Kidney Stones - Natural Remedies and Cures

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To learn more and make choices about data use, visit our Advertising Policy and Privacy Policy. Log in with your Medical News Today account to create or edit your custom homepage, catch-up on your opinions notifications and set your newsletter preferences. Sign up for a free Medical News Today account to customize your medical and health news experiences. Most cases of kidney stones are treatable with pain medications, fluid therapy, or other medical intervention. Also, there are steps people can take to reduce their chances of getting them.

What are kidney stones?

Kidney stones occur when minerals and salts, most commonly calcium oxalate, crystallize in the kidneys and create hard deposits. Although they form in the kidneys, kidney stones can affect any part of the urinary tract. Dehydration is considered a major contributing factor in the development of kidney stones. When the body is dehydrated, fluid moves more slowly through the kidneys, increasing the chances of mineral and salt compounds coming into close contact and sticking together.

Small stones may form and pass on their own without causing any symptoms. However, most medium or large stones are extremely painful to pass and require medical attention. Before taking any home remedies, it is a good idea to talk with a doctor, especially for people with pre-existing medical conditions or who are taking medications.

Many antibiotics , diuretics, blood pressure , cholesterol , and liver medications can interact negatively with herbal remedies. Drinking water is one of the easiest ways to prevent and treat kidney stones. Most health authorities recommend drinking 64 ounces oz or eight glasses of water per day.

Drinking 12 glasses per day may help ease the passage or slow the growth of deposits in the kidneys. Lemons contain citrate, a compound that helps break down calcium deposits and slow their growth. Two 5-oz glasses, the first on an empty stomach first thing in the morning and another a few hours before dinner, may help break down smaller stones. It is important to examine labels closely when purchasing juice products.

Many products labeled as lemon juice contain small amounts of pure lemon extract and high amounts of sweeteners, which can increase the risk of kidney stones. Buying pure extract online or purchasing fresh lemons and squeezing them at home are the easiest ways to get undiluted lemon juice. Basil contains compounds known to help stabilize uric acid levels, making it harder for kidney stones to form. Also, basil contains acetic acid, a chemical known to help dissolve stones. One teaspoon of basil extract or pure juice per day may help prevent and treat kidney stones.

These can be purchased online. Two tablespoons of pure apple cider vinegar mixed with 8 oz of water may reduce the symptoms of kidney stones and prevent their development. This mixture can be drunk several times a day and may be most effective when consumed before meals. Apple cider vinegar, and apple cider vinegar supplements, are available to purchase online from various brands. Wheatgrass contains compounds that increase urine production, allowing stones to pass more easily and reducing the risk of their formation. Wheatgrass also contains antioxidants , which help rid the urinary tract of minerals and salts.

The urinary benefits of wheatgrass are best obtained by consuming 2- to 8-oz of pure extract or juice daily. Supplemental powders or pills are also available to purchase online or at many health stores. Celery contains antioxidants and compounds known to increase urine production.

Adding celery seeds to meals on a regular basis may help reduce the likelihood of developing kidney stones. One or two celery stalks can also be blended with water to create celery juice. Celery juice can be consumed daily to help treat kidney stone symptoms. The disinfectant and solvent properties of the herb uva ursi may help cleanse the urinary tract and ease the passage of kidney stones.

Some research indicates that milligrams mg of pure, dried uva ursi three times daily may be beneficial for those with kidney stones. Uva ursi supplements are available to purchase in some health food stores or online. Kidney beans contain a lot of magnesium , a compound known to help reduce kidney stones and their symptoms. It will flush stones and other toxins from your system. Lower acidity levels reduce your risk for future kidney stones. The broth from cooked kidney beans has been used to improve overall urinary and kidney health. It also helps dissolve and flush out the stones.

Simply strain the liquid from cooked beans and drink a few glasses throughout the day. You should be able to buy them from your local health food store or online. Dandelion root is a kidney tonic that stimulates the production of bile. This is thought to help eliminate waste, increase urine output, and improve digestion. Dandelions have vitamins A, B, C, D and minerals such as potassium, iron, and zinc. You can make fresh dandelion juice or buy it as a tea. If you make it fresh, you may also add orange peel, ginger, and apple to taste. Drink 3 to 4 cups throughout the day.

Talk to your doctor before taking dandelion root extract, as it can interact with many medications. Wheatgrass is packed with many nutrients and has long been used to enhance health. Wheatgrass increases urine flow to help pass the stones. It also contains vital nutrients that help cleanse the kidneys. You can drink 2 to 8 ounces of wheatgrass juice per day. To prevent side effects, start with the smallest amount possible and gradually work your way up to 8 ounces.

Taking wheatgrass on an empty stomach can reduce your risk for nausea. In some cases, it may cause appetite loss and constipation. Horsetail has been used to increase urine flow to help to flush out kidney stones and can soothe swelling and inflammation. It also has antibacterial and antioxidant properties that aid in overall urinary health. However, the Cleveland Clinic warns against its use.

There are dangers of seizures, decreased levels of B vitamins, and loss of potassium. Your doctor will determine whether you need medication or any other therapy to help you pass the stone.

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You can take over-the-counter pain relievers to lessen any pain you may be experiencing. These includes acetaminophen Tylenol , ibuprofen Advil , or naproxen Aleve. Once you pass a kidney stone, you may want to save it to take to your doctor for testing. To save the stone, you need to strain your urine.

Your doctor can determine what kind of stone it is and help develop a targeted prevention plan. You might add these remedies to your usual regimen and continue use after the stone passes. This may help prevent more stones from forming. But be sure to talk to your doctor before taking medications or herbs. Medications can control the amount of minerals and salts in your urine and may be helpful in people who form certain kinds of stones. The type of medication your doctor prescribes will depend on the kind of kidney stones you have.

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Small kidney stones that don't block your kidney or cause other problems can be treated by your family doctor. But if you have a large kidney stone and experience severe pain or kidney problems, your doctor may refer you to a doctor who treats problems in the urinary tract urologist or nephrologist. Besides the questions you prepare in advance, don't hesitate to ask any other questions during your appointment as they occur to you. Kidney stones care at Mayo Clinic.

Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Diagnosis If your doctor suspects you have a kidney stone, you may have diagnostic tests and procedures, such as: Blood tests may reveal too much calcium or uric acid in your blood.

Blood test results help monitor the health of your kidneys and may lead your doctor to check for other medical conditions. The hour urine collection test may show that you're excreting too many stone-forming minerals or too few stone-preventing substances. For this test, your doctor may request that you perform two urine collections over two consecutive days. Parathyroid glands The parathyroid glands, which lie behind the thyroid, manufacture the parathyroid hormone, which plays a role in regulating your body's levels of the minerals calcium and phosphorus.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. References Goldman L, et al. McKean SC, et al. Principles and Practice of Hospital Medicine. What are kidney stones?