The kidneys are vital organs that filter the blood and flush out harmful toxins through the urine. Keeping the kidneys healthy helps the rest of the body to stay healthy as well. One method by which you can improve the health of the kidneys is the use of medicinal herbs. While many herbs have a wide variety of benefits within the body, there are a few that are especially important to proper kidney function.
Bearberry
The University of Maryland Medical Center explains that the herb "uva ursi" is also called bearberry due to the fact that bears are fond of the berries it produces. Used for centuries as a remedy for bladder and urinary tract problems, bearberry has antibiotic properties that help fight infection and tannins that combat inflammation by shrinking mucus membranes throughout the body.
Stonebreaker
Stonebreaker, also known as Phyllanthus niruri, is known for several health properties. The one that affects the kidneys is reported in the October 2004 issue of "Urological Research." Researchers state that phyllanthus niruri reduces the amount of calcium in the urine, which in turn reduces the risk of developing urinary calculi, or kidney stones.
Astragalus
Astragalus has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that it is often used to protect the body from stress, cold and flu, allergies, fatigue and liver damage. Another noted use for astragalus is in the treatment of kidney problems, namely kidney disease. The National Institutes of Health relays a study from China that shows astragalus plays a role in slowing the progression of CKD (chronic kidney disease). Other secondary herbs named in that study are angelica, rhubarb, triptolide (from the Chinese herb tripterygium wilfordii) and ligusticum.
Cordyceps Sinensis
Cordyceps sinensis (CS) is a Chinese herb that can also be referred to as a fungus or "medical mushroom." Cordyceps sinensis has beneficial effects on the kidneys as well. An article in "Chinese Medicine News," an online publication that reports on scientific news in traditional Chinese medicine, states that cordyceps sinensis benefits the kidneys by protecting them from toxins and exhaustion. A report in the June 2009 issue of "Transplantation Proceedings" also details the fact that CS can be of great value in the kidney transplant process, because it decreases the amount of protein in the urine and reduces the risk of kidney rejection.
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