Since the pain of passing a kidney stone has been likened by some to be the equivalent of having a root canal without anesthesia, you’re probably eager to know how you can prevent them, get rid of them ad sooth the pain as quickly as possible. We’ll give you 15 home remedies for kidney stones to soothe the pain, but first, what are they?
The worst news, for those who happen to have the genetic disposition, is that kidney stones are hereditary. They occur when calcium, sodium or uric acid builds up to such levels in the kidneys that they can’t be eliminated through urination. These substances form chemical bonds inside the kidney and are passed into the urethra. If they remain small enough, they’ll pass through without incident, but if they are a little too large to pass through easily, they create intense pain. The only way to reduce that pain is to dissolve the stone as it is being passed or prevent them from forming.
Our list of 15 home remedies for kidney stones to soothe the pain can bring you some relief, but these are not all inclusive cures. A health care professional ought to be contacted when cases are more severe.
15 Home Remedies for Kidney Stones to Soothe the Pain
Avoiding Certain Foods
At the top of our list of home remedies for kidney stones is preventing them through avoiding certain foods.
What to do:
- Eliminate the greatest triggers soy and beer from your diet.
- Avoid a diet high in sugar, refined salt and sodas, even diet sodas.
- Reduce your consumption of chocolate, wheat flour and nuts.
How it works:
Soy and beer are extremely high in oxalate, which encourage the formation of kidney stones. Though not as concentrated, chocolate, wheat flour and nuts are also high in oxalate. Sugar, salt and soda tend to increase the amount of calcium in your urine.
Drink Water
One of the best home remedies for kidney stones is also the simplest one; drinking water.
What to do:
- Ideally, your urine should be clear or pale yellow if you are well hydrated.
- As a rule of thumb, try to consume the number of oz. in water as half of your weight in pounds on a daily basis. For example, if you weigh 140 pounds, you should try to drink 70 oz. of water daily.
- Increase your water intake when you are working out or more active.
How it works:
Dehydration is the number one cause of kidney stones because water is necessary to help dissolve excess mineral buildup and flush it out of your body.
Pomegranate Juice
Pomegranate juice is another stellar member on our list of home remedies for kidney stones.
What to do:
- Consume 8 to 12 ounces of pomegranate juice twice daily.
- Double its consumption when you’ve developed a kidney stone.
How it works:
Studies showed that pomegranate juice helps prevent kidney stone formation and encourages the elimination of the three main causes (calcium, sodium and uric acid) through the urine.
Nettle Leaf Tea
Nettle leaf tea can also contribute significantly when it comes to home remedies for kidney stones relief.
What to do:
- Add ½ to ¾ cup of nettle leaves to 2 cups of boiling water.
- Simmer water for several minutes and then allow the tea to steep.
- Strain out the nettles and drink the tea 2 to 3 times daily.
How it works:
As a diuretic, nettle leaves flush excess minerals and toxins from the kidneys, halt the development of existing stones, and discourage new stones from forming.
High Fiber Diet
A high fiber diet is also recommended as one of the top home remedies for kidney stones prevention.
What to do:
- Make it a habit of consuming foods that are high in fiber on a daily basis.
- Consider adding a fiber supplement to your daily routine.
How it works:
By eating a high fiber diet, excess minerals and uric acid binds to solid waste and is eliminated through your colon rather than building up in your kidneys.
Watermelon
Another delicious member of our list of home remedies for kidney stones is watermelon.
What to do:
- Add 2 to 3 slices of watermelon to your daily diet when you’re suffering from kidney stone buildup.
- Make watermelon a part of your regular diet along with other melons, like in a Lime-mint melon salad.
How it works:
Besides the high concentration of water that helps flush toxins from your kidneys, the potassium in water melon encourages proper kidney function and discourages mineral buildup.
Vitamin A
Our list of home remedies for kidney stones would not be complete without adding vitamin A.
What to do:
- Consume 1 medium carrot on a daily basis, add a stock of celery for an added boost.
- Sweet potatoes, broccoli, pumpkin and winter squash are also good dietary additions.
- You can also take a vitamin A supplement of up to 5,000 IU daily.
How it works:
Vitamin A is essential for urinary tract health and proper kidney function, which decreases your risk of developing kidney stones.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice can also be added as another of the effective home remedies for kidney stones.
What to do:
- Take 1 Tbsp of olive oil and add the juice of one lemon to it.
- Drink the mixture 2 to 3 times a day.
- You can also consume 1 tsp of lemon juice in 8 oz. of warm water first thing in the morning and 20 to 30 minutes before each meal.
How it works:
The combination of citric acid in lemons and the medium chain fatty acids in olive oil help stop kidney stone growth and dissolve them for easier passage.
Apple Cider Vinegar
If you’re looking for one of the top home remedies for kidney stones apple cider vinegar is one of the best.
What to do:
- Mix 2 Tbsp of apple cider vinegar in an 8 oz. glass of warm water.
- Add a little honey if desired and drink it several times a day to help pass stones.
How it works:
Acetic acid in apple cider vinegar metabolizes into an alkaline form which helps dissolve kidney stones.
Basil
Basil is another household item and readily available among home remedies for kidney stones.
What to do:
- Take a teaspoon of basil juice every four to six hours in order to help pass a stone.
- Or, chew 2 to 3 leaves of raw basil several times throughout the day.
How it works:
Basil is considered one of the best tonics for inducing the expulsion of stones from the urinary tract.
Citrus Essential Oils
Citrus essential oils are also effective as home remedies for kidney stones.
What to do:
- Add 2 to 3 drops of lemon, lime, orange or grapefruit essential oil to 8 oz. of water and drink it twice a day.
How it works:
Citrus essential oils support liver and kidney detoxification, which reduces the risk of mineral buildup.
Magnesium
Another list topper of our home remedies for kidney stones is magnesium.
What to do:
- Take 250 mg of magnesium supplement twice a day.
- It’s best to add foods that are rich in magnesium to your diet.
How it works:
Not only does magnesium inhibit inflammatory enzymes, which increase kidney stone pain, but they also help to prevent kidney stone formation.
Dandelion Root
The root from what most people consider to be a weed, dandelion, is among our favorite home remedies for kidney stones.
What to do:
- Bring 1 cup of water to a boil and add 1 Tbsp of chopped dandelion roots.
- Allow the tea to simmer 5 minutes, steep another 5 minutes and then strain out the roots and drink, adding a little honey if desired.
- Drink a couple times a day.
- You can also take 250 mg dandelion root supplement daily.
How it works:
The taraxacin found in dandelions helps to cleanse toxins and mineral buildup in the kidneys and supports proper kidney function.
Helichrysum Oil
Helichrysum Oil can be used topically as another of the possible home remedies for kidney stones.
What to do:
- Add 2 to 3 drops of helichrysum oil to 1 tsp of coconut or olive oil as a carrier.
- Massage the oil into the affected area or where the kidneys are located in the lower back.
- Place a warm compress over the applied area for 45 to 60 minutes.
- Repeat several times daily.
How it works:
Helichrysum oil helps to relieve pain and also aids in the breakup of the stone to make it easier to pass.
Aloe Vera Juice
Last but not least on our list of home remedies for kidney stones is aloe vera juice.
What to do:
- Consume ¼ cup of aloe vera juice straight or in warm water daily.
How it works:
Not only will aloe vera bring some pain relief when you’re trying to pass a stone, but it also helps reduce the formation of the stones.
Conclusion
The excruciating pain of kidney stones is something to be avoided at all costs. If you have a hereditary disposition toward kidney stones, you’ll want to take every precaution you can to prevent them. If and when kidney stones strike, make use of one of our 15 home remedies for kidney stones to soothe the pain and get back to being yourself again.
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