Beef gall, also known as ox gall or cattle gallstones, refers to the gallstones found in the gallbladders of cattle. These gallstones have become increasingly valuable in recent years, especially in Asian markets, where they are used in traditional medicines In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about beef gall, including what it is, what it’s used for, and why demand has skyrocketed
What Exactly Are Beef Gallstones?
Beef gallstones, known in science as “bovis calculus” are stone-like masses that can form in the gallbladders of cattle. The gallbladder is an organ that stores and concentrates bile a digestive fluid produced by the liver.
Gallstones form when bile contains too much cholesterol or bilirubin, which causes the liquids to harden into crystalized solids. So essentially beef gallstones are hardened chunks of cow bile. They can range considerably in size from tiny pebbles to large masses over 1 inch across. Their color also varies, from yellowish-brown to dark greenish-brown.
Beef gallstones are extremely rare – estimates suggest only about 1 in every 1,000 cattle produce them. Older cows (usually over 6 years old) are more prone to developing gallstones, though they can occasionally occur in younger cattle. The prevalence also depends on factors like diet, genetics, and environment.
Traditional Medicinal Uses in Asia
While considered a useless or low-value byproduct in most of the world, beef gallstones are highly coveted in several Asian countries. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), ox gallstones are called “niuhuang” and believed to have potent healing properties.
They have been used for over 2000 years in TCM as a treatment for strokes, heart disease, seizures, infections, inflammation, and to “detoxify” the body. The gallstones are believed to clear heat, remove toxins, open meridians, improve circulation, and calm the mind.
In TCM, beef gallstones are assigned properties of sweet, salty, cold, and slippery. They are associated with the heart, liver, and gallbladder meridians. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners prescribe Niuhuang in various forms – it may be ground up into powders, dissolved into liquids, or used in combination formulas.
Other Asian medical systems, including Traditional Vietnamese medicine and Traditional Korean medicine, also utilize cattle gallstones. Demand has risen sharply for beef gall as traditional medicine grows more popular worldwide.
Modern Scientific Research on Medicinal Uses
While long utilized in traditional folk medicine, researchers have also begun studying whether beef gallstones have scientifically verified medicinal properties. So far, some research does suggest legitimate benefits:
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Improved blood circulation and reduced clotting – Beef gallstone extracts may help dilate blood vessels and prevent clots, which could help treat cardiovascular diseases.
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Anti-inflammatory effects – Compounds in beef gallstones demonstrate anti-inflammatory actions in cells and animals. This could help with pain relief.
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Neuroprotective effects – Certain components show promise at protecting nerve cells and improving outcomes after stroke or brain trauma in animal studies.
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Antioxidant properties – The substances in beef gallstones act as antioxidants which could counter cell damage by reactive oxygen molecules.
However, much more research is still needed to confirm efficacy and safety for humans. At this time, beef gallstone medicine remains largely unregulated with no verified medical indications.
Beef Gallstone Industry: Demand, Pricing, and Legalities
The booming demand, combined with rarity, has led to incredible prices being paid for high-quality beef gallstones. Prices currently range from $20 to $65 per gram at retail in Asia – rivaling costs for precious metals, gems, or pharmaceuticals.
Wholesale prices for raw beef gallstones direct from slaughterhouses are far lower, but still may reach into the thousands of dollars per kilogram.
The valuable gallstones have led to a lucrative underground trade and even criminal activity. There have been thefts at meat processing plants, and some cattle ranchers are illegally selling stones “out the back door.”
However, cattle gallstones are legal to harvest, sell, and export in most parts of the world, including the United States. The USDA has actually encouraged American beef producers to collect gallstones and take advantage of demand from importers in Asia.
The US and Brazil are currently the leading exporters of raw beef gallstones, collectively supplying 85-90% of global production. However, total worldwide supply is tiny – current estimates suggest less than 2 metric tons are harvested annually across all nations combined.
Gallstone Collection and Processing
Beef gallstones are retrieved from the gallbladders of cattle during processing at slaughterhouses. But due to their rarity, less than 1% of cattle will have gallstones suitable for medicinal use.
The gallbladder is first cut away from the liver during evisceration. It must then be slit open by hand and carefully examined for any stones present. Gallstones are picked out and segregated for cleaning and further processing.
Only the highest quality stones are selected, based on criteria like:
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Large size – At least 0.5 inches across
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Whole – Fully intact, not broken fragments
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Solid – Hard, not crumbling or brittle
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Color – Rich yellow-brown to green-brown
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Shape – Round, oval or pyramidal
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Luster – Glossy, like jade
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Odor – Earthy, aromatic scent
Lower grade stones may be discarded or sold for other applications like art supplies. Top grade gallstones are dried, sterilized and packaged to be sold to traders or exporters.
Some processors grind the raw gallstones into medicinal powders, tinctures, or pills according to traditional Chinese medicine formulas before export.
How does the gallbladder help other organs?
Your gallbladder is connected to other parts of your digestive system through a series of bile ducts called the biliary tract. The biliary tract (sometimes called biliary system or biliary tree) is a pipe-like system that carries bile from your liver to your small intestine.
How are gallbladder issues treated?
Most gallbladder issues are treated with the removal of your gallbladder. Surgery to remove your gallbladder is called a cholecystectomy. Your gallbladder is not an essential organ. This means you can live a normal life without a gallbladder. When a surgeon removes your gallbladder, bile will flow out of your bile ducts directly into your digestive system instead of being stored in your gallbladder first.
Surgeons can perform cholecystectomies three ways:
- Open cholecystectomy: With open surgery, your surgeon operates through one large incision. Your surgeon may perform an open cholecystectomy if your gallbladder is severely inflamed or scarred.
- Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: With laparoscopic surgery, your surgeon operates through a few small incisions. Laparoscopic surgery generally leads to a faster recovery, less pain and smaller scars. In most cases, cholecystectomies will be performed laparoscopically.
- Robotic cholecystectomy: This is a more recent method and is available in a small number of centers.
The 12 Signs that Your Gallbladder is in DANGER
FAQ
What is gall liquid used for?
A wetting agent used for smooth washes and to enhance flow when mixed directly with watercolour.
Is beef bile good for you?
What are beef gallstones used for?
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Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM):Cattle gallstones, or Calculus bovis (牛黃), are a valuable ingredient in traditional Chinese herbal remedies. They are believed to possess therapeutic properties and have been used for centuries to treat various conditions.
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Stroke and Brain Health:One of the primary uses of gallstones in TCM is in treating stroke and protecting the brain from damage caused by interrupted blood flow. Research suggests that certain components in gallstones, like bile acids and amino acids, may help block harmful chemical processes in the brain, improve blood flow, and reduce inflammation, potentially extending the “therapeutic window” for stroke patients.
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Other Uses:Beyond stroke treatment, gallstones are also used in traditional medicine to address other conditions, such as high fever, convulsion, headaches, low spirits, and even sexual dysfunction. Some practitioners also believe they can help with hepatitis, heart, and liver illnesses.
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Valuable Commodity:Due to their perceived therapeutic properties and limited availability, cattle gallstones are a highly sought-after and valuable commodity, particularly in Asian countries.
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Extraction and Use:Gallstones are typically extracted from cattle during slaughter, with the gallbladder carefully removed and the bile filtered to collect the stones. They are then cleaned, dried, and can be used either in their natural form or as an ingredient in proprietary Chinese medicines.
How is ox gall obtained?
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Source:Ox gall comes from the gallbladder of cattle.
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Composition:It’s a complex mixture of bile acids, including taurocholic acid and glycocholic acid, as well as cholesterol, lecithin, and other natural products.
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Extraction:The bile is extracted from the gallbladder, then it can be dried to form a powder or used directly as a liquid.
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Preparation:Ox gall powder is often prepared by hydrolyzing the fresh bile with sodium hydroxide and purified water, followed by oxidation and filtration.
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Uses:It’s used as a surfactant and wetting agent in watercolor painting, marbling, and other artistic techniques. It’s also used in microbiology for selective bacterial growth media.
What does beef bile do?
Bile primarily serves to break down fats and transport waste during digestion. Beef bile, a digestive fluid found in cattle, is similar to human bile. Beef bile helps the cow with digestion and waste disposal. What we are discussing here, are ox gallstones. In the gallbladders of cattle, gallstones are mineral deposits (and not organic matter).
Where does beef bile come from?
Beef bile is a digestive secretion found in the gastrointestinal tract of cattle, such as cows. This naturally-produced fluid plays a crucial role in breaking down fats and eliminating waste during digestion. Originating in the liver of the animal, beef bile is stored in the gallbladder, where it remains until it is needed for digestion.
What does a cow gallstone look like?
Cow Gallstones explained that the gallstones are found in the gallbladder of cattle (usually older cattle) and are typically “round, oval or pyramidal” with a “golden yellow, orange-brown or dark brown color.” They are assessed in quality by their size, color, texture, and state of conservation —eerily close to how a diamond is graded.
Where are gallstones found in cattle?
Gallstones can form in the gall bladder of cattle, and are retrieved at the abattoir during the bile extraction process on the eviscera table. They are most commonly found in older slaughter animals – cows and bulls – but their presence, frequency and quality can be influenced by a wide range of factors, such as access to bore water, for example.
How much do bovine gallstones cost?
Bovine gallstones have sold for $20,000 a kilogram in Australia but, as the Irish Independent reported last week, more recent sales in China have reached $55,880. This is nuts. Why? Gallstones are hard crystalline masses formed in the gallbladder or in bile ducts from digestive fluids like bile pigments, calcium and cholesterol.
Do Bovines have gallstones?
Many bovines develop gallstones, primarily based on their age and diet. They are essentially located in the gallbladder. The bovine race is quite diverse. Depending on the nation, it may include cows, oxen bulls, buffaloes, zebus, bisons, yaks, and gaurs. Ox gallstones are used in the pharmacopeia.