Staying hydrated can help pass kidney stones faster. Certain substances, including apple cider vinegar and lemon juice, may help prevent kidney stones, but they are not confirmed to be effective in dissolving them or helping them to pass.
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Drinking plenty of fluids can help pass kidney stones and prevent new stones from forming. The extra liquid flush can help out toxins, moving stones and grit through your urinary tract.
Adding certain ingredients to your water might have additional benefits.
Using home remedies safely
If you have kidney stones, it’s best to talk with a doctor before trying any home remedies listed below. Some kidney stones may require medical treatment. Additionally, some herbal remedies may interact with certain medications or supplements. A doctor can determine whether these strategies are right for your type of kidney stone or if they could lead to additional unwanted effects.
If you have any chronic conditions, such as kidney or heart disease, talk with a doctor before using herbal remedies, as some can cause dangerous side effects.
If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, avoid using any remedies and speak with a doctor. They can determine which treatment is safest for you and your baby.
Be sure to drink one 8-ounce glass of water immediately after drinking any flavored remedy. This can help move the ingredients through your system.
When passing a kidney stone, upping your water intake can help speed up the process.
Research suggests you should drink enough water to have about 2 litersTrusted Source of urine output daily to prevent kidney stones. Dehydration is one of the main risk factors for kidney stones, and the last thing you want is for more to form.
You can also pay attention to the color of your urine. It should be a very light, pale yellow. Dark yellow urine is a sign of dehydration.
You can add freshly squeezed lemons to your water as often as you like. Lemons contain citrate, a chemical that prevents calcium stonesTrusted Source from forming. Pharmacological doses of citrate can also break up small stones, allowing them to pass more easily.
A great deal of lemon juice would probably be needed to make a huge effect, but some may have a small impact.
A 2020 studyTrusted Source found that potassium citrate supplements helped reduce risk factors associated with kidney stones in people who had previously had kidney stones. However, once again these were pharmacologic rather than dietary levels of potassium citrate intake.
Lemon has numerous other health benefits. For example, it helps inhibit bacteria growth and provides vitamin C.
Basil is full of nutrients. People have traditionally used basil juice for digestive and inflammatory disorders.
Basil contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. A 2020 studyTrusted Source in rats determined it may help support kidney function.
But more research on this remedy in humans is needed.
To try it, use fresh or dried basil leaves to make tea and drink several cups daily. You may also juice fresh basil in a juicer or add it to a smoothie.
It’s not known whether basil juice is safe to consume in large quantities or over more extended periods. Without more research, the long-term effects remain unclear.
Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid. Acetic acid is known to help prevent kidney stones, though there is a lack of evidence showing that it can reduce them once formed.
In addition to flushing out the kidneys, apple cider vinegar may help ease pain caused by the stones.
Vinegar consumption may help reduceTrusted Source the formation of kidney stones, according to a review of studies. A clinical trial in humans is underway to compare the effectiveness of apple cider vinegar and a few other beverages in preventing kidney stone formation.
To try this remedy, add 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to 6 to 8 ounces of drinking water.
Avoid consuming more than one 8-ounce glass of this mixture per day. You can also sprinkle apple cider vinegar onto salads or add it to your favorite salad dressing.
If ingested in larger amounts, apple cider vinegar can cause issues such as:
- damage to tooth enamel
- acid reflux
- sore throat
If you have diabetes and want to try this mixture, consider talking with a doctor and monitoring your blood sugar levels carefully throughout the day.
This mixture may interact with certain medications, including insulin or diuretics such as spironolactone (Aldactone).
Celery is used in some traditional medicines as a kidney stone remedy.
One study found that, on average, female participants with kidney stones ate less celery than female participants without kidney stones. Keep in mind that this is only an association and does not prove that their lack of stones was a direct result of eating celery.
And a 2019 studyTrusted Source in rats found that celery extract helped break down kidney stones. However, the results may not be the same in people. At this time, there are no human studies to confirm this effect.
Blend one or more celery stalks with water, and drink the juice.
Like other plant extracts, celery can interact with other medications or treatments, which may cause unwanted effects. It’s always best to check with a doctor before trying new remedies.
Pomegranate juice contains antioxidants, which may help keep the kidneys healthy. Some people believe it may help prevent kidney stones.
However, the National Kidney Foundation notes that it does not affect kidney stone prevention.
If you’d like to try it, it’s not clear how much pomegranate juice you can safely drink throughout the day, but a serving or two each day is likely reasonable for most people.
The American Stroke AssociationTrusted Source notes that some medications to lower cholesterol may interact with pomegranate juice. If you’re taking any medications, talk with a doctor before use.
The broth from cooked kidney beans is a traditional dish often consumed in India. Some people claim it can improve urinary and kidney health, but there’s little evidence to say whether this remedy is effective. To try it, simply strain the liquid from cooked beans and drink it several times daily.
Depending on your type of kidney stone, a doctor may recommendTrusted Source swapping some animal protein in your diet for plant-based protein, of which beans can be a good source.
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