Anyone who has had kidney stones will tell you that they are extremely painful. The pain of passing a kidney stone has even been compared by some to the pain of giving birth. If you find yourself suffering from kidney stones, you may think that your only course of treatment involves prescription drugs or other medical intervention. However, there are some herbal remedies for kidney stones that may work just as well for you.
Kidney stones are caused when crystals form in the urine in your kidneys. These crystals clump together into hard masses of varying sizes. Smaller kidney stones may be passed in your urine with no problems or pain. Larger stones, however, can remain in the kidneys or cause you great pain as your body attempts to flush them out in your urine. These larger kidney stones need to be broken up or dissolved to avoid such painful situations.
Goldenrod, hydrangea, and lemon juice are all popular herbal remedies for kidney stones. Not only do these remedies help to get rid of the actual kidney stones, but they can also help to lessen or completely eliminate any pain that you might have experienced while passing the kidney stones. Goldenrod is also helpful to reduce the pains and cramping associated with passing kidney stones, as is another herbal remedy called cramp bark. Some people who have suffered with kidney stones also swear by olive oil, alfalfa, or lime juice as excellent remedies for the condition and its associated symptoms.
When passing kidney stones, you may also experience some bleeding. There are several herbal remedies that can help to lessen this bleeding. These herbs include nettles, yarrow, and Saint-John’s-wort.
A less common form of kidney stones is uric acid stones. Uric acid stones are formed when your urine is too acidic. There are herbal remedies for uric acid stones as well. You can use sarsaparilla, plantain, and meadowsweet to raise the alkalinity of your urine. This will mean your urine is less acidic, and uric acid stones will therefore be less likely to form.
If you have success with herbal remedies for kidney stones, you may want to consider changing your diet to prevent future stones. Kidney stone formation can be reduced by avoiding caffeine, drinking plenty of water, and eating more fiber, among other dietary changes. If you have a tendency to get uric acid stones, you should limit your protein intake and add foods like strawberries, asparagus, and cherries to your diet. These foods will keep the acidity of your urine low.
You should always discuss herbal remedies and diet changes with your doctor before attempting to treat or prevent kidney stones with either method. He or she can give you the best advice specific to your type of kidney stones and your personal medical history. Always report any change in symptoms or development of new symptoms to your doctor promptly, so that he or she can decide if you need further medical intervention. With your doctor’s guidance, herbal remedies for kidney stones are a great, all-natural way to cure or prevent a very painful condition.
