world kidney day - Homeopathic medicine, treatment and remedies for Kidney Stone

Some of the most important remedies in homoeopathy that are helpful in treating kidney stones are discussed below. The symptoms mentioned under each remedy are the unique symptoms which when seen in a person with kidney stones prompt the homoeopathic physician to choose the said remedy.

• Argentum Nitricum
  Common Name: Silver nitrate
  Symptoms: In this remedy, the most important symptom is nephralgia (pain in the kidney). It is experienced by the person due to kidney congestion. Along with pain, the remedy is suitable when
  • the pain in kidneys is worsened by motion and extends to the bladder region.
  • the patient experiences a cutting type of pain, making him feel sore and bruised in the region of the kidneys.
  • the pain worsens on touch, motion and inspiration.
  • urine is passed unconsciously all day and night.
  • urine is scanty and dark coloured. Sometimes urine may also be blood stained.
  • the urethra feels inflamed along with a feeling of splinter-like pain, especially during urination.
• Belladonna
  Common Name: Deadly nightshade
  Symptoms: This homeopathic medicine is well suited to individuals who complain of
  • sharp and shooting colicky pains during an acute attack.
  • sudden cramps and cutting, stinging pain which extends down to the ureters and is aggravated by the slightest touch or jarring movement.
  • face getting red and flushed.
  • thirst for lemonade. These individuals drink large quantities of water at long intervals.
  • abdomen being swollen, dry and hot to touch, with cutting and stitching pain across the abdomen.
  • scanty urine with a lot of tenesmus and turbid appearance.
  • incontinence with profuse urination.
  • enlarged prostate.
  • This remedy is particularly helpful during acute kidney stone colic.
• Benzoic Acid
  Common Name: Benzoic acid
  Symptoms: This remedy is especially indicated in case a repulsive odour is present in urine along with kidney stones. Urine smells very strong and foul and is often brown in colour. Persons who benefit from this remedy note the following symptoms:
  • An increased amount of uric acid in blood tests.
  • Pain in the kidneys during deep breathing and stooping down.
  • Pain in the urethra even when the person is not urinating.
  • So much burning in the kidney region that it radiates to the chest.
  • Urine contains mucus, phosphates, sugar and red sand sediments.
• Berberis Vulgaris
  Common Name: Barberry
  Symptoms: This is a very effective remedy for stones in the left kidney. The person often complains of symptoms such as:
  • Bubbling sensation or numbness in the kidney region.
  • Pain which is worse after any type of motion and while standing or stooping.
  • Pain that radiates to the abdomen or thighs and calves; extending from the left kidney to the left ureter and up to the urethra.
  • Urine contains thick mucus and is bright red with sediments.
  • Burning pains which persist even after urinating.
• Cantharis
  Common Name: Spanish fly
  Symptoms: This remedy has notable action on the kidneys and is primarily used for kidney-related problems. People who benefit from this remedy experience the following symptoms:
  • Intolerable urging and tenesmus while having to urinate.
  • Severe violent paroxysms of burning and cutting pain in the whole kidney region, with a painful urge to pass urine.
  • Urine passes in drops and is blood red in colour.
  • Pain before, during as well as after passing urine.
  • Urine that scalds the passage.
  • Urine looks jelly-like and has bran in water kind of appearance.
  • Pain that extends from the kidneys to the glans penis and testes.
• Coccus Cacti
  Common Name: Cochineal
  Symptoms: This is an important remedy which improves cases of spasmodic pain in kidneys along with violent tenesmus in the abdominal organs. individuals for whom this remedy is effective also complain of the following:
  • Not passing urine for days due to painful passage of urine and increased urge to urinate.
  • Kidney stones with an increased level of uric acid in the body.
  • Deep coloured urine which is thick with red sediments.
  • Pain that extends from kidneys to bladder, and is accompanied by bleeding from the urethra with bright red and clotted blood.
  • On urine examination, the specific gravity of the urine is seen to be high.
• Dioscorea Villosa
  Common Name: Wild yam
  Symptoms: This remedy is prescribed for all kinds of colicky pains of the abdominal as well as pelvic organs. This remedy is suitable for persons who
  • have a lot of cutting type of pain, especially in the right ureter, which extends to the penis and seminal cord in males.
  • feel better on bending forwards and worse on bending backwards.
  • experience pain in the limbs along with the kidney stone colic.
  • are habitual tea drinkers.
• Lycopodium Clavatum
  Common Name: Club moss
  Symptoms: This remedy is well suited to people who have a tendency to suffer from  kidney stones frequently. Such individuals complain of
  • pain in the right kidney which extends to the ureters.
  • pain that usually occurs between 4 and 8 pm and is better after passing urine.
  • increase in sweating if urine is suppressed.
  • pain in the prostate gland after urination.
  • urine which is thick, cloudy, burning and filled with blood clots.
  • frothy or milky urine with excessive urination in the evening and night.
  • sugar in the urine in persons with diabetes.
• Pareira Brava
  Common Name: Virgin vine
  Symptoms: This remedy has a special affinity for the urinary system. It is extremely useful in cases of the following symptoms:
  • Kidney stone colic and complaints of the prostate gland.
  • Pain radiating to the thigh while making an effort to pass urine despite having a strong urge.
  • It is also useful for people who are able to pass urine only when they touch their head to the floor while bending down.
• Sarsaparilla
  Common Name: Smilax
  Symptoms: This remedy is best suited for people having colicky pains in the kidney region, especially severe at the end of urination. The person complains of
  • dribbling of urine while sitting.
  • violent pain in the kidney that extends downward.
  • pain in the right kidney which extends to the ureter and bladder.
  • urine which is bloody in colour, especially in the last part, mixed with pus and is cloudy when the person is standing up.
  • very small, multiple stones which look like sand when passed.
• Thlaspi Bursa Pastoris
  Common name: Shepherd’s purse
  Symptoms: This remedy is well suited for people who have a lot of kidney and abdominal pains. Such individuals have the following symptoms:
  • An increased desire to pass urine, and their urine contains increased amounts of phosphates.
  • A tendency to severe colicky pains in the kidneys, with brick-red sediments in urine.
  • Catheterisation can often be avoided in people after using this remedy.

Do’s

• Avoid any habits or foods that interfere with medicines. There should be diversions like active movement in fresh air in almost all kinds of weather.
• When there is no pain, the person should go for regular walks to soothe and relax the mind. (Read more: Morning walk benefits)
• Take healthy and nutritious food and beverages.
• Increase water and fluid intake. (Read more: How many glasses of water to drink in a day)
• During an acute episode of kidney stones, if the patient has any cravings for a particular food or drink, it can be consumed in moderate quantities, so that there is no interference with medicine and treatment.
• All signs and symptoms with respect to kidney stones, pain and its intensity and frequency should be noted in a diary or a journal.
• Homoeopathic medicines are prescribed in very minute doses; hence, precautions should be taken to preserve the medicines safely.

Don’ts

• Certain foods and drinks can alter the action of homoeopathic remedies and hence they should be avoided. These include:
  • Strong-smelling foods and drinks like coffee, herbal teas, fine liquors prepared from medicinal spices and spiced chocolate
  • Medicinally compounded tooth powders and mouthwashes
  • Perfumed sachets
  • Strong-scented flowers
  • Highly seasoned foods and sauces
  • Frozen foods like ice creams
  • Raw herbs on soups, medicinal herbs in foods
  • Celery, parsley, stale cheese and meat
• Also, it is best to avoid foods like tomatoes, beetroot, spinach, rhubarb and chocolates which can increase the tendency to form stones.
• Sedentary lifestyle should be completely avoided. Sleeping for long hours in the afternoon should be curtailed.
• Avoid excessive mental strain. 

(Read more: Kidney stones diet)

Homoeopathic treatments can work immensely in the treatment of kidney stones. These medicines have a dual action in people with kidney stones. First, the correct chosen remedy will help to eliminate stones through natural route (urinary tract) by decreasing the size of stones or breaking them into smaller pieces. In some cases, these stones may be passed completely intact. Secondly, these medicines will mitigate the tendency of stone formation in future, thus restoring health.

A certified homoeopathic physician will ask for a detailed case history of the person, including the personal history, past and family history, and will try and understand the life situation and reason for the ailment. This information helps to select a constitutional medicine for that particular person, which will work at the pathological as well as genetic levels to prevent damage to the kidney and avoid further stone formation. The correct homoeopathic remedy will help to stop the colicky pain from the stone within minutes and will facilitate the removal of stone within a few days or weeks. Homoeopathy is a science that works in favour of the immune system and the individual, making it patient specific and not disease specific. These medicines are not addictive and work well at minimal dosage. Most of the symptoms of kidney stones can be managed with homoeopathy unless surgical intervention is unavoidable. 

Homoeopathic medicines are said to be extremely safe. There have been no reported side effects and risks after taking homoeopathic remedies, but one should avoid self-medicating and dosing. It is best to consult a certified homoeopathic doctor before beginning a course of medication. A homoeopathic specialist will evaluate the pathology of the disease, individual’s symptoms, the specific emotional and life situation, etc. before a suitable remedy is chosen.

Kidney stones is a chronic disorder which causes severe acute pain when the stone is of considerable size. Homoeopathy has been proven to be a very safe method to eliminate stones without any notable side effects. Homoeopathic medicines can be taken along with conventional medicines to expel stones and to avoid surgery as well as severe complications. A detailed case history of the person will aid the physician to select the correct remedy.