Suffering from kidney stones? You’re not alone.

In case you’re not aware of what exactly they are, sometimes, hard deposits of minerals and acid salts stick together in concentrated urine. They are kidney stones.

One of the most common symptoms of Kidney stones is intense pain. This usually would be on the side of your abdominal area.

Usually, with proper medical intervention on time, kidney stones won’t cause any permanent damage.

However, in case there’s a delay in identifying kidney stones, you may have to go for a surgery.

Scared of the painful surgical methods and want to opt for some home remedies to get relief?

Here’s good news for you. There are several natural remedies for kidney stones that you can try. Most of the time they are very effective. It will give you relief from pain and will support the overall health of your kidney.

Before diving into natural remedies, let us see some of the cause for kidney stones.

Causes of Kidney Stones

One of the major reasons for kidney stones is your diet or the kind of food you consume.

If you consume soda drinks or drinks which contain sugar, chances for kidney stones are high. Soda contains unhealthy chemicals which is a threat to your body, specifically your urinary tract system.

Increased calcium intake, over consumption of processed foods, drinking too little water, obesity, and exercising too much or too little can also cause kidney stones.

Natural remedies for kidney stones

By now you might have understood that living a healthy style and following a proper diet will ensure the health of your kidney. There are some home remedies for kidney stones. Let us see what those are.

Just keep in mind that these are some common guidelines and might not work for everyone. Consulting a doctor is always the best way to deal with kidney stones.

1. Drink enough water

This is one of the easiest remedies for kidney stones and anyone can follow it. Drinking plenty of water will result in urinating frequently. Fluids or water will dilute the stone forming substances. And this will prevent the accumulation or crystallisation of waste products in your urine. This means chances of kidney stoney will be decreased.

But if you are consuming water in the form of soda or any sugar containing soft drinks, your chances of getting kidney stones are greater.

2. Consuming citrus fruits and juices

Fruits which contain citrus can increase the levels of urinary citrate.

Citric acid can be found in lemon, orange, grapefruits, and limes. Consuming orange juice or fresh lemon daily would do good to your kidney.

This is because they will combine with the calcium in your urine, which will in turn reduce the chance of formation of new stones. They can also help prevent the existing crystals from getting bigger.

So, try to eat the fruits and vegetables which contain citric acid or consume them in the form of juice.

3. Reduce the amount of salt in diet

There are many opinions about the relation between salt intake and kidney stones.

But if your diet has a high amount of salt, it may cause the release of calcium when you urinate. This can increase the chance of kidney stone formation.

Most of the diet gurus will tell you that your daily sodium intake should not exceed 2300 mg/day. You can follow this rule to an extent by eating less amount of packaged and processed food items.

4. Consumption of Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar contains Acetic acid. And it has the capacity to dissolve your tiny kidney stones.

So, take apple cider vinegar(raw and unfiltered) and add 1 or 2 teaspoons of water to it and drink it. Do it daily.

This way your urine will become more alkaline and will help to dilute tiny kidney stones.

5. Include Magnesium rich food in your diet

According to some studies, magnesium in your diet can decrease the chance of kidney stone formation. Also, it is suggested that your daily diet should contain 420 mg Magnesium.

You can get maximum benefit by including food which contains magnesium and which are high in oxalate. This will give you maximum benefits.

Some of the foods which are rich in magnesium are avocados, legumes, tofu, spinach, almonds and bananas.

6. Reduce oxalate rich foods

If you eat too much of food which contains oxalate, the calcium oxalate crystals could lead to the formation of kidney stones.

Your body already produces oxalate(oxalic acid). And if the food you consume contains high amounts of oxalates, oxalate excretion through urine increases and could lead to kidney stone formation.

But high oxalate foods are also considered healthy, so you should try to maintain a balance. Advice from a doctor would be beneficial in this situation.

Leafy greens, fruits, vegetables, and cocoa are some of the foods which are high in oxalate.

7. Hydrangea Root

In many cultures, hydrangea roots are considered for the treatment of kidney stone, in their traditional medicine.

It can help to dissolve the kidney stones. It can also support your body in maintaining a healthy urinary function.

8. Herbal Teas

There are many different kinds of herbal teas such as Nettle leaf tea, Dandelion root tea etc. They have been used traditionally to increase the health of the kidney and to prevent kidney stone formation.

Some herbal teas will flush out the minerals which in future cause kidney stones. Some of them are used for the health of the kidney and to remove the waste from your body which could cause stones.

9. Increased calcium intake

An adult needs 1000 mg of Calcium. But it is 1200 mg for everyone over the age of 70 and women over the age of 50.

The calcium you consume through your diet will bind with the oxalate in your diet, and these will prevent it from being absorbed. And that way it won’t pass through your urinary system. This will reduce the chance of kidney stone formation.

Milk, cheese, yogurt etc are some of the foods which are high in calcium content.

10. Changes in your lifestyle

Like any other health conditions, kidney stones can also be prevented to an extent by changing your lifestyle. Obesity can increase the chance of kidney stone formation. So exercise daily to maintain a healthy weight and for overall health of your body.

Also, from the previously mentioned remedies, you might have already understood the importance of maintaining a healthy balanced diet for the well being of your urinary system.