BEST NATURAL REMEDIES FOR KIDNEY STONES

Kidney stones Approximately 1% to 20% of the population suffers from kidney stones, making them one of the most common disorders in the urinary tract. Kidney stones can be treated and prevented with various phytotherapeutic and natural herbal remedies. [1]

KIDNEY STONES:

• A kidney stone is a hard deposit of minerals and salts that develops within the kidneys. Different terms are used to describe kidney stones (Renal calculi, nephrolithiasis, and urolithiasis)
• Kidney Stones may be present without producing either symptoms or significant renal damage.
• In addition, your urine may be deficient in chemicals that prevent crystals from forming into kidney stones. They might be as little as a grain of sand to the size of a golf ball.[2]

TYPES OF KIDNEY STONES

There are three major types of Kidney stones. 

• About 80% of Kidney stones are composed of either calcium oxalate or calcium oxalate mixed with calcium phosphate. 
• Ten percent are composed of magnesium ammonium phosphate. 
• Six percent to 9% are either uric acid or cystine stones.[3]

CAUSE OF KIDNEY STONE FORMATION:

There are different causes of kidney stone formation, depending on their types. 

Calcium-containing kidney stones. Probably involved are predisposing conditions:

• Including the concentration of the solute
• Changes in urine pH and bacterial infections.
• Increased urinary concentration of the stone’s constituents so that it exceeds their solubility in urine (supersaturation).Patients who get calcium stones have a condition called hypercalciuria, which is not related to high blood calcium levels. Some people are born with a primary kidney abnormality that prevents them from properly absorbing calcium (renal hypercalciuria) [4]

Magnesium ammonium phosphate Kidney stones almost always occur in persons with persistently alkaline urine resulting from UTIs. In particular, infections with urea-splitting bacteria, such as Proteus Vulgaris and staphylococci.

Uric acid Kidney stones

Some diseases, like Gout and leukaemia, that cause cells to die and grow back quickly can cause high levels of uric acid in the urine and the possibility of uric acid kidney stones.

Cystine kidney stones 

are due to genetically determined defects in the renal transport of certain amino acids, including cystine.

The renal pelvis, calyces, and bladder are the most common sites where stones originate anatomically. One kidney is frequently the site of several stones. They are typically small (diameter 2 to 3 mm on average) and may have a smooth surface.[5]

NATURAL REMEDIES FOR THE PREVENTION OF KIDNEY STONES

For the prevention of kidney stones, many herbal remedies have been described.

Consumption of citric acid

Organic acids like citric acid are found in many fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits. Most of this plant compound is found in lemons and limes. Increasing Citric acid consumption may help prevent calcium oxalate kidney stones. Best natural remedy for kidney stones.[6]

Preventing stone formation: As a calcium chelator, it can help prevent kidney stone formation.

Stone growth inhibition: It forms a chemical bond with existing calcium oxalate crystals, preventing them from growing in size.

limiting sodium intake

If you’re prone to kidney stones, limiting sodium intake may be beneficial. The calcium concentration in your urine may be increased by the addition of sodium to your diet.[7]

Intake of Apple cider Vinegar:

Widely used home remedy as natural cures for various ailments is apple cider vinegar (ACV). Purported uses include dissolving kidney stones and preventing their formation.

Calcium-rich foods

Some people may be helped by getting adequate calcium to avoid developing kidney stones, and Calcification of oxalate by calcium may limit its absorption.

It is common for calcium in the food to be unable to be absorbed because of the presence of oxalate. The kidneys then don’t have to pass it through the urinary system.

Limit oxalates-rich foods

Oxalate (oxalic acid) is found in many plant foods, including leafy greens, fruits, and vegetables. Increased excretion of oxalate in the urine may be caused by a high dietary consumption of oxalic acid., which is problematic for people who tend to form calcium oxalate crystals

Oxalate can bind calcium and other minerals, forming crystals that can lead to Kidney stone formation

Magnesium-rich foods

Adults should consume 420 milligrams of magnesium per day. You can get enough magnesium in your diet by eating avocados, beans, and tofu. Found an effective natural remedy for kidney stones.

Magnesium supplementation has been linked to lower oxalate absorption and, therefore, a lower risk of kidney stone formation.

Drink Plenty of Water

The passage of a stone can be sped up by drinking a lot of water. The production of kidney stones can also be attributed to a lack of water consumption. In order to avoid being dehydrated when passing a kidney stone, you should consume at least 12 glasses of water.[8]

CHANCA PIEDRA (PHYLLANTHUS NIRURI)

Phyllanthus niruri, also known as gale of the wind, stonebreaker, or seed-under-leaf, is a common tropical plant found in coastal locations. Herbs of chanca piedra are used and Medicine is made from the entire plant.

Phyllanthus niruri (P.niruri), or stone breaker, is a plant commonly used to reduce stone risk.

Phyllanthus niruri (P.niruri) is playing an effective role as a natural remedy for the treatment of kidney stones.[9]

STONE-BREAKER:

Chanca piedra is best known for being a possible treatment for kidney stones, which is how it got the name “stone breaker.”

Since the herb is alkaline, it might help stop acidic kidney stones from forming. It’s a cheaper alternative to prescription potassium citrate, which is an alkalizing agent often used to prevent acidic kidney stones. It may also help you urinate more 

Patients who had kidney stones took 4.5 grams of chanca piedra every day; researchers found that the size and number of kidney stones went down in about two-thirds of the people.

Kidney stone is one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide, and calcium oxalate has been shown to be the main component of the majority of stones formed in the urinary system of patients. 

Traditional knowledge about how to use plants as medicine and herbal remedies for curing chronic diseases is proving its worth to modern society Day by day.[10]

It has been clinically proved that chanca Piedra (Phyllanthus niruri) helps with inhibiting the kidney stone formation and dissolution of already exiting stones in the renal system.

Phyllanthus niruri (P. niruri) is the most commonly listed active ingredient in commercially available herbal therapies for kidney stones.

Chanca Piedra (Phyllanthus niruri) influencesthe possibility of calcium oxalate and uric acid stones recurring in the future.

One of the most studied PHYTOTHERAPEUTICS, Phyllanthus niruri’s findings suggest that: [11]

• It interferes with calcium oxalate crystallization,
• Reduces hyperoxaluria and hyperuricosuria
• Increases the efficacy of shock wave lithotripsy due to reduced crystallization without significant adverse effects
• It increases urinary excretion of magnesium and potassium, causing a significant decrease in urinary oxalate 
• decrease in uric acid in patients with hyperoxaluria and hyperuricosuria. 
• The consumption of Phyllanthus niruri (P.niruri) contributed to the elimination of urinary calculi.
• Kidney Stone formation inhibitor effect and Kidney stone dissolving effect of Phyllanthus niruri extracts
• Potential agent to prevent and/or treat urolithiasis
• The beneficial clinical effects of Phyllanthus are ureteral relaxation
• Phyllanthus niruri also helps to eliminate calculi or to clear fragments following lithotripsy
• Phyllanthus niruri Also help to a putative reduction of the excretion of urinary crystallization promoters such as calcium.
• Phyllanthus niruri herb has alkalizing properties that may help prevent acidic kidney stones from forming.

REFERENCES AND CITATIONS:

[1] KHARE, PRACHI, et al. “STUDY ON IN VITRO ANTI-LITHIATIC ACTIVITY OF PHYLLANTHUS NIRURI LINN. LEAVES BY  HOMOGENOUS PRECIPITATION AND TURBIDITORY METHO.” International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, vol. Vol 6, no. 4, 29 Jan. 2014.

[2,3,4,5] Chicago Style Citation. Kumar, Vinay, Abul K. Abbas, Jon C. Aster, and James A. Perkins. Robbins Basic Pathology. Tenth edition. Philadelphia: Elsevier, 2018.

[6,7,8] “8 Natural Remedies to Fight Kidney Stones at Home.” 8 Natural Remedies to Fight Kidney Stones at Home, www.healthline.com, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/kidney-stone-remedies. Accessed 19 July 2022.

[9] “Phyllanthus Niruri (Stone Breaker) Herbal Therapy for Kidney Stones; a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Efficacy, and Google Trends Analysis of Public Interest – PubMed.” PubMed, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, 1 Apr. 2020, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32333735/.

[10] KHARE, PRACHI, et al. “STUDY ON IN VITRO ANTI-LITHIATIC ACTIVITY OF PHYLLANTHUS NIRURI LINN. LEAVES BY  HOMOGENOUS PRECIPITATION AND TURBIDITORY METHO.” International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, vol. Vol 6, no. 4, 29 Jan. 2014.

[11] “Phytotherapy and Herbal Medicines for Kidney Stones – PubMed.” PubMed, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, 1 Jan. 2021, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32990535/#:~:text=Theobromine%20has%20been%20shown%20to,patients%20or%20in%20animal%20models.