Several kinds of kidney stones may commonly occur, with urate stone being the result of a buildup of uric acid, which is a byproduct of protein digestion. Certain herbs and natural home remedies may provide relief from these kidney stones and help them dissolve, depending upon their size. Herbs can cause side effects. Consult your health practitioner before using herbal remedies.
Dandelion Root
Dandelion root is an herb used as a diuretic and urinary tonic, and may help to flush kidney stones. It helps to increase urine volume, which may prevent uric acid from crystallizing in the kidneys and forming stones, according to the "Prescription for Herbal Healing." The increased amount of urine moving through the kidney may help existing stones to dissolve and pass, without the need for medical procedures. The best way to make a home remedy from dandelion root is by making herbal tea. You can purchase the dried herb or pre-made teabags from health food stores. Do not use dandelion if you are taking diuretics unless under the supervision of your health practitioner.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a mild acid whose action on the body helps to create an alkaline-forming environment by raising the pH, according to Dr. Robert Young and Shelley Redford Young in "The pH Miracle." When the urine becomes slightly alkaline, it prevents uric acid from crystallizing and may encourage existing urate stones to dissolve, depending on how large they are. It's best to choose organic apple cider vinegar to avoid pesticides and chemicals that may be present in non-organic brands. In addition, the organic vinegar has the "mother" present in the bottle, a cloudy substance that contains high levels of potassium, which is highly beneficial to the kidneys, according to Young. Along with using apple cider vinegar on salads or for making pickles, you can drink it mixed with water. Combine 2 to 4 tbsp. vinegar with 8 to 12 oz. water and drink to help alkalize your system. Adjust the amount of vinegar based on what you are able to tolerate. Speak to your health practitioner before using vinegar to dissolve kidney stones. If you develop pain or your original symptoms persist, seek medical advice.
Water
It's important to drink a lot of water to keep your urine diluted to help flush any kidney stones. Water may not dissolve the stones, but it is necessary to keep the volume of urine output at a high level. Too little water in your system will cause dehydration, and your body will pull fluids from your tissues. This situation can cause any uric acid in your system to collect in your kidneys and to form a sediment or crystallize into kidney stones. Staying well hydrated keeps uric acid in suspension and helps to flush it from your kidneys.
Lemon Water
Lemons help dissolve kidney stones made from uric acid because they are high in the substance citrate, according to Dr. Roger Sur, director of the University of California San Diego Comprehensive Kidney Stone Center. Lemons are also high in potassium and are a mild acid, so they help to raise the pH of the urine, making it slightly alkaline, according to "The pH Miracle." Sur suggests consuming lemonade or lemon water to benefit from these nutrients and help flush kidney stones from the system. He recommends mixing 4 oz. lemon juice with 2.5 qts. water and drinking the entire amount throughout the day, every day.
References
- "Prescription for Herbal Healing: An Easy-to-Use A-Z Reference to Hundreds of Common Disorders and Their Herbal Remedies"; Phyllis A. Balch; 2002
- "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
- "The Acid Alkaline Balance"; Felicia Drury Kliment; 2002
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Dandelion
- Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine: The Definitive Home Reference Guide to 550 Key Herbs With All Their Uses as Remedies for Common Ailments"; Andrew Chevallier; 2000
