Folklore Remedy for Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are a painful condition in which crystallization of chemicals form stones in the kidneys. According to the National Kidney Information Clearing House, "Scientists have found evidence of kidney stones in a 7,000-year-old Egyptian mummy." Most kidney stones are passed with out medical intervention, but for centuries, people have come up with various folklore techniques, diets and tonics to prevent or get rid of them.

What Are Kidney Stones?

• Kidney stones are usually crystallized calcium, oxalate or phosphate that comes from the foods we eat. According to the National Kidney Information Clearing House, "Normally, urine contains chemicals that prevent or inhibit the crystals from forming. These inhibitors do not seem to work for everyone, however, so some people form stones."

  Doctors today, with our modern knowledge of kidney stones, have come up with dietary recommendations to avoid the formation of stones. Drinking plenty of water, 2 to 3 qt. a day, is highly recommended. Some doctors tell their patients to avoid foods high in calcium such as dairy products. Some doctors suggest staying away from supplements or medications with vitamin D, such as antacids. Eating less meat has also been recommended. (reference 1, National Kidney and Urological...)

Warning

• For centuries people have tried to cure or prevent kidney stones. It is interesting to read about these folklore remedies and try to figure out what logic they might have used to come up with them. The effectiveness and safety of these remedies is not known. It is not recommended that you use any of them; they could be quite risky. It's always best to consult your doctor before trying any home or folklore remedy.

Ancient Europe

• In some parts of ancient Europe, kidney stones were thought of as real gravel and stones. In ancient Scotland, it was believed that the blood of wild goats could break up or dissolve kidney stones. Maybe the reason for this was that goats were believed to be able to consume just about anything.

  The advice of physicians at this time was to avoid eating salt. Jumping up and down was believed to break up the stone so it could be passed easier. Wild garlic was thought to soften up a stone.

  In the 1800s, a recipe to remedy kidney stones was to roast the skin of a hedgehog until the prickles became a powder, and add the powder to a drink.

  It was also believed that drinking your own urine could emiminate gravel (stones). Drinking water from a certain well in Ireland was thought to cure stones. In England it was believed that beans formed into kidney stones. (Reference Encyclopedia of Folk Medicine)

North America

• In North America, fruits and vegetables were the focus on curing kidney stones. It was thought that drinking red onion juice could break up a stone, or that if the kernels inside a peach stone (pit) were eaten when you woke up in the morning, great relief would be given to the pain caused by your stones.

  Teas such as horsemint, watermelon seed, corn silk, pansy or sarsaparilla were given to treat stones. Eating strawberries was believed to prevent the formation of stones. (Reference Encyclopedia of Folk Medicine)

American-Indians

• American-Indians used plants to attempt to cure kidney stones. The plant Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi, also known as bearberry, was used as a tonic for the kidneys. (Reference:\ Encyclopedia of Folk Medicine)

  Some American-Indian cultures believed watercress could help liver and kidney problems and dissolve kidney stones. It was also used as a blood purifier. (Reference watercress.com)

Modern Remedies Based on Folklore

• Some folklore remedies for kidney stones are still in use today. The most popular remedy is drinking the combination of lemon juice and olive oil. There are many variations on this remedy, such as vinegar and olive oil, lime juice and coconut oil, eating apples with olive oil, and eating dill pickles in a vinegar base.