Kidney Stones Home Remedies

Aloe Vera, Saw Palmetto, Goldenrod, Holy Basil and Dandelion are some of the herbal ingredients that may help dissolve kidney stones. Kidney stones or renal calculi are formed from chemicals commonly found in urine - uric acid, phosphorus, calcium and oxalic acid. The stones form inside the kidneys and bladder. The size of the stone can be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball. If the stones reach a size of 2-3 millimeters, they can cause obstruction of the ureter, which is as thin as a spaghetti strand.

There are three main types of Kidney Stones:

• Calcium Oxalate Stones: These are the most prevalent and they tend to form when the urine has low pH or is more acidic. The oxalate in urine comes from diet or is produced by the body. Calcium maybe leaching from the bone.
• Uric Acid Stones:When the diet is especially rich in animal proteins and purines like organ meats, fish and shellfish, the urine maybe constantly acidic and lead to uric acid stones.
• Struvite Stones:These occur as a result of infections to the kidney.

Kidney Stones Symptoms

Unfortunately, kidney stones are asymptomatic. The symptoms are felt only when the kidney stone gets larger and blocks the ureter. It may cause you to have intense pain on the lower back and side, groin or abdomen. You may also pass small amounts of blood in the urine and there could be an accompanying nausea, vomiting and sweating.

Kidney Stones Lifestyle Choices

• Obesity and sedentary life-style seems to increase the occurrence of kidney stones. The urine tends to be more acidic and progress into stones.
• Yoga postures, especially dhannurasana, bhujangasana, uttanpadasana and pavanamuktasana have a stimulating and nurturing effect on the kidneys.

Kidney Stones Diet

• Different kinds of kidney stones require different kinds of diet, diet is one of the several factors that can help or hinder kidney stone formation.
• Water is one of the most important dietary changes recommended for all kinds of kidney stones. Kidney stone sufferers should drink enough water to make at least 2 quarts of water a day.
• If you are more prone to calcium oxalate stones, avoid foods rich in oxalates. Beets, rhubarb, spinach, black tea, chocolate, nuts, especially peanuts and berries are some foods rich in oxalate.
• If you have a tendency to form uric acid stones, reduce your intake of meat, sweet bread and liver as they form uric acid when they metabolize in the body. Uric acid is the end product of purine metabolism and these foods are rich in purine.
• Moderate your intake of caffeine as it tends to increase urinary calcium and increases your risk for forming a calcium containing kidney stone. Caffeine beverages are diuretic and causes you to deplete your potassium levels.
• Salt is composed of sodium and chloride. When the kidney excretes sodium, it causes more calcium to be excreted as well. This calcium combines with oxalate to form stones. So, avoid highly processed or salted food items.
• Grapefruit juice and dark colas should be avoided by calcium oxalate kidney stone patients as they to increase these kinds of stones.
• Reduce your intake of dairy foods, especially those fortified with Vitamin D. Excess vitamin D can contribute to stone formation.

Kidney Stones Herbal Remedies

• Aloe Vera Remedy For Kidney Stones

  Regular consumption of edible aloe vera juice or gel helps reduce stones. Aloe is high in citrate and tartrate and prevent the formation of kidney stones. Read other Aloe Vera Home Remedies.

• Saw Palmetto Treatment For Kidney Stones

  Saw palmetto has a general tonic effect on the entire urinary tract and relaxes the ureter to makes it easier to pass urine. It is believed to reduce the pressure on the neck of the bladder.

• Dandelion Therapy For Kidney Stones

  Diuretic herbs like dandelion and goldenrod increase urine output by stimulating blood circulation through the kidneys. This helps to flush the stones from the system faster. Unlike diuretic liquids like coffee that produce a lot of urine, but deplete the body of potassium, dandelion is a rich source of this mineral.

• Holy Basil(Tulsi) For Healthy Kidneys

  Holy Basil(Tulsi) is Ayurveda's traditional solution for kidney stones as they have a strengthening effect on the kidney. You can directly eat the leaves or consume the decoction sweetened with honey. Read other Tulsi Home Remedies.

• Celery Seeds Kidney Flush

  Celery is rich in potassium and organic sodium. It increases the elimination of water and waste materials from the kidneys. Boil about 2 tablespoons of the seeds in 2 cups of water and strain and drink this decoction.

• Goldenrod Remedy For Kidney Stones

  Goldenrod is another diuretic herb that can flush water from the body. It also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Steep about 2-3 tsp of the dried herb in hot water and consume the filtered decoction.

Kidney Stones, Healing With Supplements

• Vitamin C and Vitamin D supplements can contribute to stone formation. Vitamin C is ascorbate and may turn into oxalate inside, do not take more that 500 milligrams a day if you suffer from calcium oxalate stones.

• Calcium

  Earlier, doctors would caution against calcium for kidney stone sufferers. But, then they discovered that calcium binds with oxalate, preventing it from forming stones. Calcium is rich in milk, cheese, broccoli, etc. Calcium should be taken with meals so that it can bind with the oxalate in the food.

• Magnesium

  In clinical studies, magnesium has been found to lower the amount of oxalate minerals in urine. Good sources of magnesium are rice, avocado and broccoli.

• Vitamin B6

  Pyridoxine or Vitamin B6 is found to have a therapeutic effect on the kidneys and help eliminate stones.