Holistic Cures for Kidney Stones

Excess minerals such as calcium, magnesium and phosphate can create stones when the kidneys don't produce enough citrate. According to Best Remedies, citrate's role is to remove those minerals from the body through urine. Even a build up of uric acid contributes to the creation of kidney stones. Although herbs play a role, nutrition seems to be the better remedy toward ridding the body of kidney stones and preventing stones from developing.

Water

Water is most effective for kidney stones. Best Remedies suggests you drink one quart of water quickly, then following it up with another quart of water in 12 hours. According to Mayo Clinic, you should drink 14 cups of water every day to prevent kidney stones. Lemonade can also help eliminate stones. Mayo Clinic recommends using real lemons, liquid concentrate or frozen concentrate to boost citrate levels in your urine that will help prevent stones from forming. Avoid using powered lemonade mixes.

Other diluted juices that can help reduce kidney stones include cranberry juice, orange juice and black currant juice. Again, don't use powered mixes. If you have stones, stop drinking soda. Best Remedies says carbonated drinks contain phosphoric acid that will only create more stones.

Herbs

If you're drinking plenty of water, then herbal teas should be an asset for treating a kidney infection. Parsley is an effective tea for stones because it helps increase urination. For tea, steep 2 gm of finely chopped dried parsley root in 5 oz of boiling water for 10 minutes. Strain tea and drink between one and three cups daily. According to Best Remedies, it enhances blood flow to the kidneys to help remove any remaining substances from the body.

Mother Nature has a kidney stone tea recipe that involves several herbs. You'll need:
2 tsp hydrangea root
1 tsp wild yam root
1 tsp cramp bark
1 quarts water
1 tsp joe-pye weed
teaspoon each corn silk, plantain leaf and yarrow leaf

Fill a saucepan with 1 quarts water and add hydrangea, wild yam and cramp bark. Bring to a boil, then turn down the heat and allow it to simmer for 15 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the burner and add the remaining herbs joe-pye weed, corn silk, plantain leaf and yarrow leaf. Cover the saucepan and allow the tea to steep for at least 20 minutes. Strain your tea and drink three to four cups each day. Keep remaining tea refrigerated. If bleeding occurs, Mother Nature recommends adding 30 drops of shepherd's purse tincture to each cup of tea.

Seek medical attention for constant or severe bleeding. Best Remedies says pregnant women should not use herbal teas because the herbs contain properties to relax the muscles.

Prevention

You can prevent stone formations by drinking more water and the juices mentioned earlier. Eat more fruits and vegetables, but avoid foods high in oxalates such as dark green leafy vegetables, spinach, rhubarb and beets, as recommended by the National Kidney Foundation. If you're overweight, begin a weight loss plan and diet. According to Best Remedies, people who are overweight increase their risk of developing kidney stones.