Kidney stones are small, hard deposits that form inside the kidneys. They are made up of acid salts and minerals in the urine that stick together. They resemble small crystalline stones in appearance. Once you have a kidney stone, it can cause extreme pain in your lower back. It would also hurt every time you try to pass urine, making it an uncomfortable situation. In this article, we shall see various natural ways by which you can prevent kidney stones from forming.
While passing out kidney stones may cause quite a bit of pain, it generally leaves no permanent damage to the kidneys or the urinary tract. However, if you get no relief from the pain and if the circumstances evolve to pain while vomiting and nausea with chills or a fever, you may need to consult a doctor. This also applies to situations where you find blood in the urine, or extreme pain while trying to urinate.
Ways to Prevent Kidney Stones:
1.) Hydrate to Prevent Kidney Stones
Drinking water is the easiest way to prevent kidney stones from occurring. When you drink plenty of water, this allows the dilution of the substance that causes kidney stones. It is necessary to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water in a day. This helps to dilute and dispose of toxins from your system when you pass 2 liters of urine per day. If you have a history of kidney stones, then this method is absolutely crucial to keep them from reoccurring. One measure to see how much more water you should consume is the color of your urine. Darker colored urine means you must drink more water, whereas lighter colored urine means you can have less or the same amount of water.
2.) Avoid Oxalates to Stop Kidney Stones
Oxalates are a naturally-occurring matter that is present in a number of foods. This substance is not generally harmful, but it becomes so when it accumulates in our body without being released. Oxalates serve to halt the absorption of calcium into the body, causing it to collect and form a stone. Contrary to popular belief, calcium should not be reduced as this has the counter-effect of increasing chances for kidney stones. Rather, it is advisable to reduce foods that have high oxalate content.
Almonds, cashew nuts, rhubarb, spinach, soy products are examples of such foods. Other foods are grains like oatmeal and whole grain, and even chocolate.
3.) Avoid Kidney Stones with Celery
This unassuming vegetable is great to get rid of any pain caused by kidney stones. This is because of its antispasmodic properties. In addition, celery is a great way to cure and further prevent kidney stones from reoccurring. It contains an active compound called phthalides that helps to boost blood circulation. Increased blood circulation means the toxins in our system will be flushed out faster, not allowing for the mineral deposits to occur. Raw celery juice also acts as a diuretic, meaning it increases the volume of urine, which flushes out the stones before they form.
Simply drink ½ a glass of celery juice mixed with ½ a glass of water. Drink this once every day, or once every 2 days.
4.) Wheatgrass to Prevent Kidney Stones
Juiced wheatgrass is highly effective to treat and prevent kidney stones from reoccurring. Similar in function to celery juice, wheatgrass juice acts as a mild natural diuretic. And so, it increases the urine production which helps to flush out the substances that form kidney stones. In addition, wheatgrass juice is an excellent source of natural magnesium, iron, amino acids, potassium, and B vitamins.
Simply drink one glass of wheatgrass juice mixed with 1 teaspoon each of basil juice and lemon juice. Have this twice a day.
5.) Lemon-Olive Oil Cure for Kidney Stones
Lemon juice and olive oil mixture are very effective to prevent kidney stones. This solution is useful to break down the kidney stones into small particles. This allows them to be flushed out from the system easily through urination. The main ingredient that helps to break down the stones is the citric acid present in lemons. The olive oil helps to soothe the pain. This treatment is also effective to remove gall bladder stones.
Mix together 4 tablespoons each of olive oil and fresh lemon juice. Drink this solution twice a day for three days to help prevent kidney stones.
6.) Avoid Kidney Stones with Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has been stated under many home remedies to cure a number of illnesses. This wonder cure can also be treating and further preventing kidney stones from forming. Apple cider vinegar has an alkalizing effect on the blood and urine. Therefore, it helps to dissolve the substances that may be the cause for a kidney stone. If you want to get rid of an existing kidney stone, then you will need to regularly consume this solution.
Mix together 2 tablespoons of organic apple cider vinegar and 1 tablespoon of honey in a cup of warm water. Drink this at least once every day.
7.) Dandelions to Stop Kidney Stones
The root of this herb acts as a kidney tonic, which stimulates the production of bile. This carries away any waste and also helps for better digestion. Dandelion leaves possess the quality that makes them a natural diuretic. In addition, this herb contains important antiviral and anti-inflammatory qualities. These properties help to soothe any pain caused by kidney stones. Also, drinking dandelion tea can help to break down and dissolve the kidney stones.
Incorporate dandelion leaves into salads or other such recipes. Brew yourself a cup of dandelion tea and drink this 2-3 times in a day.
8.) Nettle Tea to Prevent Kidney Stones
Nettle leaf tea is an excellent natural remedy to avoid the formation of kidney stones. It contains properties that make it a natural blood purifier. It helps to flush out the toxins that form into kidney stones from the system. In addition, it can help to dissolve existing kidney stones. It is packed with essential vitamins like vitamin A, C, E, B1 and B5, and amino acids and proteins. Nettle tea is also an excellent natural diuretic.
Make yourself a glass of nettle tea. All you will need is 2 teaspoons of dried nettle leaves steeped in a cup of hot water for 10 minutes. Drink this tea twice in a day for at least 2 weeks.
9.) Avoid Kidney Stones with Parsley
This herb is packed with vitamins A, B and C, and minerals such as potassium, thiamin, and copper. All of these helps to clean the kidneys, and especially relevant is potassium. Doctors would usually treat chronic kidney stones with potassium citrate. Hence, parsley is an excellent natural way to prevent any kidney stones from occurring or recurring. Perhaps the best way to ingest parsley for this purpose is to make a herbal brew.
Simply chop up some fresh parsley leaves and boil with one cup of water. Strain and allow the tea to cool. Drink this brew on a regular basis. This is especially relevant is you have already experienced kidney stones once.
10.) Basil for Kidney Stone Prevention
Basil is another good herb to help stop kidney stone formation. It contains saponins, lupeol, and lupeol linoleate, all of which are thought to help with halt the stone formation process. In addition, it contains acetic acid, other essential oils and many active compounds that aid in maintaining kidney health. Also, basil acts as a detoxifying agent and a natural diuretic. This helps to expel the stones and promote urine flow out of the body.
You can brew some basil herbal tea to sip on at least once a day. Alternatively, you can simply mix 1 teaspoon of thai basil juice with 1 teaspoon of honey and consume once a day.
11.) Turmeric to Prevent Kidney Stones
Turmeric is known widely for its medicinal benefits. This natural remedy has been used to combat a variety of illnesses and conditions. It is also useful to prevent kidney stones from occurring. It contains a compound called curcumin which acts as a curative agent that helps reduce inflammation and fight free radicals. In addition, this chemical is useful to heal kidneys and maintain kidney health. It aids to increase urine output. This action helps to flush out toxins from the kidneys and urinary tract.
All you need to do is mix 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder in 1 glass of warm water. Drink this once a day for a week.
12.) Prevent Kidney Stones with Uva Ursi
This is a botanical medicine that, once consumed, effectively safeguard the kidneys and urinary tract from infections. Uva ursi contains antiseptic, antioxidant, and anti-adhesive properties that work to break down kidney stones and stop future stone formation.
You can make yourself some uva ursi brew. Do this by simmering 1 tablespoon of uva ursi leaves in 2 cups of water for 40 minutes. Take this twice in a day. You can also obtain uva ursi supplements at any natural health store.