Kidney Stones - A Treatment
A Synergy of Herbs & Essential Oil Therapy

Compiled by Jeanne Rose, August 26, 2004

INTRODUCTION & Definitions: Kidney stones are hardened, calcified particles that can build up in the kidney. Kidney stones are stones formed from chemicals in urine that crystallize and stick together. Some cause problems, and others we may never know are there.

Anti-lithic – A diuretic with the ability to prevent the formation of stones or gravel

Lithectasy – Removal of a stone through the urethra.

Lithiasis  -The formation of stones within the body, as gallstones or kidney stones.

Litholapaxy – A procedure whereby a stone in the urinary bladder is crushed and washed out of the bladder and performed through cystoscope.

Lithontriptic - Lith`on`trip´tic. 1. (Med.) Having the quality of, or used for, dissolving or destroying stone in the bladder or kidneys; as, lithontriptic forceps.

HERBAL Treatments: Hoffman recommends anti-lithics. These are diuretics with the ability to prevent the formation or aid in the removal of stone in the urinary system. Gravel root (eupatorium purpureum), Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens), Parsley Piert Aphanes arvensis), Pellitory of the Wall (Parietaria diffusa) and Stone Root (Collinsonia canadensis) are the most commonly used.

AROMATHERAPY Treatments

             HYDROSOLS: Juniper Berry hydrosol, which is a diuretic, may be of use. Take 3 t/day for a course of treatment (10days)

            ESSENTIAL OILS: Ammi visnaga is a seed whose essential oil is considered lithontriptic. It can be inhaled or taken internally for a course of treatment*. A side benefit is that this essential oil is also a powerful bronchodilator (int).  Other essential oils that can be taken are Juniper berry (Juniperus communis) in the carrier oil, St. John’s Wort.

 *[Three drops in a capsule of Corn silk, Couch grass or Parsley, taken three times a day. A course of treatment is 3, 5, 7, or 9 days. Then stop for the same amount of days.]

EXTERNAL MASSAGE: Any selection of essential oils that is relaxing, analgesic, and diuretic would be of use as a complimentary treatment for kidney stones.

DIET: Eat a low protein diet. The foods should include vegetables such as Lovage, Celery, Asparagus and Artichoke; all of which are good preventatives of stone formation. Magnesium has been found to be very important in the prevention of stone formation. Eat foods rich in magnesium, such as barley, bran, corn, buckwheat, rye, oats, brown rice, potatoes, and bananas.

SUPPLEMENTS:  Drink at least 8 glasses of water per day plus use herbs and herbal teas.

            HERBS: A useful formula would be equal parts of Corn silk (urinary demulcent); Gravel Root, Hydrangea and Stone root (these three are anti-lithic diuretics); which would be drunk as a tea three times daily. This formula can also be used as a daily tea once a day as a preventative measure.

            VITAMINS: Magnesium

HYDROTHERAPY/SPA: Salt baths, particularly those that include the Magnesium salts such as Epsom salts and Dead Sea Salts are useful as a course of treatment.  I believe that I would add the following essential oils to each bath: 3 drops each of Fennel seed, Juniper berry, Grapefruit peel, and Cypress .

EMOTIONAL Attention OR Other Complementary Treatments are always useful.

ALWAYS USE a combination of treatments: baths, essential oils, hydrosols, dietary supplements and anything that you can possibly think of that will help for your condition.  Read only the best magazines, books and non-New-Age (not woo-woo!) common sense info.

Bibliography:

Hoffman, David. The New Holistic Herbal. Element Books. 1990

Rose, Jeanne. 375 Essential Oils and Hydrosols.  Frog Ltd. 2001

Rothenberg, Robert E. Medical dictionary and Health Manual.  Signet Books, 1968