Kidney stones are deposits of minerals that form inside the kidneys, then must pass through the urinary tract. According to the Mayo Clinic, most kidney stones are formed from calcium oxalate. Many of the rest are caused by uric acid, which becomes thick and crystallized from dehydration and high-protein diets. The Mayo Clinic notes that despite being quite painful, kidney stones usually cause no permanent damage and can usually be treated at home. There are several herbs that can reduce the recurrence of kidney stones and help ease the passing of those that do form.
Cranberry
In "1000 Cures for 200 Ailments," naturopathy expert Dr. Geovanni Espinosa recommends cranberries for treating kidney stones because cranberries reduce calcium levels in the urine, which can prevent kidney stones from forming and stop existing ones from growing. You can eat cranberries, drink cranberry juice or take 400 mg of cranberry extract daily. Cranberries also help prevent urinary tract infections, which is useful when passing a stone.
Aloe Vera
Dr. James Balch and Dr. Mark Stengler of "Bottom Line's Prescription for Natural Cures" suggest drinking 1/4 cup of aloe vera juice a day. Aloe vera reduces urinary crystals. In "Healing Without Medication," Dr. Robert Rister says that aloe vera binds calcium, one of the main components of most kidney stones. However, he warns that it also acts as a laxative. He recommends taking aloe vera in capsule form.
Khella Seeds
Herbalism expert for "1000 Cures for 200 Ailments" Dr. David Kiefer suggests khella for the treatment of kidney stones. Rather than stopping a kidney stone from forming, you take a tincture of khella seeds when you experience the acute pain of passing a kidney stone. Khella relaxes the muscles of the urinary tract, preventing them from contracting around the irritating kidney stone.
Lemon
Citrate prevents oxalate from combining with calcium. This stops the creation and further growth of kidney stones. The problem is that most citrus juices also increase the production of oxalate, so that the end effect is an increase in kidney stones. According to Dr. Rister, the only citrus juice that doesn't cause this negative effect is lemon juice. Lemon juice contains five times the amount of citrate of other citrus juices. Dr. Rister suggests regularly drinking lemonade made from real lemons for this reason.
Herbal Diuretics
There are many diuretic herbs that increase urination and prevent kidney stones and urinary tract infections. Dr. Rister names asparagus, birch leaf, couch grass, horsetail and stinging nettle. Dr. Espinosa suggests taking 250 to 300 mg of uva ursi three times a day for no more than two weeks, and 2 to 4 cups of juniper berry tea every day until the stone passes. Dr. Kiefer suggests parsley, though warns that pregnant women shouldn't take it as it's a uterine stimulant. He and Dr. Rister both suggest goldenrod, a diuretic that also contains high levels of flavonoids and saponins. Dr. Kiefer instructs to make a tea by boiling 3 to 5 g of the above-ground portion of goldenrod in 1 cup of water. Let the herb steep for a few minutes, then strain. Drink the tea several times a day during acute pain, and then regularly to prevent the recurrence of kidney stones.
References
- The Mayo Clinic: Kidney Stones
- "1000 Cures for 200 Ailments"; Editor Dr. Victor Sierpina; 2007
- "Bottom Line's Prescription for Natural Cures"; James F. Balch, M.D. and Mark Stengler, N.D.; 2004
- "Healing Without Medication"; Robert S. Rister; 2003
