Anybody could get kidney stones; it’s a common enough health problem that many people experience it. Kidney stones are formed from the chemicals found in urine, such as uric acid, calcium, oxalic acid, and phosphorus.
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Common causes for kidney stones
The most common causes for kidney stone formation include:
- Mineral imbalance in the body
- Excessive consumption of vitamin D
- Dehydration
- Improper diet
- Gout
- Intestinal bypass surgery
- Certain metabolic disorders
- Urinary tract infections
- Hereditary factors
Types of kidney stones
The many types of kidney stones include:
- Calcium stones
- Uric acid stones
- Struvite stones
- Cystine stones
- Other stones that are rare
Symptoms of kidney stones
These are the most commonly experienced symptoms of kidney stones:
- Frequent urination
- Painful urination
- Red, pink, or brown urine
- Foul-smelling and/or cloudy urine
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Excessive sweating
- Pain in the side and back, below the ribs
- Pain that comes in waves, while fluctuating in intensity
Home remedies for kidney stones
Along with conventional medicines, many cases of kidney stones can be treated with many easy, simple yet effective natural remedies too. Many of these remedies also help in preventing further formation of kidney stones in the future as well. Take a look at some of the home remedies for kidney stones here:
[DISCLAIMER: All of these remedies are to be taken only after consulting a doctor.]
1. Apple cider vinegar
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Apple cider vinegar is highly helpful in dissolving kidney stones. Additionally, it has an alkalizing effect on urine and blood.
Remedy
- Add 2 tablespoons of organic apple cider vinegar and 1 tablespoon honey to 1 cup of warm water. Stir well and drink this several times a day to help pass the stones in urine.
2. Basil
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Basil is an excellent home remedy to treat kidney stones and is beneficial for the organs’ overall health. It is also helpful in inducing the expulsion of the stones through the urinary tract.
Remedies
- Extract fresh basil juice with a handful of basil leaves. Add 1 teaspoon of this juice to a clean cup, along with the same amount of honey. Mix it well and consume it every morning for about 5-6 months.
- Put 6 basil leaves in 1 cup of boiling water and cover it with a lid. Let it steep for about 10 minutes, before straining it. Add 1 teaspoon of honey to this and drink it once it’s cooled. Repeat this remedy for a few weeks to get the stones expelled from your body.
- Chewing fresh basil leaves or drinking basil juice regularly is also known to be helpful in treating kidney stones.
3. Bran flakes
Bran flakes, along with other whole grain-rich diets are known to be associated with lowered incidence of kidney stones, thanks to the adequate amounts of minerals, vitamins, and fiber that they possess. Additionally, wheat contains insoluble fiber, that helps in reducing the calcium in the urine, thereby eliminating it through stools.
Remedies
- Consume foods that are rich in fiber, especially when you have kidney stones, like bran flakes and/or whole grain cereals.
- Whole grain breads are also known to be helpful in lowering the risk of kidney stones, thanks to the nutrients, fiber, and protein that they possess.
4. Celery
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Celery is very helpful in relieving pain from kidney stones, thanks to its anti-spasmodic properties. Celery juice helps in flushing out toxins that contribute to the formation of kidney stones. Raw celery juice is a diuretic, meaning it helps increase the volume of urine, while helping flush out the stones.
Remedies
- Extract fresh celery juice and drink it every day to prevent more stones from being formed.
- Brew herbal tea prepared with celery seeds that help treat kidney stones formed due to uric acid accumulation.
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5. Dandelion root
Dandelion root is great in cleansing the kidneys, while also supporting normal kidney function.
Remedy
- Ingest dandelion root pills, but only after consulting a doctor for dosage and frequency.
6. Horsetail
Horsetail is a natural diuretic that helps in flushing out excess water and uric acid from your kidneys.
Remedy
- Brew horsetail tea and drink it 3-4 cups every day to help with kidney stones.
7. Kidney beans
Kidney beans are rich in fiber that can be very effective in treating any kind of bladder or kidney problem, including kidney stones.
Remedies
- Put the beans in hot water, letting it simmer on low flame for hours, till the beans are soft and tender to the touch. Strain the liquid, letting it cool completely. Strain it again, drink the liquid several times through the day to help relieve pain caused by kidney stones.
- Consume kidney beans in salads and soups as well.
Tip: Do not keep the liquid for more than 24 hours, since it will lose its therapeutic properties.
8. Lemon juice and olive oil
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The combination of olive oil and lemon juice has been used in treating kidney stones successfully for a long time. The citric acid found in lemon juice helps in breaking down the calcium-based kidney stones, while also curbing further growth.
Remedy
- In a clean bowl, mix together 4 tablespoons each of fresh lemon juice and olive oil. Mix well and consume this, followed by plenty of water. Repeat this remedy thrice a day for up to 3 days, by which time you would have passed the kidney stones in your urine.
9. Nettle leaf
Nettle leaf helps in maintaining the flow of water through the bladder and kidneys, which in turn promotes smooth urination. It also helps in keeping bacteria that cause infection away, while also helping curb the formation of crystals into stones.
Remedy
- To 1 cup of hot water, add 2 teaspoons of dried nettle leaves and cover it with a lid. Allow it to steep for 10 minutes, before straining it. Drink three cups of this nettle tea every day for several weeks for best results.
10. Pomegranate
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Pomegranate seeds and juice contain astringent properties that are helpful in treating kidney stones effectively.
Remedies
- Drink 1 glass of freshly extracted pomegranate juice or eat a whole pomegranate every day to help get rid of the kidney stones.
- Grind 1 tablespoon of pomegranate seeds into a fine paste. Consume this with 1 cup of horse gram soup once every day to help dissolve the stones.
11. Watermelon
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Watermelon is another amazing ingredient which helps get rid of kidney stones that are composed of calcium and magnesium phosphates and carbonates. Watermelon contains potassium, which is vital for the health of kidneys. Additionally, watermelon also helps in regulating and maintaining the acid level in the urine. Since watermelon contains a high concentration of water, it helps in flushing out toxins and stones from the kidneys.
Remedies
- Eating watermelon regularly is known to be helpful in treating as well as preventing kidney stones.
- Another option is to brew tea with watermelon seeds.
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12. Wheatgrass
Wheatgrass juice is known to be highly effective in treating kidney stones and other kidney-related conditions naturally. Wheatgrass juice possesses potassium, B-vitamins, iron, magnesium, chlorophyll, and amino acids, which boost kidney health.
Remedy
- Extract basil juice from fresh leaves and wheatgrass juice separately, and keep them aside in separate bowls. To 1 glass of wheatgrass juice, add 1 teaspoon each of lemon juice and basil juice and mix well. Drink this thrice a day for best results.
These are all the amazing home remedies for kidney stones that are highly effective. Again, try these only after consulting a physician. Do NOT try them without consulting a doctor.
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