Kidney Stones - Are Natural Remedies Effective

Kidney stones can cause excruciating pain as they move down the kidney tubes(ureters) toward the bladder. Although they will pass out of the body in the urine surgery or destruction by ultrasound is sometimes necessary. As they can recur in 75% of cases you could benefit from a natural remedy for kidney stones.

Stones are formed in the kidney from unprocessed minerals in the renal system. Most of them consist of calcium oxalate but they may consist of phosphates or uric acid. Their formation has been linked with a high fat and protein, high sugar and low fiber diet. There is evidence that a deficiency of Vitamin B6 and Magnesium is linked with the formation of stones. Men are four times as likely to get them as women

It is possible to have them without noticing, because many will pass when very small. You might have a pain when urinating but you probably would not notice that you had passed something that could be as tiny as a grain of sand. Kidney stones can be as big as golf balls.

If you have symptoms it is very important to call your doctor as larger stones can block the urethra. Waves of extreme back and abdominal pain radiating into the groin are not uncommon. You may also see blood or pus in the urine. This comes from the lining of the organs being damaged by the uneven surface of the stone. You may get a fever and and frequent need to urinate.

Even in cases where the stone is large enough to cause pain, the majority of them do pass naturally. There are certain things you can do to help this happen, or make it happen faster and relieve the pain.

Natural Remedies for Kidney Stones

Lobelia Tincture

Lobelia is a powerful antispasmodic which can relax the ureter and relieve pain. It does not taste very good but 3 -4 drops in a glass of warm water every 10 - 20 minutes can help with the elimination of the stone.

Wild Yam Tincture

Wild Yam is an ancient remedy that was used by the Aztec and Myan peoples for a wide range of ailments including the relief of pain during childbirth. Take 15 drops in warm water every 20 minutes. Can be taken as well as Lobelia in an acute attack.

Cleavers

Cleavers has a diuretic action increasing the elimination of fluid so it can help with washing out stones and gravel. It can also help prevent recurrence.Take 10 -15 drops 2 or 3 times a day.

Increase Fluids

Drink plenty of water and fresh vegetable soups. A diet with too much salt, processed food lacking in potassium, and low in fruit and vegetables can leave the urine too alkaline causing minerals to deposit as stones. Aim for 2 -3 liters spread through the day.

Avoid oxalate foods

Although there is some debate about whether foods high in oxalates can contribute to kidney stones you could reduce the following foods to a minimum: beets, spinach, nuts, cabbage, rhubarb and sesame seeds.

General Diet

Avoid foods high in fat, protein, sugar, caffeine, soft drinks that contain phosphoric acid, alcohol.

These foods can cause your body to lose calcium in the urine.

Supplements

Supplements of Vitamin B 6 50 mg and Magnesium 400 mg a day can lower oxalate and may help prevent recurrence of oxalate stones.

Natural Remedies can be very effective but a doctor should always be involved in treatment of renal calculi because of the possibility of infection and complications. A natural remedy for kidney stones should only be used in conjunction with medical advice. A medical herbalist can advise on the best remedies for your symptoms.



(c) 2010. Sandy Halliday is a nutritionist, health expert and author and writes about Detox & Natural Health Remedies for many health problems on her Natural Health Remedies blog and The Detox Specialist Blog




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