Ayurvedic Treatment for Kidney Stones involves using diuretic and lithotriptic herbs like Punarnava, Gokshura, and Shilajit, along with kidney cleansing detox therapies.
Besides, it incorporates strict diet and lifestyle changes to make the healing journey smoother and effective.
This article explores Ayurvedic perspectives, treatments, and preventive measures to help manage kidney stones effectively
Role of ayurveda in Kidney stone treatment
Ayurveda can help in managing kidney stones by balancing the body’s doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—to treat kidney stones.
Ayurveda offers several herbal remedies with diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and lithotriptic properties to help manage kidney stones.
These herbs can help to increase urine flow, reduce inflammation in the kidneys, and break down kidney stones.
Some commonly used herbs include Gokshura, Punarnava, Varuna, and Pashanbheda.
Alongside, Panchakarma therapies like virechana with Gandharvahasta eranda thaila and milk daily along with uttaravasti, kshara vasti, Avapeedaka snehapana are considered beneficial in managing Kidney stones.
It is important to note that Ayurvedic treatment for kidney stones should be done under the guidance of a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner.
They can help you determine the appropriate course of treatment based on your constitution and the severity of your condition.
Moreover, diet and lifestyle play a key role in preventing its recurrence and efficient treatment course.
Ayurveda emphasises the use of foods low in oxalate-rich foods, such as spinach, rhubarb, and beets, which can contribute to kidney stone formation.
It also encourages the consumption of foods that are believed to have diuretic and lithotriptic properties, such as watermelon, barley, and horse gram.
Ayurveda recommends certain lifestyle changes to promote kidney health and prevent kidney stone formation. These include staying hydrated, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and managing stress.
While Ayurveda may be effective in managing and preventing kidney stones, it is not a substitute for conventional medical treatment.
If you are experiencing symptoms of kidney stones, such as severe pain, blood in your urine, or difficulty urinating, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.
The treatment involves:
- Using herbal medicines to dissolve stones naturally.
- Detoxifying the body through Panchakarma therapies.
- Recommending dietary modifications to prevent stone formation.
- Encouraging a balanced lifestyle to maintain kidney health.
What is a kidney stone?
A kidney stone is a hard object that is made from chemicals in the urine. There are four types of kidney stones: calcium oxalate, uric acid, struvite, and cystine.
A kidney stone may be treated with shockwave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy or nephrolithotripsy.
Common symptoms include severe pain in the lower back, blood in your urine, nausea, vomiting, fever and chills, or urine that smells bad or looks cloudy.
Urine has various wastes dissolved in it.
When there is too much waste in too little liquid, crystals begin to form. The crystals attract other elements and join together to form a solid that will get larger unless it is passed out of the body with the urine.
Usually, these chemicals are eliminated in the urine by the body’s master chemist: the kidney.
In most people, having enough liquid washes them out or other chemicals in urine stop a stone from forming.
The stone-forming chemicals are calcium, oxalate, urate, cystine, xanthine, and phosphate.
After it is formed, the stone may stay in the kidney or travel down the urinary tract into the ureter. Sometimes, tiny stones move out of the body in the urine without causing too much pain.
But stones that don’t move may cause a back-up of urine in the kidney, ureter, the bladder, or the urethra. This is what causes the pain.
The kidney stone starts to hurt when it causes irritation or blockage. This builds rapidly to extreme pain.
In most cases, kidney stones pass without causing damage-but usually not without causing a lot of pain.
Pain relievers may be the only treatment needed for small stones.
Other treatment may be needed, especially for those stones that cause lasting symptoms or other complications. In severe cases, however, surgery may be required.
What is a kidney stone from an Ayurvedic perspective?
Kidney stone is referred to as Ashmari or Mutrashmari in Ayurveda .
It is considered to have formed when the aggravated vata and pitta dries up the kapha dosha, causing the latter to assume the shape of the stone. Though all three doshas are involved, ashmari is considered a kapha-predominant disease.
Ancient literature claims improper diet and lifestyle and improperly performed panchakarma as the reasons for kidney stones.
Dietary causes include foods that are dehydrating to the body, taste spicy and salty, and are thirst-inducing.
Along with this, excess exercise, lack of sleep, excessive walking, etc, are some of the habits that can cause kidney stones.
What are the different types of kidney stones?
Kidney stones are classified based on their composition. Understanding the type of kidney stone assists in determining the cause and treatment options
Calcium oxalate
This is the most common type of kidney stone (80%), which is created when calcium combines with oxalate in the urine. Inadequate calcium and fluid intake, as well as other conditions, may contribute to their formation. High oxalate foods (spinach, nuts, beets, chocolate), low water intake leading to concentrated urine, excessive vitamin D or calcium supplements, hyperparathyroidism, and metabolic disorders are the major reasons behind forming calcium oxalate stones. Calcium stones can develop either as calcium oxalate crystals or calcium phosphate Stones
Uric acid:
This is the second most common type of kidney stone. It is formed when the urine is too acidic, causing uric acid to crystallise. A diet rich in high-purine-containing foods like red meat, shellfish, alcohol, and curd, gout or metabolic disorders, chronic dehydration, diabetes and obesity. High purine intake leads to a higher production of monosodium urate, which, under the right conditions, may form stones in the kidneys. The formation of these types of stones tends to run in families.
Struvite
These are more common in women and often develop due to recurrent urinary tract infections. It is made of magnesium, ammonium, and phosphate crystals. The urease-producing bacteria remains in the tract and makes the urine more alkaline. It can grow large and cause kidney damage.
Cystine:
These stones are rare and are hereditary. It can be caused by a genetic disorder called cystinuria, leading to excessive cystine in urine. Stones are large and recurrent.
Drug-Induced Stones:
These stones are mainly the result of certain medications, Indinavir (used for HIV treatment), excessive vitamin C or calcium supplements or diuretics leading to dehydration.
Early symptoms
The symptoms differ in accordance with the location of the calculus, but some of the commonly presented ones are:-
- Pain- called renal colic, a sharp and intermittent pain that radiates from the loin to the groin
- Nausea and vomiting
- The urgency to urinate or pass urine in small quantities
- Burning sensation during urination
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
Symptoms at a later stage
- Intense pain in the lower back, abdomen, or sides.
- Blood in urine or hematuria, as the descending stones scar the walls of the urethra. The urine will be red, rose, or brown, depending on the severity of the bleeding. The urine may appear cloudy with a foul smell in extreme cases.
- Referred pain
- Soreness
- Blocked urine flow.
- Fever and chills in case of infection.
Causes
- Dehydration- when the body is deprived of enough water, it switches to survival mode by reabsorbing water from the urine. This concentrates the urine and increases the risk of renal calculi.
- Dietary factors- Consuming highly salted, artificially sweetened, protein-rich food for a long time can make you prone to kidney stones. Certain fruits like tomatoes also promote the same.
- Certain medicines- some mineral-based medicines, antacids, vitamin supplements, etc can trigger kidney stones.
- Certain health issues- such as IBS, cystinuria, impaired calcium metabolism, some surgeries, etc increase the chances of getting affected.
- Obesity
- Family history
- History of renal calculi- if you have a history of kidney stones, you are at risk of developing them further.
Risk factors
- Family history of kidney stones.
- High-protein or high-sodium diets.
- Obesity and sedentary lifestyle.
- Chronic digestive diseases or surgeries affecting calcium absorption.
- Certain medications leading to stone formation.
When to see a doctor
Seek immediate medical attention when you experience:
- Severe and persistent pain.
- Blood in urine.
- Fever and chills.
- Difficulty passing urine.
Diagnosis
The following methods can be used to diagnose kidney stones:
1. Medical History
A detailed medical history helps identify risk factors such as:
- Family history of kidney stones
- Dietary habits (high oxalate, calcium, or protein intake)
- Hydration levels and fluid intake
- History of urinary tract infections or metabolic disorders
2. Laboratory Tests
Certain urine and blood tests help determine the type and cause of kidney stones.
Urine Tests
Urinalysis – Checks for blood, infection, and stone-forming crystals.
24-hour urine test – Measures levels of calcium, oxalate, uric acid, citrate, and other minerals to determine risk factors.
Urine culture – Identifies infection if UTI is suspected.
Blood Tests
Serum creatinine & blood urea nitrogen (BUN): Assess kidney function.
Serum calcium and uric acid levels: High levels indicate a risk of calcium or uric acid stones.
Parathyroid hormone (PTH) test: Checks for hyperparathyroidism, a cause of calcium stone formation.
3. Imaging Tests
Imaging helps confirm the presence, size, and location of kidney stones.
Common Imaging Techniques
Ultrasound (Renal Sonography):
- Non-invasive and radiation-free.
- Detects stones, hydronephrosis (swelling of kidneys), and obstructions.
- Preferred for pregnant women and children.
X-ray (KUB – Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder X-ray):
- Identifies large calcium-based stones but may miss smaller or non-calcium stones.
CT Scan (Non-contrast Helical CT):
- Gold standard for kidney stone diagnosis.
- Detects all stone types, even small ones.
- Provides precise stone size and location.
Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP):
- Uses contrast dye to visualize kidney function and blockages.
- Less commonly used due to CT scan availability.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging):
- Rarely used for stones but may be done to assess kidney function and surrounding structures.
4. Stone Analysis
If the stone is passed naturally or removed surgically, a stone composition analysis is done to identify the type of stone (calcium oxalate, uric acid, struvite, or cystine). This helps in preventing future stone formation through targeted dietary and lifestyle modifications.
Ayurvedic treatment for kidney stone
The first and foremost step is to avoid the causative factors. For this, one can follow an Ayurvedic diet and routine and undergo timely panchakarma procedures. Several medicines that promote urinary output and dissolution of the calculi are also mentioned in Ayurvedic texts.
Medicines
Several remedies have been traditionally recommended for the treatment of ashmari.
They may be classified into many classes based on their activity, such as mutrala (diuretics), bhedana (stone breakers), shothahara (Anti-inflammatory), vedanasthapana (pain relievers), vasti-shodhana (renal function enhancers), and so on. Medicines are accessible in a variety of forms, including churna, ghrita, and kashaya.
Panchakarma Therapies
Panchakarma therapies like daily purgation (Nitya Virechana) with Gandarvahastadi Eranda Taila, along with milk and Abhayadi Modaka, are found beneficial in kidney stones.
Uttarabasti (administering a medicinal oil or decoction into the urinary bladder) with Taila or ghee processed with lithotriptic drugs are beneficial.
Anuvasana vasthi with Varunadya Taila, Vastamayantaka Gritha, Veeratharuvadi Gritha, Shatavaryadi Gritha, etc., also can be used. Niruhabasthi, like Ksharabasti and Eranda Moola Niroohabasti, also have an important role in Kidney stone treatment.
Drink plenty of water.
Concentrated urine is one of the causes of kidney stones. To avoid this, drink plenty of water.
Avoid aerated and synthetic liquids and instead go for natural fluids like coconut water, buttermilk, lime juice, gooseberry juice, and so on.
Barley water and water cooked with Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa- Spreading Hogweed) or Gokshura (Tribulus Terrestris- Puncture vine) are both effective diuretics that may be made at home.
Ayurvedic dietary and lifestyle recommendations for kidney stones
- Enhance your water intake
- Favour fibre-rich food and leafy vegetables
- Avoid exercising beyond your limit
- Do panchakarma procedures on time under proper guidance
- Panchakarma procedures such as uttara basti (administering medicines through the urethra) can benefit the patient.
- Void urine on time
- Avoid hot, sharp, pungent food substances such as pickles
Practice Yoga
Yoga can relieve pain and facilitate the easy passage of stones. Consider performing them under the guidance of a qualified professional. Some of the commonly prescribed asanas are:
- Pavanamuktasana
- Uttanapadasana
- Bhujangasana
- Dhanurasana
- Ushtrasana
- Ardha Matsyendrasana
Natural remedies
- Hydration: Drinking plenty of water is crucial.4 It dilutes urine, making it harder for minerals to concentrate and form stones.5 Aim for at least 8-10 glasses of water daily.6
- Lemon Juice: Lemons contain citrate, which can inhibit stone formation.7 Drink lemon water regularly.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: It may help dissolve some types of stones.8 Mix 1-2 tablespoons in water and drink it.9
- Pomegranate Juice: It may help reduce the risk of stone formation due to its antioxidant properties
- Lemon juice and honey: Drinking fresh lemon juice with warm water can help break down stones due to its citric acid content.
- Coconut water: Regular intake of coconut water with a few cardamom pods helps flush out toxins and prevent stone formation.
- Barley water (Yava Kashaya): It acts as a diuretic and helps reduce stone size.
- Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris) tea: Known for its diuretic properties, it helps in stone elimination and urinary tract cleansing.
- Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa): An effective herb that reduces swelling and supports kidney function
- Cranberry Juice: Cranberry juices have acidic elements that help defoliate stones from the kidneys. But avoid it if you are having oxalate stones.
- For pain relief, drink half a fresh lemon juice in 8 ounces of water every half an hour until the pain subsides. Alternate between lemon juice and apple juice. Drink at least 3 quarts of quality water daily to maintain good kidney function.
- Increased consumption of foods rich in vitamin A is beneficial to the urinary tract and helps discourage the formation of stones.
Herbs and formulations
Ayurveda advocates the use of several potent herbs and formulations for kidney stone management, including:
Herbs
- Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris): Helps break down kidney stones and reduce inflammation.
- Varun (Crataeva nurvala): Traditionally used to dissolve urinary calculi.
- Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa): A natural diuretic that supports kidney health.
- Pashanabheda (Bergenia ligulata):
Its name means “stone breaker,” indicating its effectiveness in dissolving kidney stones.
Formulations
- Chandraprabha Vati: A classical Ayurvedic formulation beneficial for urinary tract health.
- Gokshuradi guggulu: A traditional diuretic and pain relieving formulation
- Kukkutandatvak Bhasma, Hajrul Yahood Bhasma: A mineral preparation used to break down stones.
- Veeratharadi Kashayam: A classical ayurvedic preparation containing diuretic herbs
- Brihatyadi Kashayam: A classical ayurvedic preparation containing diuretic and pain relieving herbs
- Vasthamayantakam Ghritam: This can be used for avapeedaka snehapana in kidney stone patients as it directly acts on the excretory system
How to prevent with natural methods
The risk of developing kidney stones (specifically calcium oxalate stones) may increase if you consume foods high in oxalate, as oxalate is a component of the most prevalent type of kidney stone. The body’s and urine acid levels may increase if an individual consumes an excessive amount of animal proteins in their diet, such as beef, fish, and poultry. High levels of acidity promote the development of calcium oxalate and uric acid stones. The creation of uric acid from the breakdown of meat further increases the risk of developing calcium and uric acid stones. Here are few natural ways to prevent the formation of kidney stones:
- Increase your water intake, do not suppress your thirst, in fact avoid suppressing all your natural urges
- Reduce – smoking, alcohol, packaged food, long meal gaps and long sitting hours
- Focus on – sleeping better, regular home-cooked food, hydration and exercise
- Drink tender coconut water mixed with cardamom pods once in a week to cleanse your excretory system
- Reduce animal protein intake
- Avoid consuming excess spicy and tangy foods like pickles
- Include hydrating veggies and fruits like cucumbers, watermelon, pomegranates, apples etc
Diet For Kidney Stones
A balanced diet plays a crucial role in preventing and managing kidney stones.
Key dietary recommendations for kideny stone patients
- Include increasing fluid intake (aim for at least 3 litres of water daily),
- Include citrate-rich foods (lemon, oranges, and amla help prevent stone formation),
- Reduce oxalate-rich foods (spinach, nuts, and chocolate should be limited), limit salt intake (excessive sodium can contribute to stone development),
- Consume calcium in moderation (opt for natural sources like sesame seeds and ragi),
- Eat fiber-rich foods (whole grains, vegetables, and fruits help in better digestion and mineral absorption).
Foods To Include In Diet
- Eat enough dietary calcium. Three servings of dairy per day will help lower the risk of calcium stone formation. Eat with meals. If one does not acquire enough calcium, oxalate levels may increase. Calcium should be received via diet rather than supplements, which have been related to the formation of kidney stones.
- Calcium-rich foods include milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, and a variety of cheeses. Vegetarian calcium sources include legumes, calcium-set tofu, dark green vegetables, nuts and seeds, and blackstrap molasses. If cow’s milk is not an option, lactose-free milk, fortified soy milk, or goat’s milk should be drunk instead
- Make sure to include vitamin D-rich foods in your regular diet. Vitamin D promotes calcium absorption. Fatty fish like salmon, mushrooms, and cheese should be eaten.
- Eat a moderate amount of protein. High protein intakes will cause the kidneys to excrete more calcium therefore, this may cause more stones to form in the kidney.
- Pulses and sprouts: First soak, sprout and then cook pulses and sprouts before eating them in the right proportion. Pulses like horse gram, kidney beans are considered beneficial.
- Citrus fruit and juice, which contain naturally occurring citrate, can help minimize or prevent the formation of stones. Lemons, oranges, and grapefruit are all good sources of citrus.
- Follow DASH diet
Foods To Avoid
- Limit foods with high oxalate content: Ketchup, Tetra pack juices, Chocolates, chips and biscuits
- Chocolate, spinach, spinach, coriander, cabbage, banana stalks, green leafy vegetables, many berries, wheat bran, nuts, tea, coffee, soft drinks should be eliminated from your diet
- Reduce sodium intake: Eating more sodium increases your chance of developing kidney stones. Sodium is present in numerous canned, packaged, and fast foods, as well as in various condiments, seasonings, and meats
- Avoid animal-based protein: High protein intake causes the kidneys to excrete more calcium, leading to more stone formation. Avoid beef, chicken, pork, organ meats, eggs, fish, shellfish, milk, cheese, and other dairy products.
- Limit sugar-sweetened foods and drinks, especially those that have high fructose corn syrup
- Avoid using pipe/well water. It is recommended to use only purified water for drinking and cooking purposes
- Limit alcohol because it can increase uric acid levels in the blood
An ideal Diet plan for kidney stone patients
Here is a sample diet plan to support kidney health and prevent stone formation:
Morning
- Warm water with lemon juice
- A handful of soaked almonds and walnuts
Breakfast
- Chapati with vegetable curry/ dal curry
- Coconut water or buttermilk
Mid-Morning
- Fresh fruit (papaya, watermelon, or banana)
- A glass of barley water
Lunch
- Brown rice or chapati
- Vegetable stir fry
- Horse gram soup
- A glass of buttermilk
Evening Snack
- Roasted chickpeas or puffed rice
- Ginger tea
- Herbal tea with Gokshura or Punarnava
Dinner
- Rice with dal and vegetables / Barley roti with vegetable curry
- A glass of warm water before bed
Lifestyle
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is essential for preventing recurrent kidney stones. Ayurveda suggests:
- Regular exercise plays a great role in keeping your uric acid levels down.
- Avoid alcohol, caffeine and carbonated beverages as these can dehydrate the body and contribute to stone formation.
- Practice stress management by incorporating meditation and pranayama as it helps balance body functions.
- Avoid late-night meals as your late night meals may disrupt the metabolism and leads to toxin accumulation
- For every 30 minutes of sitting down, stand for at least three minutes.
- Climb at least one floor every day to keep the body mobile.
- Do strength training at least two days a week.
- Include stretches and Yoga in your routine.
- Have a glass of turmeric milk and stay away from gadgets before sleeping if you have trouble sleeping properly
- Eat millets in accordance with the season. However, don’t replace your rice and wheat with millets
Dos and Don’ts
Dos
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day
- Include kidney-friendly herbs like Gokshura, Barley and Punarnava
- Follow a Pitta-balancing diet with cooling and hydrating foods
- Exercise regularly and practice yoga
- Choose natural diuretics like barley water and coconut water
Don’ts
- Avoid excess intake of processed and salty foods
- Limit high-oxalate foods like spinach, chocolates, and nuts
- Reduce caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated drinks
- Avoid dehydration and ensure regular urination
- Do not consume excessive animal protein as it increases uric acid levels
Conclusion
Kidney stones can be a painful and recurring problem. However, by following natural remedies, incorporating herbs, making dietary changes, and adopting a healthy lifestyle, you can manage and prevent kidney stones effectively. With timely Ayurvedic intervention, one can surely avoid the threat of getting kidney stones and if manifested can be managed effectively. As prevention is the best medicine, so rather than seeking treatment for a disease, try avoiding its manifestation.
