Herbs to Break Up Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are small, hard deposits of salts and minerals on the inner surfaces of the kidneys. Concentrated urine can cause the minerals to crystallize and turn to kidney stones. While they cause no permanent damage, kidney stones can be painful to pass. The stones result from a variety of causes including certain medications, gout, kidney disease, metabolic disorders or inflammatory bowel disease.

Traditional Treatments for Kidney Stones

• Once kidney stones are developed, there are a variety of treatments practitioners use based on the size and cause of the stones. Stones are often left to pass through the system on their own with increased fluid intake. Larger stones may require the use of ultrasonic shock waves, which break up the stones and make them easier to pass. Surgery may be necessary to remove the stones if they are very large.

Herbal Treatments for Kidney Stones

• Herbal treatments for kidney stones may come in capsule, liquid, powder or tea form. They should be administered with the help of a nutritionist, herbalist, physician or therapist. Lemon juice, gravel root (Joe-Pye weed) and hydrangea are used to help patients eliminate kidney stones faster and alleviate the pain associated with the elimination. Herbs that can reduce the infection, pain and spasms associated with kidney stones are goldenrod and cramp bark.

  Bleeding sometimes associated with kidney stones can be reduced with agrimony, horsetail, yarrow, shepherd's purse, nettle or St. John's wort.

Preventative Herbs for Kidney Stones

• Because patients sometimes have recurring kidney stones, herbs can be used as a preventive treatment as well. Herbs can be used to prevent the buildup of certain chemicals, acids or compounds in the body. Because kidney stones are often composed of calcium, herbs that help reduce excess calcium in the urinary tract are particularly effective. Cranberries and rose hips have been found effective in reducing excess calcium.

  According to MotherNature.com, rosemary has been found to almost completely inhibit urease, which can contribute to kidney stones. Because stone formation is in many cases clearly linked to acidic urine, herbs and foods that make urine more alkaline can be very helpful. These include cherries, apple juice, strawberries, asparagus, meadowsweet and nettle.