Kidney stones are one of the most common lifestyle diseases people are suffering from these days.  However, the good news is that, with the help of some home and herbal remedies, you can treat it naturally!.

In the western world, the annual incidence of Kidney Stone is about 0.5%, where a lifetime risk of developing it is about 10-15%, and it increases by 20-25% in the Middle East. In the Indian population, about 12% are expected to have urinary stones and out of which, 50% may end up with a loss of kidney functions.  

Kidney stone is made of hard minerals and salt deposits that form inside the kidneys. They are also known as Urolithiasis or Nephrolithiasis. It has been a global problem affecting human beings since ancient times. It is a condition in which the crystals of uroliths/stones are present in the urinary tract and form uneven calculi. 

Kidney stone is also known as calculi. These calculi can differ in size and shape, found anywhere in the urinary tract from the kidney to the bladder. Kidney stone is a significant problem in India and other developing countries. Kidney stones have generally affected 10-12% of the industrialized population. 

Symptoms of Kidney Stones

The Patient does not identify whether he is suffering from kidney stones. After leaving the stone through the kidney, it passes to the bladder with the help of ureters. At the same time, some of the stones remain in the ureters. Further, they block the urine flow out of the kidneys and make it swell; this condition is called Hydronephrosis.

Some of the common symptoms of kidney stones are as follows:

1. Acute, sudden, and heavy pain in the lower abdominal area.
2. A feeling of sudden urination.
3. Burning sensation during urination.
4. RBCs' blood particles (red blood cells) may change the urine colour to red or dark yellow.
5. Feeling of nausea and vomiting.
6. Male patients feel pain at the tip of their penis.

Causes of Kidney Stones

The common causes of kidney stones include:

• Crystals of calcium oxalate
• High levels of uric acid
• Low amounts of citrate in the body

A slight reduction in urinary oxalate is associated with a significant decrease in the formation of calcium oxalate stones. Hence, one should avoid oxalate-rich foods like Cucumber, Green Peppers, Beetroot, Spinach, Soya Bean, Chocolate, Popcorn, and Sweet Potato. Mainly kidney stones affect the parts of the body like the kidney ureters and urethra.

More critical, kidney stone is a recurrent disorder with lifetime recurrence risk reported as high as 50%. Therefore, there is a higher chance of developing heart diseases due to kidney stones. In addition, kidney stones reduce the formation of minerals and essential elements for bone formation.

Ayurvedic Perspective of Kidney Stones

In Ayurveda, we can compare this disease with "Ashmari." Ashmari (calculi) comprises two words, i.e., 'Ashma' (stone) and 'Ari' (enemy). Ashman (calculi), called Moothrashmari (Urolithiasis), is a disease of Moothravahasrotas (urinary tract) and involves the formation of a stone. Kidney stone resulting in severe pain as given by an enemy.

Charaka, Sushrut, and Vagbhata describe it in Ashmari Vyadhi. In Asanshodhil (regular not doing Panchkarma) and Adhikari (Unwholesome Diet), person aggravated Kapha dosha mix up with Mutra (urine), enter in Basti (Kidney, Ureter, Bladder), obstruct the urinary tract, and create Ashmari. Sushrut has mentioned that those who do not undergo Panchkarma Treatment regularly, take an unhealthy diet, and follow a faulty lifestyle, are prone to recurrent kidney stones.

Ayurvedic Types of Kidney Stones

Ashmari is one of the diseases under Asthamahagad, i.e., challenging to cure. Ashmari is Vyadhi of Mutravaha Strotas. As Basti comes under Trimarma (three-fold of life).

There are 4 types of Ashmari described in Ayurveda:

1) Vataj Ashmari (Calcium Oxalate Stone): Vataj Ashmari is blackish, hard, irregular, rough structure, and like Kadamb flower, full of a spike. The symptoms of this kind of Ashmari are intense pain in the abdomen and anal region. In addition, they cause burning in the penis, making it difficult to excrete Vata, Mutra, and stool.

2) Pittaj Ashmari (Uric Acid Stone): Pittaj Ashmari looks like Bhallatak. Its symptoms are burning micturition and yellow urine.

3) Kaphaj Ashmari (Oxalate/ Phosphate stone): It is slimy, big, and looks Light green or white in colour. The symptoms are pain in the Urinary bladder and thighs. Acharya Sushruta, the world-first surgeon, described various types of treatment in Ashmari like Ghrut (Ghee/ Clarified butter), Kashaya (Decoction), and Kshara Bhedan (Scratching).

4) Shukra Ashmari (Spermolith) – This stone develops in the seminal vesicle due to the suppression of semen. If semen flow (Shukra Vega) is suppressed, it takes transit movement (Vimargagamana) and lodges in between penis (Medhra) and testis (Vrushana).

Ayurvedic Treatment For Kidney Stone

Ayurvedic treatment of renal stones has various therapies, including plant-based medicine, diet, and lifestyle changes.

Here are the Ayurvedic home remedies and diet recommendations to treat Kidney stones naturally:

Some Home Remedies for Kidney Stones

• Drink right:

1. Barley water (morning and evening).
2. Lemon water.
3. Buttermilk.
4. Coconut water (morning).
5. Pumpkin soup.
6. Sweet lime juice (not in excess).

• Consume sugarcane:

1. Mix sugarcane juice with green cardamom (twice a day empty stomach).
2. Sugarcane with Tulsi seeds and milk.
3. Sugarcane with cumin seeds and honey.
4. Sugarcane with fennel seeds, coriander, and mishri (unrefined sugar).

• Have watermelon.
• Include Amla powder in food or have it 1 tsp twice a day with water.

Diet Recommendations

• Drink plenty of fluid: 2-3 quarts/day

Include any fluid such as water, coffee, and lemonade in your diet except for grapefruit juice and soda. They are known to have a beneficial effect. This will help produce less concentrated urine and ensure at least 2.5L/day a good urine volume.

• Limit foods with high oxalate content

It would be best if you eliminated spinach, berries, chocolate, wheat bran, nuts, beets, and tea from your diet.

• Eat enough dietary calcium

Three servings of dairy per day will help lower the risk of calcium stone formation.

• Avoid extra calcium supplements

Take calcium supplements regularly but only after consulting with your physician and registered kidney dietitian.

• Eat a moderate amount of protein

High protein intake will cause the kidneys to excrete more calcium which may cause more stones to form in the kidney. So, one should eat a moderate amount of protein.

• Avoid high salt intake

High sodium intake increases calcium in the urine, increasing the chances of developing stones. Therefore, it would help if one had a low salt diet, and it is also important to control blood pressure.

• Avoid high doses of vitamin C supplements

It is recommended to take 60mg/day of vitamin C because the excess amounts of Vitamin C helps produce more oxalate in the body.

Ayurvedic Medicine for Kidney Stone

Along with the diet and lifestyle changes, you should also consider some Ayurvedic medicines. These medicines will not only help you to treat kidney stones but also help to avoid recurrence.

The following are some medicines you may consider to treat kidney stones:

• Ashmarihar Kwath (Patanjali)

The active ingredients include Hajrul Yahud Bhasma (silicate of lime), Yavakshar, Shwet Parppati, and Pashanbhed Churna. Anupan of this Kwath is Kulthi Kadha which has Kaphahar and Bhedan properties.

Dosage– 2 tsp. twice a day with water.

• Gokshuradi Guggulu

The active ingredients included are Nagarmotha (Root), Sounth (Rhizome), Kali Marich (Seed), Pippali (Fruit), Haritaki (Fruit), Bibhitaki (Fruit), Amla (Fruit), Shudh Guggul, Gokharu (Panchang). In addition, Gokshuradi Guggulu acts as an Antispasmodic and an Antibiotic. It has a Diuretic (Mutral) property.

Dosage – 2 tablets twice a day with water.

• Varunadi Kadha (Baidyanath)

Its active ingredients include Varun, Pashanbheda, Sunthi, and Gokshura. Varunadi Kwath is Diuretic in action. In addition, it has a penetration (Bhedan) activity. So, it helps to disintegrate the stone.

Dosage – 2 tsp thrice a day with a half cup of water.

Dos and Don'ts

1. Drink enough water, and avoid aerated drinks like carbonated water, soft drink, etc.
2. Eat on time.
3. Urinate on time. Don't hold the urge to urinate.
4. Cleanse the bowel by drinking warm water early in the morning.
5. Avoid Tomatoes, Brinjal, Chikku, too many Bananas, dairy products, and Maida (white flour) foods if you have a history of kidney stones.
6. Regularly practice Yoga poses, Meditation, Pranayama.
7. Eat fruits with high water content.

Also Read: Constipation: Causes, Triggers, and Treatment with Ayurveda

Conclusion

According to Ayurveda, lifestyle modification through diet, internal medicines, and Basti therapy is highly effective in managing renal stones. In addition, proper counseling and guidance should be provided to kidney stone patients, including Pathya – Apathya (dietary management) correlation with Ashmari management. Furthermore, home Remedies for Kidney Stones can help prevent further complications and recurrence of the disease. Find lifestyle tips and Ayurvedic products at HealthyBazar. All the products on-site are genuine, and one can also consult with the best Ayurvedic and Unani doctors.