Introduction
Kidney stones are usually made of minerals and salt deposits that form inside your kidneys. They are also called renal calculi, nephrolithiasis or urolithiasis.
Excess body weight, unhealthy diet, certain supplements and medications are among the various reasons that cause kidney disorders.
Kidney stones can occur in any part of your urinary tract. Stones often form when the urine becomes concentrated, allowing minerals to crystallise and form tiny crystals or stones.
However, passing kidney stones is painful and causes no permanent damage if treated early.
The treatment of kidney stones depends on the severity. Treatment includes taking medications to alleviate pain or drinking a lot of water for passing kidney stones. In severe cases, kidney stones become lodged in the urinary bladder and cause infections, then surgery is needed for stone removal.
Causes of Kidney stones
There is no definite cause or reason for developing kidney stones. Several factors may result in stone formations,including
- Drinking little water
- Too much or too little exercise
- Obesity
- Weight loss surgery
- Consumption of excess salt or sugar
- Eating too much fructose
- Infections and family history
- Calcium deficit diet
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Sodium-rich diet.
Kidney Stones Symptoms
Kidney stones vary in size—they can be as small as sand, as large as a stone or the size of a ball. However, the symptoms are more noticeable when the stones are larger. Some common symptoms include
- Severe pain in either side of the lower back
- Continuous stomach ache
- Blood in the urine
- Vomiting or nausea
- Fever and chills
- Bad urine smell
- Cloudy or yellow urine
Kidney stones begin to hurt once it causes blockage or irritation. It results in severe pain. However, in most cases, kidney stones pass through urine without causing damage or severe pain.
Home remedies to treat kidney stones
Water
Staying hydrated is one of the best ways to fight kidney stones. Drinking plenty of water helps in passing kidney stones.
Intake of water may speed up the stone-passing process. We must take about 12 glasses of water daily to pass out the stones.
An increased amount of water intake boosts urine output, and lowers the risk of stone formation.
Pomegranate Juice
Pomegranate juice is the best home remedy to improve overall kidney function. The antioxidants present in the fruit keep your kidneys healthy and prevents kidney stones from developing.
The juice decreases the urine’s acidity level and lowers the risk of future kidney stone formation.
Basil Leaves
Basil leaves, or tulsi, are beneficial for the kidney's overall health. According to nutritionists, chewing two to three leaves a day may reduce the discomfort or pain caused by kidney stones.
One can add one teaspoon of basil leaf juice with 1 teaspoon of honey and consume it in the morning daily. The fluid may help in passing kidney stones.
Kidney Beans
Kidney Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) are a common variety of legumes, named due to the shape of the kidney and red colour. In India, it is commonly known as Rajma.
Kidney beans are rich in protein and fibre, which makes them as healthy as vegetables. The legume has a low glycaemic index, which is good for people with Diabetes. The vitamin B present in the beans helps to dissolve and flush out kidney stones.
Bay Leaf
Bay leaves act as a diuretic which helps improve overall kidney health. According to studies, bay leaves can help to prevent kidney stones by reducing the urease level in the body. Urease is an enzyme that causes various gastric disorders if it is out of control.
However, more studies should be done to determine the effectiveness of bay leaf on kidney stones.
Parsley
Kidney stones are made up of minerals and sodium deposits that cause severe pain in your back and stomach. Parsley is found to be a diuretic, which increases urination and prevents stone formation.
Drinking parsley tea may cleanse your kidneys by boosting urine production and flush out toxins, which helps in passing kidney stones.
Parsley tea recipe:
- Take some fresh strands of parsley in a mug or teapot.
- Pour a cup of boiling water over the parsley leaves.
- Leave the water and parsley to steep for 5 to 10 mins.
- Strain the leaves from the tea, and serve it hot.
Dandelion Root
Dandelion is an effective medicine that helps digestion, increases urination and eliminates toxins from the body.
Dandelions are rich in vitamins like A, B, C and D and contain minerals such as iron, zinc and potassium. However, only a small amount of dandelion consumption is recommended. Some people may be allergic to dandelion. So, check with your doctor before consuming it.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is one of the popular home remedies to treat kidney stones. The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar helps soften, break down and dissolve kidney stones.
ACV reduces the size of stones and makes you easily pass them in your urine.
Wheatgrass
Wheatgrass is rich in antioxidants that help flush out the minerals and salts that lead to stone formation. Being a diuretic, it increases urination and thereby helps in passing kidney stones.
Consuming wheatgrass juice daily is effective in treating kidney stones.
Celery
Celery is one of the traditional medicines used to treat kidney stones for ages. Celery is rich in flavonoids, which can break down the calcium crystals that form in your kidney.
Intake of celery juice daily has proven to be effective for kidney stones. However, it may have some side effects if combined with other medications. It is always recommended to consult your doctor before consuming any home remedy.
Lemon Juice
Lemon Juice is beneficial for kidney stones. The citrate, a salt in citric acid, binds the calcium and prevents the blockage caused by stone formation.
Drinking ½ cup of lemon juice daily may increase urine citrate levels and lowers the risk of kidney stone formation.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has various health benefits. It is good for hair, skin and Diabetes. It helps fight kidney disorders, including kidney cysts, kidney stones, urinary tract infections and chronic kidney disorders.
Virgin coconut oil is obtained from coconut milk or meat. It is rich in lauric acid and is a good source of saturated fatty acids.
These healthy saturated acids help in the prevention and cure of kidney stones.
Horsetail Tea
Horsetail is used as a diuretic, which increases the flow of urine output and lowers the formation of stones in the kidney.
The chemicals present in horsetail have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It also helps in fluid retention and promotes kidney health.
People who took horsetail experienced increased urination which helped them to ease the difficulties caused due to kidney disorders.
Nettle Leaves
Nettle is a natural herb that treats various health problems. It treats allergies, kidney disorders, urinary tract infections and more.
Nettle leaf tea is a diuretic and purifying. It helps in blood purification by neutralising creatinine and uric acid, dissolving gallstones, increasing urination and controlling infection and inflammation of the kidneys.
How to make Nettle tea at home?
- Put a few nettle leaves in a vessel
- Add 4 cups of water to the leaves
- Boil the water, then keep simmer for 15 mins
- Add sugar or honey if needed and serve it hot.
When to see a doctor?
One should contact a doctor if they experiences any of the following symptoms:
- Severe back pain or stomach ache
- Frequent vomiting or nausea
- Fever or chills
- Blood in the urine
- Urinary tract Infection
- Difficulty in urinating
Conclusion
Passing a kidney stone on our own is tough and painful, but drinking plenty of water may help you to treat kidney disorders.
Before consuming any home remedies, herbs or supplements, it is essential to check with your doctor.
Talk with your doctor about lifestyle changes and diet plans that may help reduce the risk of kidney disorders.
FAQs
What dissolves kidney stones fast?
Apple cider vinegar is rich in acetic acid, which may help flush kidney stones faster. It also decreases the pain caused by the stones. The acetic acid in ACV helps soften, break down and dissolve kidney stones. ACV reduces the size of stones and makes you easily pass them in your urine.
Can I use coconut water to treat kidney stones?
Coconut water is a rich source of potassium, which plays a vital role in dissolving kidney stones. The potassium in coconut water helps alkaline urine, preventing kidney stone formation.
What is the ayurvedic remedy for kidney stones?
Ayurveda suggests the intake of diuretic herbs to fight kidney stones. There are three types of drugs recommended in ayurveda to treat renal stones.
1. Mutravirechaniya
2. Ashmarighna Dravya
3. Kshara Karma.
What can I drink to destroy kidney stones?
Here are some drinks that prove to be beneficial for kidney stones.
1. Water
2. Apple cider vinegar
3. Celery tea
4. Lemon Juice
5. Nettle Tea
6. Pomegranate Juice
7. Parsley Tea.
