Cholagogue

Stimulates the release of bile from the gallbladder

Cholagogues stimulate the gallbladder to release stored bile into the gut, supporting fat digestion and the body's elimination of waste through the bile. They pair naturally with bitters and liver herbs.

Cholagogue is a sub-action of Hepatic. Where hepatic acts on and supports the liver, cholagogue is its narrower, more targeted form.

Herbs with a cholagogue action (15)

Angelica

Angelica archangelica

AntispasmodicCarminativeCholagogueBitter

Barberry

Berberis spp.

AntimicrobialAntiemeticBitterCholagogue

Calendula

Calendula officinalis

VulneraryAnti-inflammatoryLymphaticStyptic

Cascara sagrada

Rhamnus purshiana

CholagogueAntiparasiticLaxativeBitter

Dandelion

Taraxacum officinale

BitterCholagogueCholereticDiuretic

German Chamomile

Matricaria chamomilla

Anti-inflammatoryAntispasmodicAntiallergicAntibacterial

Globe Artichoke

Cynara scolymus

AntioxidantBitterCholereticCholagogue

Goldenseal

Hydrastis canadensis

AntimicrobialBitterMucous Membrane TonicAnticatarrhal

Greater Celandine

Chelidonium majus

DiureticAnalgesicAntispasmodicAlterative

Iris

Iris versicolor

BitterAlterativeAnti-inflammatoryAstringent

Milk Thistle

Silybum marianum

HepatoprotectiveAntioxidantCholereticCholagogue

Peppermint

Mentha × piperita

AntiemeticAntitussiveAntimicrobialAntispasmodic

Rhubarb

Rheum palmatum

BitterCholagogueAntimicrobialAnticancer

Turmeric

Curcuma longa

Anti-inflammatoryAntioxidantCholereticCholagogue

Yellow Dock

Rumex crispus

AlterativeLaxativeBitterCholagogue