Kidney stones are quite a common yet painful condition that can disturb your daily life, often triggered by dehydration, high sodium intake, low calcium diet, excess protein, sedentary lifestyle, and obesity can increase the risk of kidney stones.
While modern treatments exist, many seek natural solutions for prevention and relief. Ayurveda provides time-tested remedies that help manage kidney stones effectively, focusing on detoxification, herbal support, and dietary changes to promote long-term kidney health.
What is a Kidney Stone?
A solid mass made up of salt and mineral deposits within the kidney, more precisely in the ureter and bladder, is known as a kidney stone.
Calcium Oxalate is the most known kidney stone, found in 80% of cases. Rare types include cystine stones, struvite stones and uric acid stones.
If kidney stones are not removed in a timely manner, they might cause more significant issues by blocking the outflow of toxins.
Smaller stones exit the body through urine and do not block the urinary channels. However, people with smaller stones suffer from excruciating pain, bleeding, and a frequent urge to urinate as the deposits accumulate and solidify into big stones.
Signs of Kidney Stone
Are you or a loved one experiencing intense pain in the lower abdomen? It could be kidney stones, but most times, it's not. Here are a few telltale signs showing a kidney stone problem. Knowing these symptoms is critical to preliminary diagnosis and treatment.
- Extreme Pain: Kidney stones can cause severe pain in the lower abdomen, which often moves around in the stomach and back region.
- Change in Urine Colour and Consistency: With kidney stones, the urine becomes cloudy with a foul odour, and the colour may turn light red or brown due to blood in the urine.
- Burning sensation: Kidney stones cause pain and a burning sensation while urinating. However, you may also experience similar symptoms from a urinary tract infection.
Other symptoms of kidney stones include:
- Nausea and/or vomiting with pain
- Blood in the urine
- Inability to urinate.
- Frequent urination.
- Foul smell in urine and a cloudy appearance
Causes of Kidney Stone
Here are some of the common factors that may make reason for kidney stone(s):
- Low Water Intake: To keep your organs & internal functions in order, drinking 4 liters of water per day is essential. Drinking inadequate water makes it difficult to flush out the toxins and dilute the minerals in the urine, leading to kidney stones.
- Sedentary Lifestyle: Lack of exercise is the root problem of several diseases. People who work out and eat healthily have healthier urinary pathways than people who don't. Lack of mobility, exercise, and physical activity leads to a sedentary lifestyle, causing lesser urine volume.
- Too Much Protein & Sodium in the Diet: Protein and sodium can cause kidney stones if you do not drink enough water to dilute them. Although including protein in your diet is a very important factor, limiting it to your BMI is essential. High-protein meals which cannot be digested can cause kidney stones. If you have had kidney stones before, reducing protein and sodium in your diet is advised.
- Obesity: This affects organ function & causes various health complications. For example, people who are obese are far more likely to have kidney stones than those who lie on the normal BMI spectrum.
- Medication: Chronic medication can have a myriad of side effects. For example, it is not uncommon for individuals to develop kidney stones because of chronic medication or an underlying condition.
- Aerated Drinks: No matter how much you want to avoid that can of Cola, it's a trap that you almost always fall for. Aerated drinks contain excessive sugar and aerated ingredients, causing harm to your kidney function and leading to mineral stones in the ureter or bladder. Kidney stones develop as a result of chronic dehydration brought on by daily alcohol and caffeine consumption.
Also Read: Ayurvedic Remedies And Tips For Pregnancy Nausea
Ayurveda’s Take on Kidney Stones
According to Ayurveda, the body's Kapha composition may dry out when there's an imbalance in the Vata Dosha levels. This can lead to kidney stones. The following section shares some of its most effective remedies.
1. Stick to an Ayurvedic Diet
According to Ayurveda, smaller kidney stones can be eliminated by sticking to a suitable sattvic diet, consuming more water, and taking preventive measures. Concerning the diet, increase consumption of the following vegetables, cereals, and fruits:
In more complex cases, flush therapy or invasive surgical methods can remove larger kidney stones.
With regular use, Punarnavasava Asava (450 ml) improves digestion, promotes metabolic health, and balances Pitta dosha. This powerful herb from Kerala Ayurveda helps support kidney and liver function, reduces water retention and eliminates toxins naturally.
2. Add these Liquids to Your Routine
Start consuming the following liquids in moderation to manage a kidney stones condition:
- Barley water (morning and evening)
- Buttermilk
- Coconut water (in the morning)
- Lemon water
- Sweet lime juice (once a day, preferably after lunch)
- Pumpkin soup
Consuming these liquids in adequate quantities daily may help flush out kidney stones and relieve kidney stone pain.
Must read: Oral Hygiene, Ayurveda Way
Kidney Stones Home Remedies in Ayurveda
These kidney stone remedies will take a holistic approach to managing and treating kidney stones at home. These will start showing results in 8-10 weeks of including these in your diet.
1. Sugarcane
Sugarcane comes with a wide range of health benefits. It is said that consuming sugarcane regularly can help get rid of smaller kidney stones. You can consume sugarcane in any of the following ways to flush out kidney stone(s):
- Drink sugarcane juice mixed with cardamom twice a day on an empty stomach.
- Sugarcane with Tulsi (basil) seeds and milk.
- Eat sugarcane with cumin seeds and honey.
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Eat fennel seeds, coriander, and sugarcane.
2. Watermelon
Watermelon fruit is 92% water and contains nutrients and antioxidants. Consuming watermelon at least once daily may help manage kidney stones and aid their natural removal from the body.
3. Eat Amla, Drink Amla Juice or Add Amla Powder to Your Food
Having one to two Amlas a day can help manage kidney stones. However, the fruit’s taste may sometimes appear too strong or bitter. In such cases, one can add Amla powder to their food and reap its health benefits.
Ayurvedic Products for Kidney Health
For those looking for natural Ayurvedic solutions, Ayurveda offers several medicines. Out of the common ones, these two key formulations help with kidney stones and its prevention.
- Punarnavasava Asava (450 ml) – A herbal liquid formulation that supports kidney and liver function, aids in detoxification and helps reduce water retention.
- Regonest Tablets – Designed to promote urinary tract health and support the natural elimination of kidney stones.
Note: Consult an Ayurvedic practitioner if you have existing medical conditions before adding any medicines to your routine.
Key Takeaways
Kidney stones can be incredibly painful, but understanding their causes and exploring natural solutions can empower you to take control of your kidney health. We've covered a lot of ground, from what kidney stones are made of (think salt and minerals) to the various types and causes.
Simple home remedies, like drinking watermelon or sugarcane, may also offer support. Understanding the risk factors and taking proactive steps can help prevent kidney stones and maintain a healthy urinary tract.
Kerala Ayurveda offers trusted Ayurvedic remedies to help prevent and manage kidney stones naturally. Made with powerful herbs like Punarnava and Gokshura, our formulations support urinary health, detoxification, and stone dissolution. Explore our Ayurvedic kidney care products for gentle, effective relief.
FAQs
1. Can Ayurveda really help with kidney stones?
Yes! Ayurveda offers a holistic approach to kidney stone management, focusing on balancing doshas and promoting detoxification.
2. How can I prevent kidney stones according to Ayurveda?
Ayurvedic prevention strategies often involve staying well-hydrated, maintaining a balanced diet, managing stress, and incorporating specific herbs into your routine. Again, consulting with an Ayurvedic practitioner is recommended for personalized guidance.
