Fact Check: Can methi daana, kalonji, apple cider vinegar, honey, and olive oil water dissolve gallbladder stones naturally in 15 days?

An Instagram post claims that methi daana, kalonji, apple cider vinegar, honey, and olive oil water dissolve gallbladder stones naturally in 15 days. The claim by the user is FALSE.

Claim

In an Instagram post, it is claimed that methi daana, kalonji, apple cider vinegar, honey, and olive oil water dissolve gallbladder stones naturally in 15 days. The user ayurvedaelegant captioned the reel as  "पित्ताशय की पथरी का रामबाण उपाय" and says, "This is especially for those who have gallstones. And yes, some people will not believe this at all. Those who have stones in their gallbladder—do not get your gallbladder removed. Do not remove the gallbladder. If there are stones inside the gallbladder, and there is pain building up inside, and you’ve tried all sorts of medicines, but you haven't found relief you’re troubled, tired, and have wasted thousands, even lakhs of rupees, but the pain isn’t stopping and now you’re thinking of getting the gallbladder removed through surgery, Don’t make such a mistake. I’m telling you a very simple remedy that is very easy. Try it once, the rest is up to you. What you need to do is: take one spoon of methi dan and one spoon of kalonji. So, that’s two spoons total. Boil them in one glass of water. Boil it until the water is reduced to about half a glass. Strain it and let it cool a bit. Now add one spoon of apple cider vinegar, one spoon of honey, and one spoon of olive oil. Drink it early in the morning on an empty stomach. If the pain doesn’t go away in 15–20 minutes, say whatever you want to me. Within 15 minutes the pain will stop. If you do this continuously for 10-15 days, the stone will break down into fine powder and pass out as urine, and you won’t even know it."

The claim can be accessed here.

Fact Check 

The claim by user is FALSE. There is no scientific evidence or medical consensus supporting the claim that a mixture of methi daana, kalonji, apple cider vinegar, honey, and olive oil can naturally dissolve gallbladder stones in 15 days. The standard treatment for gallstones typically involves the removal of the gallbladder.

What are Gall Stones?

Gall Stones also known as Cholelithiasis, are hardened deposits of digestive fluid that can form in the gallbladder. The gallbladder, a small organ located just beneath the liver, stores bile a digestive fluid released into the small intestine.

There are three main pathways in the formation of gallstones:

Cholesterol supersaturation occurs when the liver produces more cholesterol than the bile can dissolve, leading to the precipitation of excess cholesterol as crystals. These crystals become trapped in the gallbladder mucus, forming what is known as gallbladder sludge. Over time, these crystals may grow and form stones, which can occlude the bile ducts and result in gallstone disease.

Excess bilirubin, a yellow pigment formed from the breakdown of red blood cells, is another factor in gallstone formation. When certain hematologic conditions cause the liver to produce too much bilirubin during the breakdown of hemoglobin, this excess bilirubin can contribute to the formation of gallstones.

Gallbladder hypomotility, or impaired contractility, is a condition where the gallbladder does not empty effectively. When the gallbladder fails to contract and empty bile properly, the bile can become concentrated, leading to the formation of gallstones.

Can Gall Stones be removed?

The treatment for gallstones is surgery to remove the gallbladder. Gallstones are typically removed through surgery because there is no duct through which they can pass naturally. The gallbladder is not an essential organ, which means you can live normally without a gallbladder. 

What are the Health Benefits Of Methi, kalonji, apple cider vinegar, honey, and olive oil?

Fenugreek (Methi) is a traditional herb renowned for its health and nutritional advantages. The seeds are packed with fiber, phospholipids, glycolipids, and essential fatty acids like oleic acid, linolenic acid, and linoleic acid, along with choline and vitamins A, B1, B2, and C. While often used as a spice to enhance the flavor of dishes globally, fenugreek is also appreciated for its medicinal benefits. It aids in managing diabetes, strengthens immunity, lowers cholesterol, and functions as an antioxidant.

Kalonji, also known as black seed, is often hailed as a miracle herb due to its long-standing history and therapeutic properties. Extensively studied, black seed is renowned for its broad range of health benefits, including antioxidant, anti-cough, gastroprotective, anti-anxiety, anti-ulcer, anti-asthmatic, immuno-modulatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory effects. Its most potent compound, thymoquinone (TQ), offers anticonvulsant, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-carcinogenic properties.

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is made from fermented juice of crushed apples, producing a pale to medium amber liquid. It retains several nutrients from apples, such as pectin, B vitamins (B1, B2, B6), biotin, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic acid, and vitamin C. Studies indicate that ACV may offer health benefits, particularly for those with diabetes, as it can lower hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) levels, reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides, and raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Additionally, it has been linked to a reduction in triglycerides and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol. Rich in nutrients, especially in unfiltered and organic varieties, ACV contains acetic acid, pectin, potassium, and calcium, which may support blood sugar regulation, weight loss, cardiovascular health, pH balance, and detoxification.

Honey is produced by honeybees from flower nectar and has been revered for its nutritional, medicinal, and industrial uses for centuries. Ancient civilizations, including the Greeks, Egyptians, and Chinese, recognized honey for its nourishing and healing properties—a tradition that continues today. Commonly used in beverages, honey remains highly stable due to its low water activity (0.56–0.62) and mildly acidic pH (around 3.9), allowing it to be stored for long periods without refrigeration. In addition to its culinary uses, honey possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties, offering protective benefits for the respiratory, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and nervous systems.

Olive oil, particularly extra virgin olive oil, offers numerous health benefits due to its rich content of polyphenols and monounsaturated fatty acids, such as oleic acid. Its antioxidant properties help maintain oxidative balance, reducing inflammation and protecting against liver damage, including preventing the progression of steatohepatitis. The polyphenols in olive oil exhibit anti-mutagenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic, anti-atherogenic, and anti-allergic effects, promoting immune function by influencing white blood cell proliferation and cytokine production. Additionally, olive oil’s monounsaturated fatty acids positively impact lipid peroxidation and provide hepatic protection.

Can methi daana, kalonji, apple cider vinegar, honey, and olive oil water dissolve gallbladder stones naturally in 15 days?

There is no scientific evidence supporting the claim that natural ingredients like methi daana, kalonji, apple cider vinegar, honey, or olive oil can dissolve gallstones in 15 days or at all. Recommending people not to remove the gallbladder when medically indicated is dangerous and potentially life-threatening. Gallstones can lead to serious complications if left untreated.

A study by Agostino Di Ciaula et. al. highlights the significant role of diet in the formation of cholesterol gallstones. It emphasizes that modifiable environmental factors, such as dietary intake, affect cholesterol synthesis in the liver, bile composition, and gallbladder motility, all of which contribute to gallstone formation. The study links obesity, insulin resistance, and poor dietary habits to increased risk, while a diet high in fiber, specific macronutrients, and vitamin C may provide protective effects. Maintaining a healthy weight through balanced energy intake, lifestyle modifications, and appropriate nutrient choices can help reduce the risk, particularly in high-risk individuals.

Findings from a study conducted by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) suggest that a high-fiber diet comprising fruits, vegetables, whole grains, brown rice, and oats combined with a reduced intake of sugar and refined carbohydrates, may significantly reduce the risk of gallstone formation. The study also found that including healthy fats such as fish oil and olive oil in the diet supports regular gallbladder contractions and emptying, further aiding in gallstone prevention.

In a conversation with The Medical Dialogues Fact Check Team, Dr K Hemanth Kumar, Consultant - Surgical Gastroenterology, GI Oncology & HPB, Robotic Surgery, Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road explained, "The gallbladder is a small organ that stores bile produced by the liver. Gallstones (medically termed cholelithiasis) are hardened deposits that form in the gallbladder. When the bile in the gallbladder becomes concentrated and the substances within it, like cholesterol, bilirubin, and calcium, exceed their solubility limits, they become crystallized and form gallstones. This formation process is categorized into 3 sections: Super Saturation, Crystal Formation, and Crystal Aggregation.

There are various factors involved in gallstone formation. High cholesterol levels in bile, incomplete gallbladder emptying, hormonal factors, hormonal factors, and certain medications are a few common contributing factors among many.

Although belief persists, there is no scientific evidence to support that a mixture of fenugreek seeds, black seeds, apple cider vinegar, honey, and olive oil can dissolve gallbladder stones. While some studies indicate that fenugreek may help reduce cholesterol levels and prevent gallstone formation in animals, there is no conclusive evidence that it can dissolve existing gallstones in humans. Some traditional remedies also mention black seeds for gallstones, but there is no scientific evidence for this either. While honey and olive oil may offer some general health benefits, no conclusive report can support their claim to dissolve gallstones. Gallstones typically require medical treatment, which may include medication or surgery, depending on the severity and size of the stones.

Gallstones, when kept in a petri dish (shallow transparent cell-culture dish) and poured with apple cider vinegar, would easily dissolve. This is because vinegar is an acetic acid. However, it’s not really possible until you remove gallstones surgically to expose them to acetic acid. Now, you may think you can drink the apple cider vinegar. But the cider goes through the digestive process, breaks down into various chemical components, enters the bloodstream, and by the time it reaches the gallbladder, it’s no longer acidic. Therefore, it won’t be effective on any stones residing in your gallbladder."

Speaking to the Medical Dialogues Fact Check Team, Dr Kiran B, consultant- Gastroenterologist, Manipal Hospital, Varthur Road broke down the individual scientific evidence of the ingredients as follows:

"1. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

• Claim: ACV can dissolve gallstones.

• Fact: There is no scientific proof that ACV can dissolve gallstones. Some anecdotal reports suggest ACV helps with gallstone pain due to its acidity, but it does not dissolve stones.

• Verdict: Not proven.

2. Black Seeds (Nigella sativa)

• Claim: Black seed oil helps dissolve gallstones.

• Fact: Some animal studies show hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory properties, but no direct evidence of gallstone dissolution in humans.

• Verdict: Promising for liver health, but not proven for gallstones.

3. Fenugreek Seeds

• Claim: They prevent or dissolve gallstones.

• Fact: A few animal studies show fenugreek may reduce cholesterol in bile, which could potentially help prevent gallstone formation, not dissolve existing ones.

• Verdict: May help in prevention, not treatment.

4. Honey

• Claim: Natural remedy for gallstones.

• Fact: There’s no evidence that honey has any effect on gallstones beyond general health benefits.

• Verdict: No proven role in dissolving stones.

5. Olive Oil

• Claim: Olive oil flushes out gallstones.

• Fact: The idea of a “gallbladder flush” using olive oil is not supported by science. What people often pass during a flush are soap-like substances, not actual gallstones.

• Verdict: Myth; olive oil doesn’t dissolve stones."

He further added, "While lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet and regular exercise can help prevent gallstones, there is no scientific evidence supporting the use of natural remedies like the combination mentioned above to dissolve existing gallstones. If you suspect you have gallstones or are experiencing symptoms, it's crucial to consult a healthcare professional for appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Relying on unproven natural remedies can delay necessary medical intervention and may lead to complications."

Medical Dialogues Fact Check 

The claim that a mixture of methi daana, kalonji, apple cider vinegar, honey, and olive oil water can dissolve gallstones in 15 days is completely FALSE. No scientific evidence or medical consensus basis supports this.

Hence, the claim by the user is FALSE.