Health And Fitness News 

Kidney Stones And Natural Herb Remedies

Nature may not have heard of the anti-discrimination board, at least as far as kidney stones are concerned. Whilst doctors aren't exactly sure why some people get kidney stones, it appears they favor Caucasian men, particularly from the age of 40 to 70+.

Oxalate rich foods like tea, coffee, strawberries, chocolate and cola (all the good things!) can increase the chance of a kidney stone forming in someone who is prone to them, but not in those who aren't. A family history of kidney stones is not a good sign. Neither are urinary tract infections, certain kidney disorders, and some metabolic conditions like hyperparathyroidism. And if you've had kidney stones before, there's a good chance others may follow (evidently they like company!)

Of course, anyone can get kidney stones. The peak danger time for women is in their 50's.

Generally, kidney stones will pass out themselves, though they are quite painful. And even if a kidney stone causes other complications, or persistent symptoms, it still doesn't necessarily need surgery, though that is always an option.

There are some herbal remedies that can assist in different stages of the journey. There are a number of herbs that generally support kidney and urinary tract health. These include bearberry, cornsilk, and stinging nettle. Many people take these herbs as part of a kidney cleanse, much like people do liver and colon cleansing.

Cornsilk is a soothing herb with mild, antiseptic properties. A lot of women use it to deal with urinary tract infections, as it reduces irritation in that part of the body. Nettle promotes urination - which is probably not a good thing if you're going on a long car journey or a trans-Atlantic flight. But in the case of kidney stone prevention, this can be a good thing. By promoting urination, minerals don't have a chance to build up in the kidneys and crystallize. Bearberry is a great cleansing herb for the urinary tract.

Other herbs, like marshmallow, can ease the passing of stones. Marshmallow has an anti-inflammatory effect, and is very soothing. And Goldenrod is actually quite specific in relation to kidney stones. Nature and Health write that it is a diuretic that helps eliminate them, "probably due to its flavaoid and saponin compounds (p28)".

References: Nature And Health, June-July, 2007