6 All Natural Kidney Stone Remedies

6 All Natural Kidney Stone Remedies

6 All Natural Kidney Stone Remedies
via flickr

If you’ve ever had a kidney stone, you’re not likely to forget the stinging pain that comes along with these tiny masses. Rumbling around in your inner organs, kidney stones bounce around creating havoc and pain, trying to find a way out. All the while, you’re wreathing and writhing on the floor until you can get yourself to a doctor.

If you’ve experienced this, you are not alone: about 10% of people have battled kidney stones. They tend to hit most in their 30’s or 40’s, and once a person experiences their first stone, more are likely to come. It is also, unfortunately, a hereditary trait, so if your parents have had one at some point, you may be more susceptible.

Your kidneys work hard every day to filter out impurities in your system. These vital detox-ers sift out lingering minerals and acidic salts in your urine like calcium, phosphorous, and uric acid. When this filtering doesn’t efficiently occur, these extra properties crystallize and form a tiny, painful kidney stone.

Before you think it’s all a lost cause, take faith in these handy remedies. By understanding your kidneys, their job, and how they work, you’ll be able to adjust a few of your daily routines to better prevent these painful little guys. Putting yourself back in balance is actually easy and will help your overall health in the end. Try one of these simple and natural remedies or try a few, and they’ll keep those buggers away and keep you on your feet.

1. Drink Water

Dehydration is the top reason for kidney stones. Help your organs out by providing them with an H2O boost. Adequate water intake will allow you to flush out these extra minerals in your system. Six to eight 8-ounce glasses is what most people need to properly hydrate, however, if you’re suffering from kidney stones, you may want to up your intake even more. Water is obviously the choice beverage for optimal hydration, but if it helps to get you drinking more, try a few extra cups of decaffeinated tea. Keep track of your hydration status by checking in on your urine color. If that doesn’t prove helpful, many pharmacies carry measuring devices which fits inside your toilet bowl and easily measures your output which should be about 40 to 45 ounces daily.

 Drink-Water

2. Apple Cider Vinegar Treatment

A few tonics can be great for breaking up and removing pesky stones. Perhaps the most effective method is to mix yourself an apple cider tonic. All you’ll need is 2 to 3 teaspoons per day. At morning, afternoon, and evening, try mixing a teaspoon into a glass of water and add a natural sweetener if you so prefer. If you are looking for other  Apple Cider Vinegar Health Benefits then check out my recent article called  8 Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

 Apple Cider Vinegar Treatment
Veganbaking via flickr

3. Skip the Meat Protein

Diets high in protein are closely linked to the occurrence of kidney stones. That is due to the acceleration of uric acid and calcium production that happens when these proteins are broken down in the kidneys. Avoid meat when possible and if the problem persists, you may want to limit even more sources of protein than meat.

Protein

4. Double-Up on Fiber

Double-Up on Fiber
spablab via flickr

Fiber cuts the chances of the formation of kidney stones by reducing mineral levels in your urine. Adjusting your diet can do a lot to stay free and clear of these stones, and adding some fiber is a great way to do just that. Legumes, whole wheats, fruits, and green leafy vegetables are all great additions. Many of these foods have an added bonus of containing magnesium. This helpful and hearty nutrient is important for a lot of bodily functions, and your kidneys are no different. Fuel yourself with this extra fiber and magnesium and forget about kidney stones.

5. Nettle Leaf

You may know nettle leaf as a great protection against seasonal allergies, but it is also a wonderful remedy for kidney stones too. Not only does a bit of this tea help as a diuretic to flush out toxins, but it also helps crystals from forming in the first place. As a helpful detox, nettle leaf teas wash away bacteria and minerals, leaving your kidneys healthy and happy. Just add 2 or 3 cups a day to your daily hydration plan, and you’ll start reaping the many benefits of this tea quickly and easily.

6. Pomegranate Juice

Pomegranate Juice
via flickr

Another helpful beverage is pomegranate juice. Like nettle leaf tea, this juice also packs a double punch, but with it, you’ll get an extra dose of antioxidants. In the same way as nettle leaf tea, pomegranate juice not only helps to flush toxins from your system, but also keeps crystals from forming so easily in your kidney. Add a dose of this juice to your breakfast or as an afternoon treat.

7. Exercise

Exercise strengthens so many parts of the body, including your internal organs. It also facilitates how these organs function. Exercise helps the flow of calcium out of your blood and into your bones. That way, your bones will be stronger with that calcium they need, and extra calcium won’t build up and cause kidney stones.

8. Say Bye to Processed Foods

A common culprit to most kidney stones is an over abundance of processed salt. The presence of these salts in the urine create the perfect storm for kidney stones, and the best way to prevent their occurrence is to skip processed foods altogether. Since they are so high in processed salt, these highly treated foods amp up your likelihood for painful kidney stones as they just add to the bevy of toxins that your kidney has to fight to filter out of your system.

Many processed foods contain not only processed fats but sugars too. These sugars add a lot of extra work for your body to break down including your kidneys. By eliminating as many of these harmful foods from your diet as possible, you’ll be doing all of the organs in your body a favor and will enjoy the benefits of a more efficient, healthy, and durable body.