Ayurvedic Treatment & Home Remedies for Kidney stones

Kidney stones are a very commonly known ailment, which can be often confused with gallbladder stones. Both health problems in reality completely differ in treatment and cause. As for kidney stones, they are waste materials formed by our body in the form of crystals, which eventually are found in urine. The reason Kidney stones Ayurvedic treatment might be required is they can get trapped in the urinary pathway and further cause pain and bleeding. 

The beginning of the development of kidney stones could be small but with time they could fill up the inner structures of your kidney. Best situation is when these stones are easily passed through the urinary pathway but if that doesn’t happen, pain develops due to blockage of urinary flow. 

Ayurveda has termed Kidney stones as ‘Vrukka Ashmari’ which literally translates to the kidney stone. Many ayurvedic remedies for kidney stones have been developed over time by practitioners and experts. These remedies are further recommended based on the patient’s health situation. Even the type of stone that you might have developed will differ, which will again affect the treatment plan. 

Understanding Different Types of Kidney Stone

Treatment plan or ayurvedic medicine for kidney stone will be based on the type of kidney stones that have formed in your body. New stones can only be stopped from forming by understanding their kind and the minerals they have formed out of. Generally, there are four types of kidney stones that have been found in patients. 

1. Uric Acid Stones

Presence of scenarios like being overweight, Long term diarrhea, Type 2 Diabetes and high animal protein consumption can lead to acidic urine. Uric acid crystals usually don’t dissolve in acidic urine which leads to forming of these stones. Out of the common number of patients 5-10% of them have uric acid stones. 

2. Calcium stones

Most commonly, it is calcium stones that cause the pain that comes with the ailment and for which you can easily seek. Too much calcium in the urine is often a warning and something that can lead to the formation of this type of stone. There are two types of calcium stones as well, one being more common and forming out of calcium oxalate. The other type comes from calcium phosphate. 

3. Cystine stones

Found in less than 1 per cent of total cases of kidney stones, cystine stones emerge out of a metabolic disorder which is rare in itself. This rare disorder leads to kidneys not being able to absorb cystine, an amino acid found in certain foods, from the urine. Unlike other kinds of kidney stones, these often emerge during childhood. 

4. Struvite Stones

Chronic urinary tract infections lead to an increased risk of the formation of struvite stones in the kidney. These are also not common and because of the presence of certain bacteria, the urine becomes alkaline. This in turn creates magnesium ammonium phosphate or struvite stones. 

Reasons Behind Development of Kidney Stones

Presence of minerals like calcium oxalate or uric acid and in high concentration can push them towards the formation of crystals. These crystals will then stick to each other to further form more kidney stones. The fluid content in your urine is decreased while other substances are more present, which is what leads to the development of kidney stones. 

There can be different reasons for the increase in the mineral concentration that cause kidney stones. It could be anything from what you eat to what you do during the day. It is important to understand the cause before you seek ayurvedic treatment for kidney stones. Some of them have been listed here:

1. You drink less water

Our body constantly loses fluids through sweating and even breathing. Dehydration or not drinking enough water as the body needs can lead to a reduced urine volume. The salts excreted by the body will not be as dissolved, as they will be in an increased urine volume. Hence, to dilute these salts as they pass out of the body, it is important to drink enough water and eventually reduce the risk of stones forming. 

2. Unbalanced diet

Oxalate when it sticks with calcium forms the most common type of kidney stone. This oxalate is found in many foods like spinach, rhubarb and bran cereal etc. One would think to immediately stop consuming foods that have either mineral but the truth is the opposite. If you intake both in a balanced manner, the chances of stones forming are less. 

Too much salt or animal protein can also lead to increased chances of stones forming. Hence, a balanced diet that doesn’t increase calcium levels and decrease citrus levels is recommended under Ayurveda as well. 

3. Weight problems

The risk of getting kidney stones is more when you have an increased body mass index. Acid levels in the urine can increase because of increased body weight which can eventually lead to stone formation. 

4. Medical conditions

Ailments that could be hereditary or are present for any other reasons can increase the levels of calcium in the body. One of the examples is an abnormal growth in parathyroid glands, which are responsible for calcium metabolism in the body. Such medical conditions can create an imbalance which increases the risk of kidney stones. 

Related read: Natural Remedies & Ways to Cure Diabetes

Factors That Increase the Risk of Kidney Stones

Kidney stones can develop because of varied reasons but certain factors can increase the chance of occurrence. Having any of these factors present can overall enhance the risks of getting a kidney stone.

1. Unhealthy body weight

Increased body weight or a high BMI can lead to more than one occurrence of a kidney stone. In many cases, recurring kidney stones are also a common circumstance. Changes in diet and eating habits can be helpful in dealing with this risk. 

2. Dehydration

Drinking less water than required by the body reduces the fluidity of the urine. This will further accelerate the forming of substances that eventually turn into kidney stones. To reduce the risk posed by dehydration, the recommended water intake should become a regular habit. 

3. Imbalance diet

There is no greater factor than an unhealthy diet which pushes the body towards numerous diseases, kidney stones being one of them. A diet that is high in sodium can increase the chances of calcium stones forming in the kidneys. Other than that, high protein and sugar or reduced citrate can be equally responsible for enhancing the risk.

4. UTIs

Any urinary tract infection that is already present will become the reason for bigger kidney stones in the future. Such stones have been named infection stones particularly for the same reasons. Smaller stones are easier to pass as compared to larger stones which cause more pain. 

Try These Home Remedies for Kidney Stones!

Ayurveda recommends cleansing the body through home remedies and ayurvedic treatment of kidney stone. This can help ease out the toxins from the body and start the healing process. It is also said that more than 95% of kidney stones can be expelled from the body by taking on remedies that can help by easing the pain. 

1. Kulthi Dal

Also known as horse gram, kulthi dal is a very effective home remedy that can be coupled with others to achieve great relief. The diuretic properties it carries are an essential aspect of treatment. Ayurveda also considers it as one of the best and a natural ways of treating kidney stones. The biggest benefit of adopting the use of kulthi dal as a home remedy is that it will further prevent more occurrences of kidney stones. 

2. Lemon Juice

Lemon is a readily available ingredient at home and mixing it with honey gives us a very effective home remedy to treat kidney stones. The citrate content in lemons is the helpful aspect about them, which eventually is good for the dissolution of stones. 

3. Tulsi Juice

The reason Tulsi is a very good home remedy to treat kidney stones is that it balances the minerals, uric acid and fluid content in the kidneys. You can have it in the form of a powder or by boiling tulsi in water. Either way, the consumption of Tulsi is an effective treatment.

4. Kidney Beans or Rajma

It is a great coincidence that kidney beans are a remedy for a kidney-related ailment. Their addition into the regular diet is something that can over time help with stones. They can even aid in flushing out any existing stones and further creating a balance in our system. The overall functioning of your kidneys will improve. 

5. Dates

The magnesium present in dates is the best element for cleansing out the kidneys and getting rid of any kind of stones or fluids that are not required. There are other essential nutrients also present which can improve your overall health. 

6. Good old Water

Drinking enough water can’t be emphasized enough, no matter what ailment we talk about. Dehydration can be one of the reasons for the presence of kidney stones because the urine becomes much more concentrated. If your body is hydrated, chances of kidney stones occurring or further growing will decrease. 

7. Pomegranate Juice

Increased levels of urine acidity can increase the chances of getting kidney stones. This can be defeated with the help of pomegranate juice which is rich in antioxidants and potassium. Both elements will keep your kidneys healthy. 

8.Apple Cider Vinegar

Regular intake of apple cider vinegar can help with the dissolution of kidney stones which can be a great relief for many. This is possible owing to the citric acid and other essential nutrients like Vitamin B and C present in apple cider vinegar. 

9. Okra or Lady Finger

The main cause behind the formation of kidney stones is the crystallization of chemicals, which is what Okra can prevent. The vegetable also has magnesium which is good for kidneys along with antioxidant properties. It is more of a summer vegetable so make the best of it while it is available during the season. 

FAQs

Q. What dissolves kidney stones fast?

A. Increasing water intake can help you pass the kidney stone quickly by speeding up the process. 

Q.How frequently do kidney stones recur?

A. In normal cases, the chances of a kidney stone coming back is around 10 years, while in severe cases the occurrence can be within a month even. 

Q. What happens when you don’t pass a kidney stone?

A. Most kidney stones pass within a week or so but in case one doesn’t, special procedures will be required for removal. 

Q. What are the first signs of kidney stones?

A. Most common symptoms of having a kidney stone are severe pain, blood in urine, nausea and fever. 

Q. Can kidney stones cause gastrointestinal problems?

A. It is possible that kidney stones can cause stomach problems, nausea and vomiting.