Renal failure, more commonly known as kidney disease or kidney failure, is the sudden loss of your kidneys' capacity to eliminate waste products from your body. The National Center for Biotechnology Information notes that renal failure occurs following kidney damage. Renal failure can cause many symptoms and reduce your quality of life. Renal failure may respond to various types of treatment, including herbal remedies. However, talk with your doctor before using herbs for your condition.
About Renal Failure
Renal failure, states MayoClinic.com, can have serious health consequences and requires appropriate treatment from a qualified health care professional. There are many possible symptoms associated with renal failure, including bad breath, blood in your stools, easy bruising, mood swings, reduced appetite, reduced sensation in your extremities, fatigue, side pain, elevated blood pressure and increased nocturnal urination. If you have renal failure, you may also experience swelling throughout your body, due to fluid retention.
Useful Herbs
There are many useful herbs for renal failure. Phyllis Balch, a nutrition researcher, certified nutritional consultant and author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," notes that watermelon seeds, red clover, goldenrod, juniper, marshmallow, parsley and nettle are all effective herbal remedies for renal failure. Herbs that possess diuretic action, including hydrangea and bearberry, help cleanse your urinary tract and keep it healthy. Dandelion root extract is another herbal remedy that may be helpful for this condition.
A Commonly Used Herb
A commonly used herb for renal failure is hydrangea. According to Dr. William A. Mitchell Jr., a naturopathic physician and author of "Plant Medicine in Practice," hydrangea, or Hydrangea arborescens, is a calmative to your genitourinary system. Hydrangea, a nontoxic remedy, has been used to treat numerous conditions, including kidney disease, bladder infections and prostate problems such as prostate pain. The root of the hydrangea plant -- which contains saponins and other active ingredients -- is used in herbal medicines.
Disclaimer
If you are experiencing the symptoms of renal failure, contact your doctor immediately. Some cases of renal failure can be fatal, and you may require immediate medical treatment to ensure your continued survival or well-being. Renal failure of a more chronic, or long-term, nature may respond best to herbal medicines, which can be prescribed by any health care practitioner who has been trained in botanical medicine. Talk with your doctor about including herbs in your long-term renal failure treatment plan.
References
- National Center for Biotechnology Information: Acute Kidney Failure
- MayoClinic.com: Kidney Failure, Acute
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; 2010
- "Plant Medicine in Practice"; William A. Mitchell Jr., N.D.; 2003
