Kidney
Stones
Natural Remedies
|
 |
Passing a
kidney stone can be the most painful experience ever and the pain has
been compared to giving birth. Find out what natural remedies can speed
this up and prevent it from happening again in the future. |
 |
Diet Change - This is the second step. A diet change will prevent future stone formation. Click here to jump right to the details.
Natural Remedies - Natural remedies can be considered once you've started to drink more water and made some adjustment to your diet. To go right to natural remedies, click here.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is a kidney stone?
How common is this
problem?
What are the typical
sizes of the stones?
What symptoms can I
expect?
How would my doctor
diagnose it?
What causes it and
what are some risk factors?
Can I use natural
and
herbal remedies and supplements to cure it?
What diet should I
consider?
Does eating certain
foods increase the risk of getting them?
Foods you may want
to consider taking to reduce the risk
Does kidney
cleansing programs work?
What are some
homeopathic remedies?
Can I suffer from
stones during pregnancy? What can I do about it?
Video - Kidney Stones
What are some natural and home remedies for kidney stones?
Below is a list of natural remedies, vitamins and minerals that have been suggested for treating and curing kidney stones.| Natural Remedy | What experts say about them |
| Water |  Water is a natural remedy. We had to put this here to remind you of the importance of drinking enough water. Dose: Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water daily. |
| Magnesium |
 Taking magnesium reduces the formation of new kidney stones. Magnesium reduces oxalate content in urine. This will reduce the formation of calcium stones. Dose: Take 250 mg twice daily with meals. |
| Vitamin
B6 (Pyridoxine) |
 Studies show that taking vitamin B6 with magnesium also reduces oxalate content in urine. Dose: Take 50 mg once daily. |
| Vitamin A | Research studies suggest that low levels of vitamin A could increase your risk of developing kidney stones. Dose: A dosage of 5,000 IU daily has been suggested by experts to prevent kidney stone formation. |
| Vitamin E | Animal and human studies suggest that the antioxidant benefits of vitamin E can prevent oxalate crystal formation. Dose: A dosage of 400 IU daily has been recommended by experts. |
| Inositol
hexaphosphate (IP-6) |
In addition to inositol's ability to help with cancer prevention, research studies seem to show that IP-6 can be effective for preventing kidney stone formation. Dose: Take 120 mg daily. |
| Aloe vera | 
Aloe vera is traditionally used to dissolve calcium kidney stones as it contains citrate and can reduce oxalate in the urine. This is shown in human studies. Dose: Drink up to 250 mL (8 ounces) daily. |
| Uva ursi |
Helpful This herb is a traditional folk remedy to help cure bladder infection. It is believed to help with kidney stones as well. Dose: Take 250 to 500 mg of the powdered extract three times daily. |
| Horsetail | Helpful This herb is used traditionally in Europe as a diuretic. It is also used to treat kidney stones. Dose: Dosage suggested is to start with 300 mg taken three times daily and increasing up to 2 grams three times daily. |
| Juniper | Helpful Juniper is used commonly around the world and is suggested for treating bladder infection and bladder stones. Dose: Use 2 to 3 grams of the dried berries boiled in 150 mL of water taken three times daily has been suggested. |
| Dandelion root | Helpful Native American medicine used dandelion to treat kidney disease. Animal studies show that it has a diuretic effect. Dose: Use 2 to 8 grams of the dried root made by decoction (boiled in water) has been suggested. |
| Marshmallow | This
herb has been traditionally suggested
for cleansing the kidney of stones. |
| Gravel root | This
herb has been traditionally used to
treat kidney stones. |
| Parsley | Parsley
is traditionally suggested to be
helpful for curing kidney stones. |
| Goldenrod | This
herb is used traditionally as part of an "irrigation therapy" for
treating kidney stones. Animal studies show that goldenrod has a
diuretic effect. It is often used with large amounts of water intake to cleanse the kidney of stones. |
| Hydrangea | Hydranegea
is an herb traditionally
suggested for cleansing the kidney of stones. |
What is a kidney stone?
Kidney stones,
also known as renal
calculi or urinary calculi, are rock-like crystals that form inside the
kidneys or in the
urinary bladder.
These crystals may be made up of calcium, magnesium, phosphate, cystine or uric acid. 80% of the cases the stones found are made up of calcium oxalate crystals. The remaining 5 to 10% are made up of uric acid. A rare type of stones is struvite stones that are produced by bacteria in those suffering from urinary tract infections.
These crystals may be made up of calcium, magnesium, phosphate, cystine or uric acid. 80% of the cases the stones found are made up of calcium oxalate crystals. The remaining 5 to 10% are made up of uric acid. A rare type of stones is struvite stones that are produced by bacteria in those suffering from urinary tract infections.
How common is this problem?
It is
estimated that about 10 to 15% of United States adults will
get stones
in the kidney. Dietary
habits are a major cause of the increase in stone formations.
The North American diet, unfortunately, is high in fat, protein and sugar and low in fiber. Women are not immune to this condition either.
The North American diet, unfortunately, is high in fat, protein and sugar and low in fiber. Women are not immune to this condition either.
What are the typical sizes of kidney stones?
The size of the stones various from the size of a grain of sand to large stones the size of a marble.The table below gives you an idea of how the size of the stone can affect the treatment options.
| Stone size | What can you expect |
| smaller
than 2 mm |
These stones pass
without any symptoms. You may not even know that you have kidney stones. |
| between 2
to 4 mm |
These may block the
flow of urine and cause severe pain and other symptoms of
having
stones in the kidneys. 90% of time, these stones will pass on their own. But oh, the pain you will experience!! |
| over 6 mm |
More pain!! Medical treatment will be required 99% of the time. Ultrasound waves (extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy) therapy would be considered to break these larger stones so that they can pass. Worst case, surgery may be required. |
Picture of a kidney stone (ouch!!)
(6 x 8 mm)
What symptoms can I expect if I have kidney stones?
The
severity of the symptoms depends on how large the stones are and
whether
the blockage is partial or complete. Complete blockage of the urine
flow by a large stone is a medical emergency as it can lead to damage
to
the kidney and bladder and kidney infection. Smaller stones usually can
be passed in the urine by itself and you don't usually experience any
symptoms.
Symptoms of having stones may include:
Symptoms of having stones may include:
- nausea and vomiting
- pain, often very severe, near the kidney area, on one side or near the lower back, belly or in the groin.
- frequent urination
- blood, pus or substances appearing in urine
- cloudy urine
- fever and chills (a sign possible severe blockage and/or possible infection)
How would my doctor diagnose it?
Your
family doctor can send you to a lab to get an ultrasound. They may be
able to see the location, size and quantity of stones in the kidneys.
X-ray image of the kidney can also be done.
Smaller stones may pass on their own causing no symptoms. Larger stones may required medical treatment either with a non-surgical lithotripsy machine ("stone cracker") or (worst case) surgery.
Smaller stones may pass on their own causing no symptoms. Larger stones may required medical treatment either with a non-surgical lithotripsy machine ("stone cracker") or (worst case) surgery.
What causes kidney stones and what are some risk factors?
There are many
different theories as to why some people develop kidney
stones and others do not.
Experts believe that dietary habit is a major factor for the increased risk of getting stones in the kidney. Other factors that may be possible include:
Experts believe that dietary habit is a major factor for the increased risk of getting stones in the kidney. Other factors that may be possible include:
-
dehydration
-
urinary pH imbalance (high acidity promotes the formation of uric acid kidney stones)
-
insufficient water intake leading to dehydration
-
being overweight / obesity
-
lack of physical activity
-
deficiency in minerals such as potassium and magnesium
-
allergic reactions or sensitivity to certain foods
-
infections that interferes with urine flow
-
genetic factors that affects kidney function
-
genetic disorder affecting the body's ability to process calcium
-
various metabolic diseases that make kidney stones more likely to be formed (such as sarcoidosis, vitamin D toxicity, cancer, hyperparathyroidism, high levels of cystine in urine, Cushing's syndrome and others)
Can I use natural or herbal remedies to cure it?
Yes.
Natural remedies and a dietary change are much more
effective for preventing the formation of new stones than
curing the large stones you already have. Once the larger
stones are removed or passed out of your kidney, natural remedies can
be used to prevent stones from forming in the future.
What diet should I consider if I suffer from kidney stones?
The most important thing...First and foremost, make sure you drink enough water to prevent dehydration. Dehydration causes the urine to be more concentrated and that increases the chance of stone formation. Experts recommend drinking a minimum of 1.5 Liters (about 6 glasses) of water daily. Drinking 8 to 10 glasses is even better. This is THE best way to avoid kidney stones.
If the kidney stones are made up of calcium...
It
is mostly likely caused by the body excreting too much
calcium into the urine (called hypercalciuria). A diet low in calcium
is recommended. Doctors may prescribe potassium citrate to increase
urine levels of citrate. Citrate prevents the formation of calcium
stones.
Foods that cause high oxalate levels in the urine increases the risk of calcium stone formation. Avoid foods with high oxalate content such as rhubarb, spinach, cocoa, nuts, pepper and tea.
Foods that cause high oxalate levels in the urine increases the risk of calcium stone formation. Avoid foods with high oxalate content such as rhubarb, spinach, cocoa, nuts, pepper and tea.
If the kidney stones are made up of uric acid...
A diet
that is low in meat,
fish and poultry will help reduce the formation of these stones. Eating
these foods causes more uric acid to be formed in the blood and
excreted into the urine.
Does eating certain foods increase the risk of developing kidney stones? Foods to try to avoid.
Yes. Your diet can either increase or decrease the risk of stone formation. How to avoid kidney stones? Let's start by seeing what you are eating...| Foods to AVOID | What experts say about them |
| Rhubarb Spinach Chocolate Soybeans Cocoa Nuts Starfruit Pepper Tea |
For calcium stones... These foods are high in oxalate content. A high level of oxalate in urine increases calcium stone formation. |
| Dairy
products (milk and cheese) |
For calcium stones... Common sense would tell you to cut out calcium intake if you suffer from calcium kidney stones. However, current studies show that calcium in your diet binds oxalate in the gut and reduces the amount that gets in. So less oxalate gets into your bloodstream and thus less of it shows up in urine. Check with your doctor if you plan on taking additional calcium supplements. |
| Meat Fish Poultry |
For uric acid stones... These foods increases uric acid levels in the urine. Avoid or cut down eating them if possible. Population studies showed that eating more protein increases the risk of uric acid kidney stones. |
| Alcohol Caffeine salt |
For any types of stones... Avoid liquids that might dehydrate you. Water is the best "natural remedy" for kidney stones. As well, caffeinated drinks cause more calcium to show up in the urine. However population studies show that caffeine seems to protect against kidney stone formation. Until we see clear evidence of benefit or harm, limit your caffeine intake to a reasonable level. |
| Vitamin C | Avoid
taking too much vitamin C. Limit it to less than 2,000 mg daily.
Studies done in human show that vitamin C is converted to oxalate and
this can increase the risk of forming calcium oxalate stones in the
kidney. |
Foods you may want to consider taking to reduce the risk of kidney stone formation. Here is the list of foods to take.
| Foods to TAKE | What experts say about them |
| Water |
For any types of stones... This is a must do. Dehydration causes the urine to be concentrated and this increases the likelihood of stone formations. Drink 6 to 10 glass of water daily. |
| Orange
juice Blackcurrant juice Cranberry juice |
Drinking
orange juice seems to reduce the risk of calcium and uric acid stones
formation. A study showed that blackcurrant juice can be useful in treating uric acid stones because of its alkalizing effect. Cranberry juice acidifies urine so it can be useful in treating struvite stones and urinary tract infection. |
| Diet
sodas, especially those with citrus flavour Diet Sunkist Orange Diet 7-Up Diet Canada Dry Note: Diet Coke with Lime does not contain citrate. |
For calcium stones... Some soda pop contains citrate (listed on the left column) which is known to stop calcium stone formation. However, be aware that this may not be the best solution to the problem. Our best recommendation is to drink plain water. |
| Lemon
juice mixed with water Orange juice |
For calcium stones... This natural remedy will help acidify your urine and reduce the risk of further calcium stones formation. |
Does kidney stone cleansing programs work?
A
kidney cleanse is designed to remove stones by dissolving
stones
and by preventing future formation of stones. There are many
kidney detoxification programs available.
Consider a vegetable and fruit juice diet. Vegetables to consider include green vegetables, parsley, celery and carrots. Fruits to consider include lemons and especially watermelon.
Ultimately, it's the amount of fluid (water) that you are taking that will go a long way to cleanse your kidney of stones. The more water you drink, the more water gets to the kidney to flush out whatever stones are there.
Consider a vegetable and fruit juice diet. Vegetables to consider include green vegetables, parsley, celery and carrots. Fruits to consider include lemons and especially watermelon.
Ultimately, it's the amount of fluid (water) that you are taking that will go a long way to cleanse your kidney of stones. The more water you drink, the more water gets to the kidney to flush out whatever stones are there.
What are some homeopathic remedies I can use?
Ask your
homeopathic practitioner for the best remedy for your
condition. Homeopathic remedies you may want to consider include:
- Belladonna (Atropa belladonna)
- Dioscorea
- Lycopodium (Lycopodium clavatum)
- Nux Vomica
- Lachesis
- Berberis Vulgaris
Can I suffer from kidney stones during pregnancy? What can I do about it?
Yes. It is
possible. You would follow the same recommendations as for
treating and preventing stone formation.
Often, women get stones only during pregnancy. This is suspected to be due to dehydration during pregnancy although other factors may also be involved.
Your doctor will be able to decide on the best course to take as some treatments should not be used during pregnancy.
Often, women get stones only during pregnancy. This is suspected to be due to dehydration during pregnancy although other factors may also be involved.
Your doctor will be able to decide on the best course to take as some treatments should not be used during pregnancy.
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