Home Remedies For Kidney Stones – Here’s What Can Help

About 12% of the world’s population is affected by kidney stones at least once in their lifetime (1). While medical treatment is paramount, certain home remedies for kidney stones may help ease the symptoms.

The symptoms of kidney stones can be debilitating – apart from the excruciating pain, one may also have to deal with the urge to urinate every few minutes, a feeling of nausea or vomiting, or even bloody urine.

Proper diagnosis and the appropriate line of treatment are important to help resolve the issue. However, the natural remedies listed below might help you ease the pain and discomfort. Check them out and start following them after consulting with your health care provider.

Trivia

A region located in the southern part of the US is known as the “Kidney Stone Belt” as the incidence of kidney stones is very high in that region.

What Are Kidney Stones?

Sometimes, our kidneys may contain small crystal-like solid masses. These are kidney stones, also known as renal calculi. They usually originate in the kidneys but can also develop along the urinary tract that includes the bladder, ureters, and urethra (1).

Let us now see how kidney stones are formed.

How Do They Form?

Kidney stones are caused by inadequate consumption of water.

If you consume less than 8-10 glasses of water a day, you are putting yourself at risk of developing kidney stones. The less amount of water in your body cannot dilute uric acid, which, in turn, makes your urine more acidic. The increasing acidity of urine leads to the formation of stones(1).

If you have been diagnosed with or have a family history of medical conditions like Crohn's diseaseⁱ  A chronic bowel disease that causes inflammation in the digestive tract and leads to symptoms like diarrhea, fatigue, and stomach pain. , urinary tract infections, medullary sponge kidneyⁱ  A congenital disorder characterized by small cysts in the tubes of the fetus’s kidney that occur during birth. , etc., you are likely to develop kidney stones (1).

Some people are more likely to develop kidney stones as compared to others.

Risk Factors

Kidney stones mostly occur in people aged between 20 and 50 years. Also, more men are at risk of developing kidney stones than women. Other risk factors include:

Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted from 2015 to 2018 were analyzed to determine the prevalence and incidence of kidney stones. The study included 10,521 participants and the findings revealed that the prevalence of kidney stones among the study population was 11.0%. The 12-month incidence of kidney stones was estimated to be 2.1%, indicating that there were approximately 2,054 cases of kidney stones per 100,000 adults.

Kidney stones mostly occur in people aged between 20 and 50 years. Also, more men are at risk of developing kidney stones than women. Other risk factors include (1):

• Family history of kidney stones
• Inadequate consumption of water
• Obesity
• Consuming foods with high glucose, salt, and protein
• Inflammatory bowel diseasesⁱ  A group of diseases that cause chronic inflammation in the tissues of the digestive tract, leading to abdominal pain.

Kidney stones require immediate medical attention. They require proper evaluation and treatment by a qualified healthcare provider. The use of the home remedies outlined below should be approached with caution and in consultation with a healthcare professional. In the next section, we will look at some home remedies that may treat its symptoms and reduce the risk of exacerbating the condition.

Home Remedies For Kidney Stones

1. Water

As we have mentioned earlier, inadequate consumption of water is a major cause of kidney stones. Drinking water can help retard the formation of crystals and flushes out calcium and phosphorus from the kidneys (2). Adequate hydration reduces the concentration of calcium and minerals in urine, reducing the risk of kidney stone formation. If you already have kidney stones and are wondering how to flush your kidney easily, drinking enough water is the solution.

You Will Need

10-12 glasses of water

What You Have To Do

Drink 10-12 glasses of water every day.

2. Tomato

Tomatoes are rich in bioactive compounds like citrates that may help treat kidney stones. They can significantly reduce and prevent the formation of stones in your kidneys (3).

You Will Need

• 2 tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

What You Have To Do

1. Make a paste using one or two tomatoes and add a teaspoon of lemon juice to it.
2. Drink it up.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 1-2 times a week.

3. Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is a rich source of vitamin C and citric acid. Citrates are known to reduce the formation of crystals and reduce the supersaturation of urine by increasing its volume (4). A blogger shared the effects of drinking lemonade every few hours on her husband, who was grappling with severe kidney stones. Amazed by the results, she said, “Not only has this remedy worked for my husband several times, but it’s worked for another family member, also (i).”

You Will Need

• 2-3 cups of water
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil

What You Have To Do

1. Add a tablespoon each of lemon juice and olive oil to water.
2. Mix it well and drink it throughout the day.

How Often You Should Do This

Repeat this remedy several times a day for 3-4 weeks.

4. Radish Juice

Studies show that consumption of radish juice increases the excretion of calcium oxalates in your urine. It may also help flush out any crystals that may be building up in your kidneys (5).

You Will Need

1-2 radishes

What You Have To Do

1. Take a radish or two and blend to extract the juice.
2. Have 100 mL of this juice every morning on an empty stomach.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this for 1-2 weeks.

5. Baking Soda

Baking soda can be used to treat kidney stones (6). It is effective in flushing out the crystals in your kidneys and possibly releasing the stones.

You Will Need

• 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda
• A glass of warm water

What You Have To Do

Add a tablespoon of baking soda to a glass of warm water and consume immediately.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 2-3 times a day.

6. Dandelion Root

Dandelion root has bioactive compounds that can help in increasing the volume of urine and preventing the formation of crystals in your kidneys (7).

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of dandelion root
• A glass of warm water

What You Have To Do

1. Steep a teaspoon of dandelion root in boiling water for 10 minutes.
2. Strain and drink the decoction.

How Often You Should Do This

Have this decoction 2-3 times a day.

Note: Make sure you consult your doctor before having dandelion root as it can interact with medications.

7. Horsetail Juice

Horsetail juice exhibits diuretic activity, which means that it can help increase the volume of urine (8). It can also increase the glomerular filtration rateⁱ  Measures the filtration rate at which blood is filtered by glomerulus in the kidneys and determines its level of proper functioning. .

You Will Need

• 2-3 teaspoons of horsetail leaves
• 1 glass of warm water

What You Have To Do

1. Steep two to three teaspoons of horsetail herb in boiling water for about 15 minutes.
2. Strain and drink the decoction.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 2-3 times a day.

Caution: Do not try this remedy if you have diabetes, low potassium or thiamine levels, or are on lithium or heart medications. Consult your doctor.

8. Tribulus Terrestris

Studies show that tribulus terrestris can flush out calcium oxalate crystals formed in the kidneys (9). It also has a significant diuretic effect.

You Will Need

1 teaspoon of extracts of Tribulus terrestris

What You Have To Do

1. Steep a teaspoon of the extracts of tribulus terrestris in boiling water.
2. Strain and consume the decoction.

How Often You Should Do This

Consume this 2-3 times a day until the stones pass in your urine.

9. Basil Leaf

Basil leaves are one of the most common herbs used in traditional medicine and Ayurveda. They have a diuretic effect, which means that they can increase the volume of urine and facilitate the elimination of kidney stones (10). Tea prepared with turmeric, ginger, or nettle leaf also shows an antagonistic effect over kidney stones, mainly due to the presence of flavonoids, anthocyanins, and saponins (11).

You Will Need

• A handful of basil leaves
• A cup of boiling water
• 1 teaspoon of honey (optional)

What You Have To Do

1. Take a handful of basil leaves and let it steep in a cup of boiling water.
2. Strain and consume the decoction.
3. You can add a teaspoon of honey if needed.

How Often You Should Do This

Consume this 2-3 times a day.

10. Fennel

Fennel seeds are rich in several bioactive compounds that may possibly help treat kidney stones. Studies suggest that fennel seeds also can boost kidney function (12). Some also believe that they can aid in breaking down the crystal formation in your kidneys and allow them to be flushed out in your urine. However, more research is needed to support these claims.

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of fennel seed powder
• A cup of boiling water

What You Have To Do

1. Add a teaspoon of fennel seed powder to a cup of boiling water.
2. Mix well and consume after it has cooled down.

How Often You Should Do This

Consume this once a day for a couple of weeks.

Alternative therapy for kidney stones also includes physical solutions like acupuncture, massage, and exercise. Yoga asanas like padahasthasana, paschimottanasana, and dhanurasana give a whole-body massage that stimulates the digestive organs and improves kidney health.

Note: Effective kidney stone treatment is only possible under medical intervention. Thus, do not use these home remedies as an alternative to prescribed medication. Focus on the advice and treatment provided by qualified healthcare professionals when dealing with kidney stones.

While these simple home remedies may reduce the risk of kidney stones or help manage the symptoms, over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers can provide effective temporary relief should the pain aggravate. Home remedies may help manage discomfort, but do not treat the condition itself. Consult your healthcare provider to understand if these remedies interact with your medications. If the condition persists, let your doctor know.

When Should I See A Doctor?

Sometimes, this condition can persist longer than it should and can cause a lot of pain. In such cases, you must consult your doctor. If the stones get stuck in the urinary tract, it can cause acute pain, and you must be taken in for surgery immediately.

Other symptoms that warrant a doctor’s consultation include:

• Vomiting
• Blood in urine
• Cloudy urine
• Fatigue
• Loss of consciousness
• Lower abdominal and genital pain that lasts for more than four weeks

Fun Fact

A kidney stone can be of any size and shape. According to Guinness World Records, the largest one ever recorded was over 5 inches wide.

Making simple lifestyle changes may even help prevent kidney stones. Learn more in the next section.

How To Prevent Kidney Stones?

• Drink Enough Water: Aim to consume at least 8 to 10 glasses of water daily. This can help prevent stone formation that could be caused by the crystallization of certain minerals in the body (13), (14).
• Limit Your Salt Intake: High sodium levels may lead to calcium buildup in the kidneys (15), (16). Limit your salt consumption and be cautious of processed and fast foods.
• Consume A Balanced Diet: Plan a diet rich in fruits and vegetables that provide essential nutrients and reduce the risk of stone formation (17).
• Limit Animal Protein: Excess intake of animal protein can increase the levels of uric acid and calcium in the body and lead to stone formation (18).
• Manage Weight: Obesity may increase the risk of kidney stones (19). You can maintain a healthy weight range by following the right kidney stone diet and exercising regularly.

Infographic: Ingredients That Help Ease Kidney Stone Symptoms At Home

You can significantly reduce the risk of kidney stones by adding a few ingredients to your diet. In the infographic below, we have listed a few remedies that use such ingredients. These, when taken alongside your regular treatment upon your doctor’s approval, may ease the painful symptoms associated with kidney stones. Scroll down for more information!

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Is hot water good for kidney stones?

Yes. Drinking warm water every day in the morning may flush out kidney toxins. However, limited data is available to prove this claim.

Does a heating pad help kidney stones?

Yes. A heating pad or warm bath may provide relief from the intensity of pain associated with kidney stones. However, you should take over-the-counter medication for kidney stones until the stone passes.

How do I know if my kidney stone is moving?

You may experience pain as the kidney stone moves along the urinary tract. In addition, you will urinate often.

Learn how to manage kidney stones with a simple diet. Get tips on how to naturally reduce pain and discomfort by clicking on the video below.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Vd. Naveen SharmaBAMS, Ayurveda Specialist

 

Dr. Naveen Sharma is a renowned Ayurveda specialist with an experience of 10 years. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Ayurveda, Medicine and Surgery(B. A. M. S) from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, in 2007.

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Shaheen NaserHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Shaheen holds a postgraduate degree in Human Genetics and Molecular Biology from Bharathiar University. She is a Geneticist with proficiency in Biotechnology, Immunology, Medical Genetics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Genetic Counseling.

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Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief

Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

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Moksha GandhiHealth & Wellness Writer

Moksha is a health and wellness writer and a certified diet and nutrition coach. Her passion for science and writing has helped her excel in crafting evidence-based articles. Her previous experience in writing science-based research papers ensures that her articles are grounded in research and provide practical tips that are reader-focused.

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