Certain supplements may be helpful in preventing kidney stones. According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, kidney stones are hard masses that form from the separation of crystals from your urine within your urinary tract. Kidney stones contain various combinations of chemicals. Before taking supplements to help prevent kidney stones, talk with your doctor about possible side effects, proper dosage and potential drug interactions.
Goldenrod
Goldenrod, also known as Solidago, is an herbal supplement that may be beneficial in preventing kidney stones. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, goldenrod, a member of the Aster family, has been used to help treat many health problems, including kidney stones and inflammatory conditions of your urinary tract. Goldenrod is an herbaceous perennial plant that grows in North America, South America and Eurasia. Goldenrod has a slightly bitter taste, possesses slightly warming and drying tendencies and thrives in meadows, pastures, ditches and along roads. The plants' aerial parts, in bud stage, are used for medicinal purposes. Ed Smith, an herbalist and author of the book "Therapeutic Herb Manual," states that goldenrod is an anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and soothing urinary system tonic that is used to help treat urinary stones and gravel, kidney pain and inflammation of your genito-urinary tract.
Gravel Root
Dr. Sharol Tilgner, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," states that gravel root, a member of the Aster family, is a diuretic that boosts your body's excretion of solids and prevents the precipitation of urates, or salts of uric acid. Gravel root, notes Tilgner, is helpful in treating conditions involving painful urination, chronic kidney and bladder conditions causing blood in your urine, an inability to urinate and chronic infections, although it is particularly helpful for kidney stones and gout. Gravel root, also known as Eupatorium purpureum, is a plant native to eastern North America, has a slightly bitter and starchy taste, and possesses drying tendencies. Practitioners of botanical medicine use the root of the plant medicinally. If you are pregnant, states Tilgner, you should avoid taking supplements containing gravel root.
Nettle
Nettle, also called Urtica, is a flowering herbaceous perennial plant native to North America, Asia, Europe and Africa. Nettle belongs to the Urticaceae family, has a nutritious taste similar to spinach, and possesses drying and stimulating tendencies. The nettle plant has rigid, upright stems, heart-shaped leaves and pink or yellow flowers. The leaves, stems and sometimes the roots are used for medicinal purposes, including kidney stone prevention. According to Dr. William A. Mitchell, Jr., a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Plant Medicine in Practice," nettle is a diuretic that helps flush your kidneys, ureters and bladder of accumulated detritus. Tilgner states that nettle is an alternative, alkalizing diuretic and urinary tract tonic that contains significant amounts of potassium, calcium and silicic acid. Nettle, notes Tilgner, is an effective supplement to support your normal urinary tract function.
References
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Kidney Stones in Adults
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Goldenrod
- "Therapeutic Herb Manual"; Ed Smith; 2007
- "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth"; Sharol Tilgner, N.D.; 1999
- "Plant Medicine in Practice: Using the Teachings of John Bastyr"; William A. Mitchell Jr., N.D.; 2003
