Herbal Remedies for Kidney Stones

Few Herbal Remedies for Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are mineral deposits made up of calcium, uric acid or the amino acid cysteine in urine found inside the kidneys or ureters. They can be as small as a grain of sand or big as a golf ball. The reason of how these stones are formed is not yet surely known. Obesity and repeated kidney infections are also risk factors. Kidney stones typically leave the body in the urine stream; if they grow relatively large before passing, obstruction of a ureter and distention with urine can cause severe pain most commonly felt in the flank, lower abdomen and groin.

Treatment of kidney stones depends on the type and cause of the stone. Most stones can be treated without surgery. Drinking lots of water and staying physically active are often enough to move a stone out of the body.

Nowadays more and more people are rediscovering the herbal remedies for kidney stones. Herbs can effectively treat many medical problems, but there is also a great deal herbs cannot do. Here are some of the herbal remedies for kidney stones.

1. There are certain formulas, which contain a mixture of rare Ayurvedic herbs and their standardized extracts to dissolve the stone and flush stone forming crystals. Along with this it also solves the problem of urinary tract infections; disintegrates and expels renal/urinary stones; treats nonspecific urethritis and cystitis ; burning micturition; renal colic and prostrate enlargement.
2. There are oral medicines, which are made out of natural herbs, which helps to crush the stone or makes it small enough so that the body can spontaneously remove these fragments.
3. It is said that lemon juice reduces the size of kidney stones, but most herbal remedies for kidney stones, including those based on lemon juice and hydrangea. But they do not actually dissolve stones. Instead, they help eliminate the stones and reduce or relieve the pain that occurs as they are eliminated. The larger the stone, the more uncomfortable this can be.
4. Goldenrod has been considered very effective in getting rid of kidney stones. Several species of the plant are used as a herbal remedy for kidney stones. Goldenrod cannot be considered as an excellent urinary tract herb.
5. Kidney stones are composed of calcium combined with phosphate or oxalic acid. Most of these stones result from an accumulation of unused calcium. Canberries reduces the excessive amounts of calcium commonly found in the urinary tract and helps to prevent stones.
6. It is found that eating pumpkin seeds reduces urinary risk factors for forming kidney stones. But the active constituents of pumpkin seeds responsible for this action have not been identified yet.
7. Sourgrass is a common name given to several species of Oxalis. These plants have a pleasant lemony taste and are sometime used to season salads, and in herbal remedies. All of these plants contain oxalic acid, which is toxic in high levels and may cause or exacerbate kidney stones.
8. Herbs that reduce infection, pain and spasms are cramp bark and joe-pye weed aptly nicknamed "gravel root" for its ability to get rid of stones. Agrimony, horsetail, yarrow, shepherd's purse, Saint-John's-wort and nettles can also be used to reduce bleeding caused by kidney stones Since the calcium-phosphate stones are most common in alkaline urine, cranberries and other herbs that acidify urine also help prevent stones. Rosemary is also one of the herbal remedies for kidney stones, which completely inhibits enzyme urease that contributes to kidney stones.