The Gallbladder: Your Body’s Unsung Hero (and Thanksgiving Guardian)

By Maria Chah, DOM, AP & Jennifer Troyan

Thanksgiving is almost here - a time when the dinner table turns into a celebration of abundance. Juicy turkey, creamy scalloped potatoes, buttery rolls, mac and cheese, and maybe even that irresistible glazed ham. It’s delicious... and it’s also a grease fest for your liver and gallbladder.

But before you reach for seconds, it’s worth pausing to ask:

What exactly does your gallbladder do, and why does it matter so much?

 

The Dynamic Duo: Liver and Gallbladder

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the liver and gallbladder are deeply connected - like yin and yang.

  • The liver is yin: the planner, visionary, and gentle organizer of flow.
  • The gallbladder is yang: the doer, the one who takes action and makes decisions.

Together, they support your body’s ability to digest fats, release toxins, and move energy smoothly.

From a biological point of view, your gallbladder stores and releases bile - a substance that helps break down fats so they can be converted from fat-soluble to water-soluble and eliminated. When everything is working well, this process keeps your digestion light, your energy steady, and your body free of toxic buildup.

When the Gallbladder Gets “Stuck”

Sometimes, especially after heavy or greasy meals, the bile can become thick or sluggish. If it sits too long, it can harden into what we call gallstones.

You might notice signs such as:

  • Dull or sharp pain under the right rib cage
  • Discomfort that radiates into your back or right shoulder
  • Bloating, burping, or floating stools
  • Yellowish eyes or skin
  • Fatigue after eating rich foods

In TCM terms, this is called “damp heat” - a mix of congestion (dampness) and irritation (heat) that blocks the natural flow of bile and energy. Over time, this blockage can affect more than your digestion; it can impact your clarity, courage, and decision-making.

The Emotional Side of the Gallbladder

Here’s where the wisdom of TCM really shines. The gallbladder isn’t just a physical organ - it’s also tied to your emotional world.

It’s known as the organ of courage and decisiveness.

When your gallbladder energy is strong, you feel confident, clear, and capable of taking bold action. When it’s weak or stagnant, you might feel hesitant, fearful, or “stuck” in indecision.

Ever heard someone say, “You’ve got the gall to do that”? That phrase comes from this very idea - the gallbladder gives you the gall, or courage, to act.

So, as you sit down at the Thanksgiving table, consider that your gallbladder is not just digesting your meal - it’s digesting your life’s experiences and helping you move forward with purpose.

Caring for Your Gallbladder

The good news? The gallbladder is one of the easier organs to support and repair - and prevention goes a long way.

Here are a few TCM-inspired tips to keep your gallbladder (and liver) happy:

  1. Eat mindfully. Enjoy rich foods, but balance them with lighter vegetables, lemon, or bitter greens like dandelion or arugula to help stimulate bile flow.
  2. Move your body. Gentle movement, especially after meals, helps keep liver and gallbladder qi (life force energy) flowing.
  3. Manage stress. Emotional stagnation - like resentment or indecision - can create physical stagnation. Take deep breaths, journal, or talk things out.
  4. Seasonal cleanses. Some practitioners, like Dr. Maria, recommend gentle gallbladder and liver flushes in spring or fall (with guidance from your physician). Her version includes several days of juicing with apple, lemon, celery, and malic acid, plus castor oil packs and magnesium support. Here is a link to the one she uses from Green Willow Homestead. Dr. Maria recommends this protocol Spring or Fall or every 2 years. Of course, it can be done as needed.

(Always check with your healthcare provider before trying any cleanse, especially if gallstones are present. Ultrasounds can confirm whether stones are small enough - under “gumball” size - to safely pass.)

 

From Yang to Yin: Finding Balance

The gallbladder’s yang energy gives us courage and momentum - but too much yang (from stress, anger, or rich foods) can create heat and inflammation. Balancing that fiery drive with yin practices - like rest, hydration, and emotional reflection - keeps both the liver and gallbladder in harmony.

So this Thanksgiving, honor your body’s rhythm. Enjoy your meal, savor the flavors, and thank your gallbladder for the quiet, powerful work it does behind the scenes - transforming, releasing, and giving you the gall to live boldly.

Happy Thanksgiving! May you eat good food and enjoy the company of family and friends.

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Good health to you all!

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Information in this article and on this website is intended for informational or educational purposes only. This information does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have questions about a medical condition, always seek the advice of a doctor or other qualified health professional.

To learn more about our services, please contact our office at 561-249-0447 for a consultation on how to start your annual wellness optimization. During the consultation, we can provide guidance on the best treatment modalities to improve or enhance your state of wellness the TCM way.

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