Kidney stones are made of phosphates, calcium salts and uric acid, mixed with cystine, says the book "The New Holistic Herbal" by herbalist David Hoffman, and they are painful. Cleansing the kidneys is one of the best ways to avoid the formation of kidney stones and other urinary tract infections. The kidneys process more than 150 quarts of blood each day, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, and they are in charge of filtering out waste material and water that is sent to the bladder as urine. Always consult with your physician before engaging in an at-home kidney cleanse program.
Step 1
Boil filtered water in a medium size pot and add 2 tbsp. each organic hydrangea root and organic wild carrot leaves and seeds.
Step 2
Let the herbs simmer for at least 10 minutes. Hydrangea and wild carrot are both diuretic herbs, which according to the book "Dictionary of Modern Herbalism," by Simon Mills, means they promote the flow of urine, helping flush the kidneys and remove any existing kidney stones.
Step 3
Strain out the herbs and drink your tea three times per day, adding to each cup 1 to 2 droppers-ful of gravel root tincture, which will also work as a strong diuretic during your cleansing program. Hoffmann considers gravel root the primary herb used for the removal and prevention of kidney stones.
Step 4
Use honey to sweeten your hydrangea and wild carrot tea if the taste is too strong. These herbs tend to have a slightly bitter taste.
Step 5
Avoid drinking any of your tea a few hours before bedtime, to prevent midnight trips to the bathroom.
Step 6
Repeat each step for seven days to complete a weeklong kidney cleanse program. Try to eat light during this period to give your system a rest as it heals.
Tips and Warnings
- If you can't find gravel root in the form of tincture, you can use it as a dry herb and add it to the tea you are making with wild carrot and hydrangea. You can also take all three herbs in the form of a tincture if you do not have time to prepare a daily tea. Drink plenty of water in addition to your tea to aid in the elimination of toxins.
- Terminate your kidney cleanse program if you experience any signs of discomfort.
Things You'll Need
- Organic hydrangea root or tincture
- Organic wild carrot or tincture
- Gravel root tincture or herb
- Pot
- Filtered water
- Spoon
- Honey (optional)
References
- "The New Holistic Herbal"; David Hoffmann; 1995
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: The Kidneys and How They Work
- "Dictionary of Modern Herbalism"; Simon Y. Mills;1988
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