Kidney stones are a common health complaint among Americans, especially American men. The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse states that about 3 million people visit health care providers for kidney stone problems annually. Kidney stones can cause extreme pain and other symptoms. If you are considering taking herbs to help prevent kidney stones, consult with your doctor about procedures, alternatives and risks associated with herbal medicine.
Kidney Stones
A kidney stone is a solid mass that forms from crystals which separate from your urine. According to the National Kidney Foundation, kidney stones most commonly occur in people between the ages of 20 and 50. Kidney stones are also more common among Caucasians than African Americans. In some cases, kidney stones pass through your urinary system without causing problems. However, if a stone blocks the flow of your urine, you may experience extreme pain and blood in your urine. Hypertension, diabetes and obesity can increase your risk for kidney stones.
Herbal Remedies
Herbs have been used for many years to both treat and prevent kidney stones. Most herbal treatments that help prevent kidney stones involve taking a combination of herbs that possess diuretic action. Naturopathic doctor Sharol Tilgner, author of "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," states that, when taken together, gravel root, hydrangea, corn silk, nettle and goldenrod help prevent kidney stones and may be particularly effective in people with a known tendency to form kidney stones.
Featured Herb
Gravel root, which is sometimes called Eupatorium purpureum, is an herb that is commonly used to help prevent kidney stones. Gravel root is a diuretic, which means that it stimulates urination, and it boosts your body's excretion of solids while preventing the precipitation of uric acid salts. Gravel root may be particularly effective in treating conditions associated with painful urination, longstanding kidney conditions, an inability to urinate and kidney stones caused by high uric acid levels.
Considerations
Herbal remedies should be treated with the same level of caution afforded pharmaceutical drugs. Herbs can provoke significant changes within your body and should be taken under the supervision and guidance of a health care professional with advanced training in botanical medicine. A qualified health care professional can provide you with relevant information about dosage, potential side effects and any drug interactions that might occur, and she can also help determine the appropriate herb, or combination of herbs, for you and your health complaint.
References
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Kidney Stones in Adults
- National Kidney Foundation: Kidney Stones
- "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth"; Sharol Tilgner, N.D.; 1999
