Stones can be found in the kidney, ureter or bladder, and while most are passed without symptoms, others grow large or irregularly shaped and lodge in the tissues, causing obstruction. The most common stones are made of calcium oxalate (80%), the less common are calcium phosphate, uric acid, struvite and cysteine.

Calcium oxalate stones are formed from high levels of oxalate in the urine. The cause may be genetic, Crohn’s, IBD, sarcoidosis, renal tubular acidosis, hyperparathyroidism or the modern industrial diet.

Symptoms include a constant ache in the groin, or sudden colicky pains that wax and wane. Pain may radiate to the back or thighs. There may be pain on urinating, frequency of urination, blood in the urine, nausea and sweating. Chronic constriction can damage the kidneys.

Medical treatment involves the use of pain killers, diuretics and surgery. The common surgical technique is lithotripsy which breaks the stones into fragments for excretion, but may damage surrounding tissues and will not prevent recurrence (50%).

Treatment:

General

Diet and lifestyle should be altered to prevent recurrence. Urinalysis and pH will help identify the type of stone and cause, along with hair mineral analysis to determine the presence of heavy metals (cadmium, copper, aluminium). Imaging can identify the location, size and shape of the stone.

Small, smooth stones can be excreted by voiding under pressure (block the outlet with a finger, squeeze and then release), while irregular, jagged stones must be dissolved first to prevent blockage.

Diet

The diet should consist of nutrient dense wholefoods. These are rich in fibre, protective phytonutrients and minerals to support the excretion of wastes and alkalise the urine. Avoid processed factory foods, refined sugar and excess meat. A vegetarian diet with oily fish is protective. Drink plenty of clean water, but avoid hard-water, coffee, tea, soft drinks, alcohol. Reduce salt intake.

Supplement with potassium citrate and magnesium citrate to relax spasms, alkalise the urine, inhibit stone formation. Cranberry juice alkalises the urine, is diuretic and antimicrobial. Activated B6 reduces excretion and the production of oxalates.

Tissue Salts

Ferrum-phos—inflammation

Herbs

Horsetail—blood in urine, also nettle, yarrow

Parsley, dandelion, nettle—diuretic, uric acid, gravel

Hydrangea—to dissolve stones use a strong decoction 4-6 cups/d for  7 weeks. Prostatitis, diabetes, BPH, white or yellow sand in urine.

Marshmallow and clivers, couch—soothes for the passage of stones, demulcent diuretic

Wild carrot—softens stones. Combine with pellitory and parsley piert

Pellitory-of-the-wall—demulcent, stone dissolver

Cretaeva nurvala–antilithic, anti-inflammatory, bladder tonic

Gravel root (Eupatorium-p)—treatment or prevention of kidney/ bladder stone, cystitis, gout

Cramp bark (Vib op)—antispasmodic

Bearberry (Uva ursi), Buchu or juniper—urinary antiseptic

Prevention: evidence exists for green tea, raspberry, pomegranate, nettle, madder, oregano, nigella.¹

Homeopathy

Berberis-v—Burning, sore, sharp, twinges, bubbling sensation. Kidney pain extends along urethra, radiates to abdomen, thighs or hips. Urine thick, turbid, sandy, slimy. Burning when not urinating. More left side.

Calc-renalis—uric acid, gout, gravel, bladder stone

Cantharis—burning before, during and after urinating. Urging and frequency.

Lycopodium—kidney or ureter pain goes to bladder, more right side. Frequent urge at night, urine milky, burning, bloody. Worse before urinating

Ocimum-canum—kidney colic more on right side accompanied by nausea and vomiting

Pareira-b—pain radiates tot eh thighs or lower. Constant urge to urinate which is painful. Red sand or mucus.

Sarsaparilla—very painful urination worse at finish, must stand. Dribbles, enuresis at night. Sandy sediment or bloody, sense of air passing from bladder. More right sided.

Disclaimer: this article is intended for the purpose of general education only, and is not a substitute for a diagnosis, treatment advice, or a prescription given in a consultation with a qualified physician.

References:

1.         Nirumand MC, Hajialyani M, Rahimi R, et al. Dietary Plants for the Prevention and Management of Kidney Stones: Preclinical and Clinical Evidence and Molecular Mechanisms. Int J Mol Sci 2018;19.