Kidney stones form when various compounds are deposited in the kidneys during the process of elimination. If urine quantities are scanty or the body's pH is out of balance, a kidney stone may form and grow, eventually causing problems. Passing kidney stones can be extremely painful, and in the cases of larger stones, surgery may be needed for removal. Certain natural treatments may be helpful in preventing the formation of kidney stones or to break down existing stones, helping them to pass. Some herbs may produce side effects, so consult a health practitioner before starting new treatments.
Step 1
Drink lemonade to prevent kidney stones says Dr. Roger L. Sur, director of the University of California San Diego Comprehensive Kidney Stone Center. Mix 4 oz. of reconstituted or fresh lemon juice in 2 1/2 quarts of water, and drink daily, says Sur, to take advantage of the high concentration of citrate in the lemon juice, which dissolves stones.
Step 2
Add organic apple cider vinegar to your diet to dissolve existing kidney stones and help prevent the formation of new ones, recommends "The pH Miracle." Apple cider vinegar helps correct the urine's pH, bringing it to neutral and reducing uric acid content. Mix 2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar with 8 oz. water and drink twice daily.
Sprinkle organic apple cider vinegar on salads and use in cooking to amplify its pH-balancing effects in the body.
Step 3
Drink natural, unsweetened cranberry juice to support the urinary tract and prevent kidney stones, suggests the British Journal of Urology. Mix 1 cup cranberry juice with 3 cups water and drink it all, throughout the day. A small amount of honey can be added to sweeten.
Step 4
Take homeopathic Berberis vulgaris for the lower back pain that can occur around the kidneys when passing kidney stones, suggests the "Materia Medica and Repertory." Patients can experience sharp, sticking pains that radiate into the groin and up the back, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Berberis may be especially helpful for those who have gout and other arthritic symptoms. The remedy may also help dissolve urate stones. Berberis is available over-the-counter at health food stores and from online homeopathic pharmacies. Consult with a homeopath before using Berberis to ensure that it is the properly indicated remedy for your condition.
Tips and Warnings
- When the pH of urine is too acidic, urate crystals form into urate kidney stones. These same crystals are deposited in the joints, causing gout. The buildup of uric acid in the urine is responsible for the formation of these crystals. Organic apple cider vinegar is far superior to nonorganic for the treatment of kidney stones. Organic vinegar is free from pesticides and other impurities that may aggravate urinary tract conditions. If 2 tbsp. of apple cider vinegar is too strong for some, 1 tbsp. or less to start, with a gradual increase until reaching 2 tbsp., will also be effective. Cranberries have long been known to be effective for the treatment of lower urinary tract infections. They are high in anthocyanins, potent antioxidants, as well as in vitamin C. Cranberries and their juice may also be helpful for increasing the rate of urination and improving edema in the legs and feet.
- If natural remedies to treat kidney stones do not reduce symptoms, or they worsen, sufferers should contact a health practitioner immediately.
Things You'll Need
- Fresh lemons, or reconstituted juice
- Organic apple cider vinegar
- Cranberry juice
- Homeopathic Berberis vulgaris
References
- "The pH Miracle"; Dr. Robert O. Young and Shelley Redford Young; 2003
- University of California San Diego Comprehensive Kidney Stone Center: Five Ways to Prevent Kidney Stones---From Lemonade to Surgery
- British Journal of Urology: Influence of cranberry juice on the urinary risk factors for calcium
- "Materia Medica and Repertory"; William Boericke; 1987
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Kidney Stones
