account of this first-hand.

The Epsom salts gallbladder flush is typically safe and from what I have been advised, and by the accounts I have been provided, it can be done several times throughout the year.

My Naturopath told me that he personally did the gallbladder cleanse half a dozen times over a few months without any issues. What you may find appealing about this is that the Epsom salts gallbladder flush takes approximately 18 hours to complete.

There may be some lingering need to be near the bathroom for a while longer after that, but within 24 hours it’s typically done and dusted.

Important note: Before trying this yourself it is a wise idea to consult your trusted healthcare professional to make sure that it is right for you.

This article is simply an account of what I did and what I experienced. I can’t speak to your circumstances, and you will need to seek advice before attempting anything you find online.

How to do an Epsom Salts Gallbladder Flush

Summarised version:

  • Start fasting from 2:00 pm, drink ¾ cup of Epsom salts and water.
  • Two hours later, drink ¾ cup of Epsom salts and water.
  • Two hours after that drink ¾ cup grapefruit juice and ½ cup olive oil.
  • Next morning, drink ¾ cup of Epsom salts and water.
  • After another two hours, drink ¾ cup of Epsom salts and water.

This is the short version and I will get into the full protocol further down this article.

Why Consider a Gallbladder Cleanse?

The liver and the gallbladder fulfil an important role in digestion. Bile is produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. The bile is secreted during digestion helps to break down fats and remove toxins from the body. 1 2 3

If the liver and gallbladder are designed to break down fats and remove toxins, then why do you need to do a cleanse?

Good question!

It seems strange that the organs that are responsible for breaking down fats and removing toxins need to be detoxified.

Most of the time they do a good job without intervention. However, over the years, we can accumulate toxins in our bodies. These toxins may come from sources such as: 4

  • pollutants in the air 5
  • contaminants in our water supply
  • herbicides and pesticides on our fresh produce
  • consuming unhealthful foods like takeaways that have been prepared using lots of fats, salts, and sugars
  • consuming unhealthful beverages like sugar-laden sodas
  • drugs and alcohol
  • prescription medication, and even 6
  • consuming animal products

When an individual frequently overindulges in unhealthy lifestyle choices, they are putting extra pressure on their bodies. Over time the liver starts to store fats and toxins.

These people are likely to become susceptible to a range of health-related ailments.

Some people may develop inflammation in various parts of the body, experience obesity, fatty liver, gallstones, insulin resistance or diabetes, develop issues with their reproductive system, cardiovascular disease, and much more. 7

It is commonly believed that fatty liver may lead to the gallbladder producing gallstones. The liver makes enough Cholesterol needed by the human body to create hormones. Gallstones are made up of excess cholesterol, a fat-like material. 8

epsom salts gallbladder flush - galbladder.

What is a Gallstone Cleanse?

A gallstone cleanse is a specific protocol of detoxing and flushing out the liver and gallbladder of excess fat, sludge and gallstones that have accumulated in the liver and gallbladder.

When we consume Cholesterol, which is only found in animal products, the body has been found to store excess Cholesterol in the arteries which leads to complications such as erectile dysfunction (ED). 9

This is sometimes referred to as the canary in the coal mine for cardiovascular disease.

Please note that an Epsom salt gallbladder flush is not going to be an instant fix on any level. If you are experiencing any of the ailments detailed above, it is best that you seek advice from a plant-based nutritionist and start to educate yourself. Some suggestions are:

Many credible doctors encourage a plant-based nutrition lifestyle due to ongoing research that indicates that a whole foods plant-based lifestyle is the most healthful way of living.

I realise that this is way off track, but it is important. You cannot take a magic pill and expect that everything will be fixed. These symptoms are your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong. If it was me, I would consider changing my lifestyle.

Gallbladder Cleanse Health Benefits

Detoxing the body can provide many health benefits. It is commonly believed in natural therapy that a gallbladder cleanse may help to break down the gallstones and stimulate the gallbladder to flush out the gallstones in the stools.

Some of the benefits that I have personally experienced include:

  • clearing of foggy brain
  • improvement in digestion
  • increased energy levels
  • feeling less bloated
  • fewer headaches
  • clearer skin and eyes

Does a Gallstone Cleanse Work?

If you speak with people in the holistic medicine space, they will inevitably tell you that it does work. Unfortunately, there is insufficient evidence from clinical trials to validate this.

What are the Gallstone Cleanse Symptoms and Side Effects?

Some of the more common symptoms and side effects one might experience during an Epsom salts gallbladder flush are:

  • Diarrhea – loose bowel movements
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Bloating
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches

It is strongly advised that when doing an Epsom salts gallbladder cleanse to ensure you keep hydrated. Drinking clean water that is free from pollutants and nasty chemicals will go a long way to helping you stay hydrated. Many people of late have been opting for alkaline water over tap water.

Epsom Salts Gallbladder Flush Recipe

Ingredients (for one person)

  • 4 Tbsp of Epsom Salts (no fragrance or perfumes added)
  • 3 Cups of Water
  • 4 Oranges
  • ½ Cup of Olive Oil
  • ¾ cup of Grapefruit Juice (fresh is best) or Lemon Juice

Gallbladder Cleanse Supplements

Equipment

  • Large jug
  • Tablespoon
  • Measuring cups
  • Cup
  • Straw
  • Juicer (if you are juicing the fruit yourself) Container or mason Jar with a lid

Gallstone Cleanse Protocol

In preparation for your Epsom salts gallbladder flush, you may wish to drink a detox tea in the week leading up. Alternatively, I like to do a Magnesium Oxide cleanse one week beforehand.

This is not necessary; however, it does help remove some of the accumulated toxins in the body and reduce the risk of experiencing some of the more severe side effects.

On the day of the cleanse, set your alarm a few minutes earlier to ensure that you are on time. Speaking of being ‘on time’ if you do choose to follow this my Naturopath stressed to me that it is important that you stick to the times here. Don’t be early. Don’t be late.

Here is the basic schedule:

  • 2:00 pm – Prep Epsom Salts and water
  • 6:00 pm – Drink ¾ cup of Epsom Salts and water
  • 8:00 pm – Drink ¾ cup of Epsom Salts and water
  • 9:45 pm – Prepare “fat bomb” – Grapefruit and Olive Oil
  • 10:00 pm – Bedtime
  • From 6:00 am – Drink ¾ cup of Epsom Salts and water
  • From 8:00 am – Drink balance of Epsom Salts and water You must be on time to achieve the best results.

Preparation

Drink plenty of water in the morning for hydration. Keep in mind that you are likely to experience some loose stools, so it is important to drink lots of water in the lead up.

2:00pm

Start fasting from 2:00 pm. No food or drink (you may drink water if your thirsty).

Prepare your Epsom salts mixture. Add 4 tablespoons of Epsom salts and 3 cups of water to a jug and mix well. Store the jug in the fridge to get the water cold. This is for both convenience and taste.

6:00pm

Peel or cut your orange into segments and pour your first glass of Epsom Salts and water. Having the orange ready to go is key here!

At 6:00 pm, drink the Epsom Salts and water, followed by eating an orange. You may choose to drink the liquid through a straw if you like. Some people find it easier because the water goes straight down your throat and you are less likely to taste the Epsom Salts.

Note: you may add 1/8th teaspoon of Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) powder and flush it down with more water, but I prefer the fresh fruit. It also helps to neutralize the flavor from the Epsom Salts and water.

8:00pm

Prepare your orange and Epsom Salts drink and drink at 8:00 pm. NB: Be on time, it is critical for your success.

After 8:00 pm I would encourage you to prepare yourself for bed. Have a shower and relax.

9:30pm

Around 9:30 pm – 9:45 pm start to prepare your “fat bomb”. Pour ½ cup of olive oil into the container or jar with a lid. Add ¾ cup of grapefruit juice (or lemon) into the container.

It is best to use freshly squeezed grapefruit or lemon juice, so you may need a little prep extra time. Also remember to clean your equipment thoroughly if you are using a juicer.

Now is a good time to use the bathroom.

10:00pm

Take 2 Black Walnut capsules and 8 L-Ornithine capsules with water.

It is time to drink your “fat bomb”. At 10:00 pm, drink the “fat bomb” mixture. You may use a straw to get this down. Be sure to consume this within 5 minutes.

From personal experience, I would suggest downing the fat bomb as quickly as possible before the oil and grapefruit mixture separates. If you don’t drink it quick enough, the oil might give you the impulse to vomit the mixture up.

If it does begin to separate you can try mixing it through with a fork. I’d suggest to move quick and avoid this being an issue.

Bedtime

Make sure you brush your teeth. You don’t want the citric acid lingering in your mouth overnight.

Bedtime – laying down immediately ensures that more stones will be released. So as soon as you can, go to bed. Lay flat on your back. You may wish to prop your head up high with some pillows.

Some people may experience some nausea at this time. Try to lay still for at least 20 minutes

Try to focus on imagining what is happening within your body. The liver is forcing the gall bladder to release bile into the digestive system to force a detoxification effect. Pushing out all the nasty things that have built up over time.

This may include fats, cholesterol, excess slush, and gallstone. You may feel some strange sensations as the stones travel the open bile ducts and valves, thanks to the Epsom salts.

The next morning

The next morning, take it easy. How do you feel? You may feel an urgent need to use the bathroom, this is quite normal. If you are feeling nauseous, wait until you feel more composed.

No earlier than 6:00am, drink your third portion of Epsom salts drink and eat an orange. A couple of hours later you are ready to drink the final portion of the Epsom salts drink. At this time, you may go back to bed or just relax.

Remember, brushing your teeth will be important to maintain good dental hygiene here.

Allow your body to recover as it has done a huge detox cleanse. After a couple of hours, you may drink some fruit juice. Half an hour after than you can eat some fruit, and then an hour after that you can eat some light food. Preferably something neutral like oats, broths and soup.

It would be best to consume plant-based meals as much as possible during the second day. Animal products may be quite rich and heavy for the stomach. Avoid alcohol for as long as you can in the days after the cleanse.

Additionally, it may be beneficial to take some probiotics to assist the microbiome in the gut.

The Gallstone Cleanse Results

You should expect some diarrhea. Light pea green gallstones are likely to float to the surface. After your body has completely cleared the bowls, which should be around lunchtime, you may feel quite energetic.

Some people may experience fatigue for much of the day but by dinner time you should be feeling much better.

Can you do a Gallstone Cleanse while Pregnant?

I personally would not recommend doing an Epsom salts gallbladder flush while pregnant. If you wish to investigate this further seek professional advice from a holistic medical professional.

Gallbladder Cleanse Testimonials

After having undertaken this I wanted to share my account with you. My Husband also completed the cleanse with me, and he has provided his account below too.

Christine

I found that the time passed quite quickly during the Epsom salts gallbladder flush. Although the taste of the Epsom salts, and the fat bomb are not pleasant, the benefits far out-weigh the short-term taste.

Once you have the orange, the taste of the Epsom salts subsides quickly.

I experience some mild tenderness in my stomach, especially after consuming the fat bomb. After visiting the bathroom a few times, it became quite tender, but this was short lived.

My mind cleared, I had more energy and vitality, the complexion of my skin improved, and my eyes appeared shinier. Overall, I felt great. I would do it again for the clean feeling and vibrancy.

Matthew

Preparing for the detox was quite easy. The hardest thing was finding all the right stuff. Making sure the Epsom salts were not fragranced was a bit harder than I thought. They only had lavender and lime Epsom salts at the supermarket near me, but I picked some up at the pharmacy.

The last thing I had for the day was a coffee with coconut cream and lots of Sea Moss Gel.

From 2pm it was time to cut out food and anything other than water. This was pretty easy.

At 6pm it was time for the first dose of Epsom salts in water.

I cringed at the thought, but it was a lot easier to drink than I expected. Using a straw and just getting it down fast meant I didn’t have time to ponder on the thought of the taste.

Following that with a freshly cut orange made the taste of the salts go away quickly. I didn’t feel like I was going to throw the Epsom salts up, it was just slightly salty for my palate.

The next step was at 8pm where it was more Epsom salts and orange.

By 9.30pm I could feel a rumble, and this was just before the olive oil and grapefruit juice was to be made.

Mild abdominal cramps and a liquid release lasted for about 15 minutes. This was followed by a more watery release. Any sensation of discomfort quickly faded.

It was time to take the olive oil and grapefruit mix. This looked off-putting, seeing such a large volume of olive oil in anything was not normal for me. The grapefruit juice broke this down and there looked to be hardly any oil at all.

We chose fresh pink grapefruit for this which was freshly juiced at the time.

The mix was as sour as you would expect. Being drunk through a straw made it easier to get through. In one attempt I got the whole glass down within a minute as I distracted myself with a YouTube video .

Almost as soon as I finished the grapefruit and oil I was back on the toilet. Another heavy discharge of fluid followed. This was very similar to an enema.

I then went to lay in bed per the instructions and felt at ease. No discomfort or urges to get back up.

At about 4am I woke up with some bubbling and grumbling sounds coming from my gut. A short while later I was back in the toilet as more content was discharged. Still quite fluid-like, this was more solid than before.

6am it was time to get up for the next round of Epsom salts. These went down easily enough. I tried drinking straight from the glass and found that it was harder than using the straw.

The taste was more challenging than before. But like the previous times, the orange as a chaser cleansed my palate.

I went back to bed as advised, and eventually got back to sleep. I’m normally up at about 6am, so this was a little luxury for me to sleep in.

Next thing I knew the alarm was going off again. It was 8am. Time to get up and have the final dose of Epsom salts.

This last time was the hardest. Even using the straw it was a taste that I wasn’t ready for.

Throughout the rest of the day there were intermittent rumblings which required a prompt dash to the bathroom. No stabbing pains or nausea.

And what surprised me most of all was that throughout the entire process of the Epsom salts gallbladder flush I didn’t feel drained as I have on other cleanses.

Conclusion

As I mentioned earlier, you must discuss something like this with your trusted healthcare professional before you attempt to implement anything like it. You may find that there are underlying issues that need specific attention first. So please, look after your health; it’s your first form of wealth after all.

References

  1. “The role of the gallbladder in humans (El papel de la vesícula biliar en los humanos)” – J. L. Turumin, V. A. Shanturov, H. E. Turumina, 22 October 2012 [Science Direct] [Archive] ↩︎
  2. “Bile” – National Library of Medicine, 30 November 2021 [MedLine Plus] [Archive↩︎
  3. “Surgery of the Liver, Biliary Tract and Pancreas” – L. H. Blumgart, 2006 [Science Direct] [Archive↩︎
  4. “Hepatic Encephalopathy” – Cleveland Clinic, 16 April 2020 [Cleveland Clinic] [Archive↩︎
  5. “Household air pollution and its effects on health” – K. Apte, S. Salvi, 28 October 2016 [PubMed] [Archive]  ↩︎
  6. “Classification of Harmful Effects of Chemicals” – T. A. Loomis, W. Hayes, 2 September 2007 [Science Direct] [Archive↩︎
  7. “Lifestyle factors and reproductive health: taking control of your fertility” – R. Sharma, K. R. Biedenharn, J. M. Fedor, A. Agarwal, 16 July 2013 [PubMed] [Archive] ↩︎
  8. “Fatty liver increases gallstone disease risk in younger Chinese patients” – X. Li, P. Gao, May 2019 [Medicine] [Archive] ↩︎
  9. “Facts About Cholesterol” – Web MD, 18 November 1999 [Web MD] [Archive] ↩︎

Last Updated on 2 months by D&C Editorial Team

About the Author

Christine has long been on the path to optimal health. With a history of weight loss coaching she is driven by a passion for nutrition, health and wellness. Having grown up in Africa before migrating to New Zealand, and then Australia, she has seen very strong contrasts in quality of life and is driven to help others understand the importance of taking a holistic approach to life.

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