Dissolve (GS)™

TCM herbal formula for gallstones and cholecystitis — dissolves and drains gallstones; cholagogic; anti-inflammatory; antihyperlipidemic; spreads Liver qi; clears damp-heat; facilitates passage of stones

⚠️ Contraindicated during pregnancy and nursing. Regardless of size and number of stones, surgery may be the treatment of choice for: acute onset with severe colic; sudden deterioration in overall health; sudden deterioration in cholecystitis or cholelithiasis; poor results from previous treatments with initial signs of liver damage. California warning: This product contains Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei). Read and follow directions carefully. Do not use if you have or develop diarrhea, loose stools, or abdominal pain because Da Huang may worsen these conditions and be harmful to your health. Consult your physician if you have frequent diarrhea or if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition.

CLINICAL APPLICATIONS

* Cholelithiasis — gallstones

* Cholecystitis — inflammation of the gallbladder and bile duct

* Other liver and gallbladder conditions: cholestasis, bile stasis, biliary sludge

Background: Cholelithiasis and cholecystitis are two of the most common disorders affecting the gallbladder and bile duct. Signs and symptoms include fullness and pain in the right hypochondriac region, low-grade fever, constipation, and leukorrhea. Acute onset is characterized by jaundice, severe colicky pain in the upper right quadrant radiating to the right shoulder and back, nausea, vomiting, aversion to oily and greasy foods, lack of appetite, and anxiety. Diagnostic signs include a positive Murphy's sign and tenderness at the inferior right scapula. Cholelithiasis and cholecystitis commonly occur simultaneously — most commonly seen in women over 30–40 years of age and in obese individuals. They are often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed as gastritis, peptic ulcers, viral hepatitis, angina, or acute pancreatitis. Ultrasound of the gallbladder is the most reliable diagnostic tool (approximately 90–95% accuracy). Over 85% of gallstones in the Western world are cholesterol stones — proper management of cholesterol levels is essential for treatment and prevention. According to TCM, the fundamental etiology is damp-heat: cholecystitis is characterized by damp-heat in the Gallbladder, and cholelithiasis by damp-heat drying up fluids in the Gallbladder.

Dissolve (GS) was developed by Professor Xiao-Ping Zhang of Anhui Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It has been used for over 30 years in China and has helped several thousand patients with cholecystitis and cholelithiasis.

Key herb-level clinical data:

— Jin Qian Cao (Herba Lysimachiae / Lysimachia): dissolves gallstones; increases secretion of bile by liver cells; cholagogic — increases production and excretion of bile acid to resolve current gallstones and prevent formation of new ones

— Long Dan (Radix et Rhizoma Gentianae / Gentiana): enters the Liver and Gallbladder to clear damp-heat; marked cholagogic activity via oral ingestion and intravenous injection

— Yin Chen (Herba Artemisiae Scopariae / Artemisia Capillaris): empirical herb for hepatic and gallbladder disorders; cholagogic — stimulates gallbladder function, increases bile flow to prevent biliary stasis and sludge, increases excretion of bile salt and bilirubin; antihyperlipidemic — lowers plasma cholesterol and beta-lipoproteins; antiobesity — reduces body weight and inhibits lipid accumulation; anti-inflammatory — essential oils block COX-2 expression and inhibit nitric oxide and prostaglandin E(2) production; clinically: daily tea for one month — 82 patients showed average reduction of 42.4 mg/dL (14.3% decrease) in serum cholesterol

— Wei Ling Xian (Radix et Rhizoma Clematidis / Clematis): unblocks channels and collaterals; helps dissolve stones; anti-inflammatory — blocks production of pro-inflammatory mediators (nitric oxide and prostaglandin E(2)); clinically: oral decoction 87% effective in treating 120 patients with cholelithiasis

— Hai Jin Sha (Spora Lygodii / Lygodium Spore): transforms hardness; dissolves stones

— Li Zhi He (Semen Litchi / Lychee Seed): relieves abdominal and epigastric pain due to Liver qi constraint

— Zhi Qiao (Fructus Aurantii / Bitter Orange): unblocks qi obstruction; facilitates passage of gallstones

— Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei / Rhubarb Root): lowers cholesterol; eliminates damp-heat accumulation via purgative action; marked cholagogic activity (oral and intravenous); anti-inflammatory — inhibits inducible nitric oxide synthase; clinically: 10 patients with acute cholecystitis — clinical signs resolved after average 2.3 days, temperature normal after 2 days, WBC normal after 3.4 days (30–60g decoction every 1–2 hours until abdominal pain resolved); 41 cases of acute cholecystitis — complete recovery using Da Huang 20–50g + Yin Chen 25g + Jin Qian Cao 25g decoction 3x/day; 47 patients — 76% effective in reducing plasma triglycerides and beta-lipoprotein levels over 3 weeks

WESTERN THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Dissolves and drains gallstones — Jin Qian Cao, Hai Jin Sha, Wei Ling Xian (stone dissolution and passage)

* Cholagogic — Jin Qian Cao, Long Dan, Da Huang (bile production↑, excretion↑); Yin Chen (bile flow↑, biliary stasis prevention)

* Antihyperlipidemic — Yin Chen (cholesterol↓, beta-lipoprotein↓, lipid accumulation↓); Da Huang (triglycerides↓, beta-lipoprotein↓)

* Anti-inflammatory — Da Huang (iNOS inhibition); Wei Ling Xian (NO↓, PGE2↓); Yin Chen (COX-2↓, NO↓, PGE2↓)

* Analgesic / antispasmodic — Li Zhi He (Liver qi constraint pain); Zhi Qiao (qi obstruction, distension)

CHINESE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Dissolves gallstones; facilitates passage of gallstones (Jin Qian Cao, Hai Jin Sha, Wei Ling Xian)

* Clears damp-heat in Liver and Gallbladder (Long Dan, Da Huang, Yin Chen)

* Spreads Liver qi; relieves abdominal pain (Li Zhi He, Zhi Qiao)

DOSAGE

Treatment: 4 capsules three times daily on an empty stomach with warm water. Must be taken continuously for at least three months. In cases of multiple or large stones, continue until stones are dissolved or passed. If severe discomfort, pain, or sensation of obstruction occurs after taking herbs, reduce dosage — these may be signs that large stones are becoming obstructed. Reduce to a comfortable level and stretch the treatment period so stones can dissolve and flush slowly.

Post-surgery prevention: 2 capsules daily for three months, then 1 capsule daily for another six months.

Clinical notes: Ideal candidates for herbal treatment are asymptomatic individuals with stones less than 30 mm in diameter. Conditions most suitable for Chinese herbal treatment include chronic cholecystitis, gallstones in the liver, calcium-composed gallstones, small gallstones, and gallstones after removal of the gallbladder. Elderly or weak patients not suitable for surgical treatment can also benefit. Individuals with high risk of developing cholecystitis or gallstones (the four F's: female, fair, fertile, and fat) will benefit from prophylactic treatment. Ultrasound should be performed prior to using herbs to determine stone size — non-aggressive dosing is optimal for large stones; never prescribe a high dose to flush large stones as it may result in obstruction requiring immediate surgery. Herbal therapy should be limited to mild to moderate cases — if acute manifestations occur or herbal therapy is ineffective after three months, refer to Western medicine for surgery or sonic shock wave treatment.

Supplementary formulas: Hepatitis, jaundice, or high liver enzyme levels — combine with Liver DTX. Constipation — combine with Gentle Lax (Excess). Blood stagnation — add Circulation (SJ). Excess heat — add Gardenia Complex. Liver fire or damp-heat in Liver and Gallbladder — combine with Gentiana Complex. Reduce blood cholesterol and triglycerides — use Cholisma. Cholesterol and triglycerides with fatty liver and obesity — use Cholisma (ES). Peptic ulcers or gastritis — combine with GI Care. Severe pain — use with Herbal ANG. Bloating and distension — add GI Harmony. Angina or chest pain — combine with Circulation. Excess damp and phlegm — add Pinellia Complex. Obese patients with excess appetite — add Herbalite. Diabetes mellitus and high blood glucose — add Equilibrium.

Nutrition: For cholecystitis: avoid solid foods for a few days — drink distilled water and fresh juices; introduce liquid foods slowly after 3–4 days. For gallstones: take three tablespoons of olive oil with lemon juice before bed and upon awakening — small gallstones can sometimes be passed with this method (perform ultrasound first to prevent large stones from obstructing the bile duct). Increase applesauce, yogurt, fresh apples, and beets. Avoid red meat, shrimp, lobsters, oysters, fatty or greasy foods, fried foods, spicy foods, margarine, soft drinks, commercial oils, and processed foods. Food allergies can cause gallbladder inflammation and bile duct obstruction — avoid common triggers: eggs, pork, onion, fowl, milk, coffee, and citrus fruits.

Tao of Nutrition (Dr. Maoshing Ni and Cathy McNease): Recommended foods: corn silk, water chestnuts, seaweed, beet tops, watermelon, celery, watercress, winter melon, pearl barley, walnuts, watermelon rind, winter melon rind, green tea powder, and distilled water. Drink watermelon juice. Drink celery, carrot, and water chestnut juice. Drink corn silk tea — 3–5 glasses daily. Drink tea from beet tops, winter melon rind, and watermelon rind. Take two teaspoons ground walnuts in corn silk tea. Take one teaspoon green tea powder in warm water three times daily. After consuming any of the above diuretic remedies, do some mild jumping exercise to help loosen up the stones. Avoid spicy foods, fried foods, oily foods, coffee, hard water, spinach, citrus, tomatoes, and spinach combined with tofu or dairy products.

Lifestyle: Individuals with gallbladder colic should fast, keep warm, and rest in bed. Detoxification of the liver and colon is helpful for long-term management. Sitz bath is helpful to decongest and detoxify the intestines.

CASE STUDIES

— 54-year-old female (S.T.): Waking at 3 AM, feeling cold easily, craving sweets, overweight, morning hot flashes; BP 125/80, HR 75; gallstones and elevated liver enzymes on lab; cold and damp in Spleen with Spleen deficiency and damp-heat in Liver. Dissolve (GS) 12 grams/day for 1 week. Result: passed two gallstones (recovered through stool). Practitioner concluded patients with gallstones should try Dissolve (GS) before surgery — less invasive and less expensive.

— 55-year-old female (J.J.): Right upper quadrant stomach pain; 3 gallstones 2–4 cm each confirmed by Urgent Care; Western doctor recommended surgery. Dissolve (GS) 5 capsules 3x/day until pain resolved, then 5 capsules 2x/day for 2 more weeks. Result after 3 days: nausea, acid feeling in throat, and right upper quadrant pain resolved. After 10 days: felt 100% better; primary care physician confirmed no gallstones anywhere via ultrasound. No recurrence since.

— 51-year-old female housekeeper: Pain in upper right quadrant of abdomen in gallbladder region; damp-heat in Gallbladder. Dissolve (GS) for 9 months. Result: complete cessation of upper right quadrant pain.

— 72-year-old female (C.B.): Gallstones, pain under right ribcage, poor digestion, right shoulder pain; BP 180/95, HR 85; gallstones and high cholesterol (Western); damp-heat accumulation with Liver qi stagnation. Dissolve (GS) 4.5 grams/day + Cholisma 1.5 grams/day + acupuncture. Result after 8 weeks: right shoulder pain fully improved; digestion much better with no more bloating or constipation.

Related Reading

Also see: Liver DTX – for hepatitis, jaundice, or high liver enzyme levels | Cholisma – to reduce blood cholesterol and triglycerides | Cholisma (ES) – for fatty liver and obesity with high cholesterol | Gentiana Complex – for Liver fire and damp-heat in Liver and Gallbladder | Gardenia Complex – for excess heat | GI Care – for peptic ulcers or gastritis | GI Harmony – for bloating and distension | Herbal ANG – for severe pain | Gentle Lax (Excess) – for constipation | Circulation (SJ) – for blood stagnation | Herbalite – for obesity and excess appetite | Equilibrium – for diabetes and high blood glucose | Liver, Kidney & Detox Support Collection | Digestive Health & GI Support Collection.