How to Make Bile Capsules – A Simple DIY Guide to Avoid the Bitterness
When Should You Take Bile?
Bile plays a vital role in maintaining human health. Under normal conditions, the body produces 800–1000ml of bile daily, which is essential for digesting and absorbing nutrients. However, in certain medical situations—such as obstructive jaundice, intrahepatic bile duct stones, common bile duct stones, or after T-tube drainage—bile is often lost. This can lead to imbalances in electrolytes and nutrient deficiencies.
In these cases, patients may consider reintroducing filtered bile into the body to help restore electrolyte and pH balance, improve appetite and nutrition, and reduce medical costs—since the bile comes from their own body, it’s essentially free.
Why Turn Bile Into Capsules?
While drinking bile directly is possible, its naturally bitter and salty taste is often hard to tolerate—even when mixed with orange juice or sesame paste. A more effective solution is to encapsulate the bile into easy-to-swallow capsules. This not only masks the unpleasant taste but also makes the process more hygienic, portable, and acceptable for long-term use.
Tools You'll Need
- A bottle of bile (collected via drainage)
- Gauze for filtering
- Empty capsules
- Disposable gloves
- Rubber bands
- Frying pan and spatula
- Sesame paste (or crushed cookies as a substitute)
- Several clean bowls or bottles (for storing capsules)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 – Filter the Bile
Bile collected from patients may contain inflammatory debris. To remove impurities, wash your hands and wear disposable gloves. Fold a piece of gauze in two layers, place it over the mouth of the bile bottle, and secure it with a rubber band. Invert the bottle and allow the bile to pass through the gauze into a clean container.
Step 2 – Cook the Bile
Pour the filtered bile into a frying pan and bring it to a boil (100°C/212°F). Then reduce to low heat and continue simmering for at least 10 minutes to ensure sterilization. Stir constantly with a spatula. When the mixture becomes thick and moisture is reduced to about 10%, add powdered sesame paste (or cookie crumbs). Continue stirring until the mixture turns into a dry, crumbly powder.
Step 3 – Fill and Assemble the Capsules
Separate the empty capsules and insert the capsule bodies into the bottom tray of a MABS capsule filling tray. Place the funnel plate on top to hold the capsules steady.
Use the provided capsule spoon to pour the powdered bile mixture into the tray. For small batches, fill the capsules manually using the spoon. For larger quantities, use a scraper to evenly distribute the powder across all capsules.
Once filled, remove the funnel plate and place the capsule tops onto the bodies. Press gently to close the capsules.
Finally, use a small brush to clean off any excess powder. Your homemade bile capsules are now ready for use!
