Numerous medicinal plants may be helpful in treating or preventing your kidney stones. According to MayoClinic.com, although kidney stones usually do not cause permanent damage to the structures of your urinary tract, some people have risk factors that increase the likelihood of having multiple attacks, including being a male over 40, being obese and not drinking enough water. Before taking herbs to help treat your kidney stones, talk with your doctor about possible side effects, proper dosage and potential drug interactions.
Anatomy
MedlinePlus states that your urinary system is comprised of four distinct elements, including your kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Your kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped vital organs responsible for sifting waste products and water from your blood that eventually becomes urine. Urine is transported to your bladder through tubes known as ureters. Your bladder is the holding tank for your urine until it is voided via your urethra during urination.
Kidney Stones
Most kidney stones pass through your system without your noticing, but some stones can become lodged in your urinary tract, obstructing your flow of urine and causing extreme pain or discomfort. According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, kidney stones are solid pieces of material in your kidneys that form from elements in your urine. Kidney stones can lodge anywhere throughout your urinary tract, including your ureters, bladder or urethra. Common signs and symptoms associated with kidney stones include severe back, flank and abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, blood in your urine and pain with urination.
Acute Treatment
Herbal treatments for kidney stone relief largely depend on your treatment goals. Some herbs are helpful in treating acute, or immediate, kidney stone-related pain. Liquid extracts of these herbs, including khella, wild yam, kava kava, valerian, horse chestnut and lobelia, may be taken together as a formula to help encourage the passage of kidney stones through your ureter. According to Dr. Sharol Tilgner, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Herbal Medicine from the Heart of the Earth," this formula may be helpful in treating acute urinary tract concretions or kidney stones, as all the herbs have an antispasmodic action. Two of the herbs, kava kava and horse chestnut, also have an anti-inflammatory action.
Preventive Treatment
If you possess risk factors that increase your likelihood of developing kidney stones, or if you have a history of kidney stones, you may consider taking herbs to help prevent future kidney stone attacks. Tilgner states that the following herbs, when taken together, are diuretics that help you prevent kidney stones: gravel root, hydrangea, corn silk, nettle and goldenrod. Gravel root, also known as Eupatorium purpurea, may be especially helpful for preventing kidney stones, as it increases your excretion of solids and inhibits the precipitation of urates, or salts, of uric acid.
Warning
Kidney stones and other urinary tract conditions can have serious health consequences. If your kidney stone-related symptoms persist for more than one day, if you have a fever or pain that suggests kidney infection, or if you are unable to urinate, consult a qualified health care professional as soon as possible. Certain herbs may be contraindicated for pregnant women. Consult with your physician about possible side effects, proper dosage and potential drug interactions before taking herbal remedies to help treat or prevent your kidney stones.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Kidney Stones
- MedlinePlus: Urinary Tract Infections
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: What I Need to Know About Kidney Stones
- "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth"; Sharol Tilgner, N.D.; 1999
