Uses for Gall

As far back as the seventh century A.D, bear gall has been used in traditional Asian medicine. According to a May, 2011, Associated Press article by Sean Yoong, bear gall is currently sold in half of traditional medicine shops throughout China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Myanmar and Vietnam. In some Asian countries, bears are raised in captivity on farms where their gall is regularly harvested by means of a permanent port in the bear's abdomen. This bile then appears in stores in the form of powders, pills and ointments.

Natural Uses

• Gall, more commonly known as bile, is a yellowish, alkaline fluid which is an important element in the digestive system of most vertebrates. It is secreted by the liver and then stored and concentrated in the gallbladder. After food is ingested, the gallbladder releases the bile into the upper portion of the small intestine. The bile breaks down fats and helps with the absorption of certain vitamins. Later in the digestive process, most of the bile is absorbed and recycled by the body.

Medicinal Uses

• Bile contains ursodeoxycholic acid, which helps to regulate the amount of cholesterol in the blood by inhibiting the absorption and secretion of cholesterol. Synthetic ursodeoxycholic acid is prescribed by doctors to help dissolve gallstones and treat liver disease. Bear gall has a naturally occurring, high concentration of ursodeoxycholic acid, and long before scientists understood the significance of this acid, ancient Chinese, Arabian and Indian medical practitioners realized bear gall was effective in treating certain conditions. They began prescribing it not only for gallstones and liver disease but for a vast range of ailments, such as rheumatism, poor eyesight, sore throats, muscle aches, epilepsy and hemorrhoids.

Cosmetic Uses

• Less commonly, the gall harvested from bears is used in cosmetic products. In an EarthTrust article written by Keith and Suzie Chang Highley, the authors describe visiting a Chinese bear farm, where they were shown a bear gall shower gel. The bottle advertised that it would eliminate skin inflammation and provide various nutrients that would keep skin smooth and soft. No claims were made as to exactly what nutrients it provided.

Considerations

• Bear gall is often harvested and transported illegally. Even where and when the gall is harvested legally, the bears often suffer a great deal. Many animal rights activists and organizations such as Humane Society International would like to see the practice eradicated. Since ursodeoxycholic acid can be manufactured by chemical companies, the benefits of bear gall can be reaped without inflicting trauma to bears.