Bile stones of cows, which were previously unnoticed in the livestock sector but have now become one of the most expensive substances in the world, have caused a great sensation in global markets. For the medical world, these stones, which are of critical importance, are now sold at a price higher than gold per gram.
Milli.Az reports that the price of one ounce (approximately 28.3 grams) of cattle bile stones has risen to $5,800 (approximately 9,860 AZN).
In modern animal husbandry, since animals are slaughtered at a younger age, it has become difficult for these stones to form naturally. As supply decreases, the price has reached a historic peak.
Known in traditional Chinese medicine as "Niu Huang," this substance has been used for thousands of years due to its medicinal properties:
It is a key ingredient in drugs used for the treatment of paralysis and nervous system diseases.
It is used as raw material in hypertension and various heart diseases.
It is considered the most effective natural source to protect the liver in the pharmaceutical industry.
The extreme rise in prices of these stones has caused new security problems in countries such as Brazil, Australia, and the USA. It is reported that attacks on farms and slaughterhouses to seize only these stones have increased.
Since access to natural stones has become difficult, Chinese scientists have begun producing "cultivated" bile stones in laboratory conditions. Although it is expected that these alternatives will stop the price increase, the medical world still accepts naturally obtained stones as the "most valuable choice."