KIDNEY STONES
BENEFICIAL HERBS
- Aloe vera juice, taken at levels just below those that can produce a laxative effect, reduces the growth rate of urinary calcium. It can be used in the prevention as well as to reduce the size of an existing stone (levels will vary from one person to the next).
- Cranberry juice or extracts reduces the amount of ionized calcium in the urine. Take 16 ounces of cranberry juice/day to prevent kidney stones
- Uva ursi or hydrangea helps to relieve pain from kidney stones
- Ginkgo biloba extract has a tonifying effect on the urinary system
- Goldenseal extract is a powerful antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory properties
- Goldenseal root, marshmallow, juniper berries, watermelon seeds, uva ursi, and ginger may be useful when used in combination.
- Other herbs that may be beneficial include flax seeds, hollyhock, agrimony, and chervil
DIETARY RECOMMENDATIONS
- Drink the juice of a fresh lemon in a glass of warm water first thing each morning can help prevent stones from forming.
- Drink plenty of water-8-10 glasses a day. By far the most important measure one can take to prevent from forming kidney stones is to increase water intake.
- Drink cranberry juice to help acidify the urine (unless you are prone to uric acid stones).
- Drink magnesium containing waters and barley water
- Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, high fiber grains,(such as rice bran), apple juice and vinegar, foods high in magnesium, vitamin K rich foods, parsley, celery, and vitamin A rich foods (apricots, cantaloupes, carrots, sweet potatoes, and squash).
- Avoid high protein foods, notably meat, sodium, high oxalate foods ( gooseberries, blackberries, squash, chocolate, non diet sodas, citrus juices, beets, rhubarb, Swiss chard, beet greens, peanuts, baked beans, leeks, spinach and rhubarb). These foods promote kidney stones
- Decrease your intake of dairy foods, especially if fortified with vitamin D
- Avoid mineral or naturally carbonated waters if you’re prone to kidney stones
- Do not eat large meals at night
Note: Foods high in oxalate include beans (all varieties: dried, baked, green, wax), draft beer, chocolate, cocoa, Ovaltine â , fruitcake, fruits (blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, currants, grapefruit, grapes, raspberries, rhubarb, strawberries, tangerines), tea, wheat germ, vegetables (beets, celery, chives, collards, eggplants, escarole, green peppers, kale, leeks, okra, parsley, spinach, summer squash, sweet potatoes)
NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENTATION
A well balanced diet is a more natural source of nutrients and it is best to get as much as possible from food. If you are not eating a varied mixture of the main food groups or foods high in a certain nutrient needed for your health situation then make up the remaining through vitamin and mineral supplementation.
- Magnesium: 400 milligrams. Caution: If you have heart or kidney problems, you should always check with your doctor before taking magnesium supplements
- Vitamin B6: 50 milligrams
- Potassium: 100 milligrams
Caution: Calcium intake should not exceed 600-1000 milligrams daily and vitamin C supplementation should not exceed 2000 milligrams daily.
NON DIETARY RECOMMENDATIONS
- Avoid aluminum and calcium carbonate indigestion aids
In some cases, herbal products can interact negatively with other medications. Such interactions can be dangerous. Herbal remedies are not regulated and their quality is not controlled. Moreover, while there is an abundant supply of information circulating about herbs, not much of it has been scientifically proven. Consult your physician. Informing your doctor and pharmacist of what herbal products you are using is just as important as letting them know what drugs you are taking. Your physician and the pharmacist on duty at your pharmacy can assist you in deciding which herbs
are safe.