Become an Ayurvedic Healer: Explore our Certification Courses
College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion
Enroll Now
 
Joyful Belly College of Ayurveda

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion


Cholagogue - Foods & Herbs ListCLASSIFICATION OF FOOD, HERBS, & LIFESTYLE

MORE OPTIONSDown Triangle

ALL CATEGORIES

GUNAS

TASTES

EFFECTS

HERBAL ACTIONS

SEASONS

CONCERNS

HOW AYURVEDA WORKS

Categories / Herbal-action / Liver-Gallbladder / cholagogue
Print cholagogue
Share on Social Media
Share Content with Friends & Clients

Click one of the buttons above, or cut and paste the following link to share this page with your network. This link will automatically track your referrals to Joyful Belly:

Share URL for cholagogue

Copy Link

About Sharing Content & Referrals.

Reported by John Immel Asheville, NC
Browse Recipes

AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE ON CHOLAGOGUE

Cholagogues stimulate the production & release of bile from the liver & gallbladder. This refreshes and cleanses these organs, as well as increases bile in the small intestines.

Cholagogues encourage the gallbladder to release bile, and the the liver to produce and dilute bile. This action cleanses both the liver and gallbladder, and helps to prevent gallstones. As the liver is naturally congested in Spring, cholagogues are an essential remedy from February to May.

Effect on the Blood

Cholagogues refresh the liver by cleansing it of hot, toxic bile, improving the liver's ability to detoxify and normalize blood chemistry. For this reason cholagogues have an alterative, detoxifying effect on the blood. Chologogues cool the blood, generally reducing Pitta and Kapha. When overused, cholagogues dry out the liver and can increase Vata.

Effect on Fat Metabolism & Triglycerides

Since bile is fatty and the primary pathway for cholesterol metabolism, releasing bile also reduces cholesterol and boosts fat metabolism. Cholagogues directly reduce triglyceride levels in the blood (hypolipidemic).

Effect on Bowel Elimination

As bile is a natural digestive irritant, cholagogues have a laxative effect on the bowels. Kapha individuals with thick, sluggish bile often suffer from constipation. A tell-tale sign of this is light colored stools. Chologogues are the laxative of choice for constipation due to bile insufficiency.

What kinds of supplements are cholagogues?

Anything bitter, sour, our oily has a cholagogue effect, as does fiber. Some famous examples include.

Herb Drug Interaction Risk

Anything that strengthens or cleanses the liver can clear drugs more quickly, requiring a higher dose.

INGREDIENTS WITH CHOLAGOGUE QUALITY

View By:
Browse Cholagogue Recipes

HERBS & SUPPLEMENTS WITH CHOLAGOGUE QUALITY

View By:

OTHER HERB ACTIONS AFFECTING LIVER-GALLBLADDER

Berberine
Betaine
Bitter
Cholagogue
Decongests-Liver
Hepatoprotective
Livotonic

HELPFUL FOR*

'Cholagogue' may be helpful for these symptoms and causes below.
TYPE: HERBAL_ACTION

Cholagogue Recipes Listed By Strength

Browse By Popularity

About the Author

John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda. His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful. John also directs the Joyful Belly College of Ayurveda, offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.

John's hobbies & specialties include advanced digestive disorders, medieval Catholic philosophy, & botany. He holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University. His wife and family of 7 kids live in Asheville, NC.

Learn More

Spring Diet

The season is about to shift into spring. Are you ready?

Get The Spring Diet

upcoming courses

Apply for Scholarship. Monhly payment plans available.

Fundamentals of Virtue Psychology ($2,699)

Enroll for $183 / month. Starts Aug 2025.

Ayurvedic Herbalist ($4,999)

Enroll for $299 / month. Starts Aug 2025.

Fundamentals of Ayurvedic Medicine - 2 Year Counselor Certification ($7,999)

Enroll for $250 / month. Starts Aug 2025.

Panchakarma Specialist ($5,999)

Enroll for $250 / month. Starts Aug 2025.

Master Ayurvedic Digestion & Nutrition 500 Hour Certification Program ($4,499)

Enroll for $299 / month. Starts Oct 2025.

About the College

What is Ayurveda?

Founder of Joyful Belly Ayurveda, John Immel, answers the question ‘What is Ayurveda?’

Improve Enzyme output & Master your Digestion

Improve Enzyme output & Master your Digestion

Watch this Sample Class
BOOKS BY JOYFUL BELLY

BOOKS BY JOYFUL BELLY

GET YOUR FREE CHART
Master Ayurvedic Digestion & Nutrition

Master Ayurvedic Digestion & Nutrition

Enroll Today

Join Joyful Belly

Want our top Ayurvedic recipes and health tips?
Subscribe to our free newsletter!

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information and products on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.