16 Home Remedies For Kidney Stone Pain And Prevention Tips

Kidney stones are quite a prevalent condition worldwide. They are formed when concentrated urine forms hard mineral and salt deposits in the kidneys. Since this condition can be quite excruciating, you need to learn how to get rid of kidney stone pain. It is tough to dilute your urine when it contains components like calcium, oxalate, and uric acid, which are prone to crystal formation. Kidney stones eventually occur as a result of this. By following a few measures like drinking water and using over-the-counter drugs, you may get some relief from this pain. In some rare cases, you may have to visit a doctor to remove the stones by a medical procedure. In this article, we have discussed everything about kidney stones, what causes them, home remedies, and more. Keep reading to know more!

In This Article

What Are Kidney Stones?

The hard mineral and salt deposits forming inside your kidneys are called kidney stones. Also referred to as renal lithiasis or nephrolithiasis, kidney stones usually form as a result of concentrated urine, which leads to the crystallization of minerals.

What Causes Kidney Stones?

When your urine contains substances like calcium, oxalate, and uric acid, which are prone to forming crystals, it gets difficult to dilute them. This eventually leads to the formation of kidney stones.
Although there is no definite cause of kidney stone formation, there are many factors that can increase the risk. Such factors include

• Urinary tract infections
• A family history of stones
• Severe dehydration
• Certain fruits, vegetables, and nuts
• Being overweight
• Some medical conditions like renal tubularⁱ  XA condition caused when the kidneys do not properly eliminate acids from the blood into the urine. acidosisⁱ  XA condition where the body’s tissues or fluids are too acidic. It happens when an acid concentration rises or when a base is lost. , cystinuriaⁱ  XAn uncommon condition where cysteine-based kidney, ureter, and bladder stones develop. It is inherited. , and hyperparathyroidismⁱ  XA condition during which parathyroid glands secrete high levels of parathyroid hormone into the bloodstream.
• Certain medications like topiramate (Topamax)

A kidney stone may not announce its presence until it passes into your ureter, a tube connecting your bladder and kidney. Upon this, you may experience the following symptoms.

Symptoms Of Kidney Stones

• Pain in the side, below the ribs, and in your back
• A shooting pain that radiates downwards, towards your groin and lower abdomen
• Pain while urinating
• Pink, red or brown urine
• Nausea or vomiting
• Restrained urination
• Cloudy and foul-smelling urine
• Frequent urination
• Chills and fever (in case of an infection)

Did You Know?The doctor might ask you to get an X-ray to check for silent kidney stones. Other diagnostic tests include imaging tests like an ultrasound or a CT scan, a urine test, and blood tests.

All these symptoms are troublesome and can leave you feeling exasperated and uneasy. This calls for some immediate measures to help you in your struggle against kidney stones and the accompanying pain. Here are some wonderful remedies for this debilitating problem.

Related: 10 Effective Home Remedies To Help With Cloudy Urine

Home Remedies To Treat Kidney Stones

1. Essential Oils
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
3. Certain Vitamins And Minerals
4. Green Tea
5. Cranberry Juice
6. Lemon Juice
7. Tomato Juice
8. Pickle Juice
9. Basil Juice
10. Water
11. Epsom Salt Bath
12. Baking Soda
13. Garlic
14. Wheatgrass Juice
15. Heating Pad
16. Massage

How To Treat Kidney Stones Naturally

1. Essential Oils

a. Grapefruit Oil

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You Will Need

• 2 drops of grapefruit oil
• 1 glass of water

What You Have To Do

Add 2 drops of grapefruit oil to a glass of water and consume daily.

How Often You Should Do This

Twice daily.

Why This Works

Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) essential oil has natural diureticⁱ  XA compound or agent that boosts urine flow and discharge, helping the kidney get rid of unwanted water and sodium. and antioxidant properties that can help flush the toxins out of your body. The oil is also anti-inflammatory and can help relieve the symptoms of kidney stones (1).

Stylecraze SaysAlternatively, you can use food-grade orange essential oil instead of grapefruit oil. You can also drink grapefruit or orange juice to relieve inflammatory symptoms (1).

b. Helichrysum Oil

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You Will Need

• 3 ml of Helichrysum oil
• 100 ml of any carrier oil (coconut or olive oil)

What You Have To Do

1.  Mix helichrysum oil with any carrier oil.
2. Apply this mixture to your lower abdomen and the sides.

How Often You Should Do This

Twice daily.

Why This Works

Helichrysum essential oil possesses anti-inflammatory andantispasmodicⁱ  XA medicine that treats or prevents the occurrence of muscle spasms, particularly those that affect smooth muscle, such as the gut wall. properties, which can help relieve the discomfort associated with kidney stones (2),(3). It also is a mild diuretic that helps flush out toxins from your kidneys.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar

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You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
• 2 liters of water
• Honey (optional)

What You Have To Do

1.  Add 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to 2 liters of water and mix well.
2. Add a little honey to taste, and drink this solution throughout the day.

How Often You Should Do This

Multiple times, daily.

Why This Works

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is primarily composed of acetic acidⁱ  X A colorless organic acid with a strong unpleasant smell that functions as an antibacterial food preservative and acidity regulator. and trace amounts of citric and malic acids. The acid content of ACV may be effective in dissolving kidney stones. Additionally, it is also anti-inflammatory and can help reduce the symptoms of kidney stones (4).

3. Vitamins And Minerals

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The intake of certain vitamins and minerals is also associated with a lower risk of kidney stones. Vitamin B6, consumed daily, was found to lower the risk of kidney stones. Minerals like magnesium and calcium also reduce the risk of stone formation.
Increasing your intake of foods like spinach, almonds, yogurt, milk, and cheese, which are rich in these nutrients, can help prevent kidney stones (5),(6),(7).

4. Green Tea

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You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of green tea
• 1 cup of water
• Honey (optional)

What You Have To Do

1. Take a teaspoon of green tea and add it to a cup of water.
2. Bring this to a boil in a saucepan.
3. Simmer for 5 minutes and strain.
4. Allow the green tea to cool a little before adding some honey.

How Often You Should Do This

Drink 3 to 4 cups of green tea daily.

Why This Works

Green tea exhibits some promising medicinal properties and is one of the best remedies for kidney stones. A natural antioxidant and diuretic, it can help get rid of toxins from your kidneys. Green tea is also a great anti-inflammatory remedy that can be used to treat the painful symptoms of kidney stones (8), (9).

Related: 13 Amazing Benefits Of Green Tea And Its Side Effects

5. Cranberry Juice

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You Will Need

1 glass of unsweetened cranberry juice

What You Have To Do

Consume a glass of unsweetened cranberry juice daily.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 1 to 2 times daily.

Why This Works

Cranberry juice is widely used for treating urinary tract infection, given its powerful diuretic properties – which are a potential treatment for kidney stones. However, there are conflicting reviews on the use of cranberry juice for this purpose as it is believed to also increase the formation of calcium oxalate stones (10). But some research encourages the use of cranberry juice for reducing existing kidney stones (11). However, we suggest you consult your doctor in this aspect.

6. Lemon Juice

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You Will Need

• 1/2 lemon
• 1 glass of warm water
• Honey

What You Have To Do

1.  Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into a glass of water.
2.  Add some honey to it and mix well.

How Often You Should Do This

Have a glass of lemon juice twice daily, first thing every morning on an empty stomach, and just before dinner.

Why This Works

Lemons are a rich source of citrate that dissolves kidney stones. They also have natural antioxidant and diuretic properties and help detoxify your body. The anti-inflammatory properties of lemons are a bonus as they can alleviate other horrible symptoms like pain while urination (12),(13).

7. Tomato Juice

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You Will Need

1 glass of unsweetened tomato juice

What You Have To Do

Consume a glass of tomato juice with a pinch of pepper.

How Often You Should Do This

Once daily.

Why This Works

Tomatoes are a rich source of lycopene, a natural antioxidant that can prevent kidney stones (14). And thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, it can also help relieve the associated inflammation and pain (15).

Related: 10 Best Benefits Of Tomato Juice For Skin, Hair And Health

8. Pickle Juice

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You Will Need

2 tablespoons of pickle juice

What You Have To Do

Drink pickle juice. You can dilute it with a little water, if required.

How Often You Should Do This

Drink the juice every 4 hours for a couple of days.

Why This Works

Pickle juice contains vinegar, which is primarily made of acetic acid that can help destroy kidney stones. And its anti-inflammatory properties can reduce the accompanying inflammation and pain (16).

9. Basil Juice

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You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of basil extract
• Honey (optional)

What You Have To Do

1. Crush some basil leaves.
2. Combine the extract with some honey or fruit juice to improve its taste. You can also purchase the extract from your nearest store.

How Often You Should Do This

Once daily.

Why This Works

Certain compounds in basil can stabilize the uric acid levels in your body – preventing kidney stone formation. Basil also contains acetic acid that helps dissolve kidney stones (17).

Related: 20 Benefits Of Basil For Skin And Hair, Nutrition, & Recipes

10. Water

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You Will Need

1 glass of water

What You Have To Do

Drink a glass of water to make your kidney stones pass through urine.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 10 to 12 times daily.

Why This Works

Drinking enough water can prevent kidney stone formation by stalling the crystallization of certain compounds in your urine. Water helps dilute your urine, thus keeping you well hydrated and warding off the crystals (18).

11. Epsom Salt Bath

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You Will Need

• 1 cup of Epsom salt
• Bathwater

What You Have To Do

1. Add a cup of Epsom salt to your bathwater.
2. Soak in it for 15 to 20 minutes.

How Often You Should Do This

Thrice a week.

Why This Works

Also known as magnesium sulfate, Epsom salt can increase the serum magnesium levels by getting absorbed via your skin. Adequate magnesium levels might cut kidney stone risk and also decrease the size of the existing stones (19),(20).

12. Baking Soda

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You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon of baking soda
• 1 glass of water

What You Have To Do

1. Add a tablespoon of baking soda to a glass of warm water.
2. Mix well and drink immediately.

How Often You Should Do This

2 to 3 times daily.

Why This Works

Baking soda, being alkaline, can alkalize your urine. This helps the kidney stones dissolve faster. It also restores the pH balance of your kidneys, thereby reinstating their normal functioning (21).

13. Garlic

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You Will Need

• 5 to 6 garlic cloves
• 1 cup of water
• Honey

What You Have To Do

1. Peel the garlic cloves.
2. Blend them with a cup of water and some honey.

How Often You Should Do This

1 to 2 times daily.

Why This Works

Garlic is a potent antioxidant that protects your body from free radical damage. It also acts as a diuretic that can help remove toxins from your kidneys, thereby accelerating recovery. The allicinⁱ  XAn organosulfur compound found in garlic with antibacterial effects and a strong, oily liquid odor. in garlic exhibits antimicrobial properties, which protect your kidneys from infection (22),(23).

14. Wheatgrass Juice

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You Will Need

• 1 cup of wheatgrass juice
• Honey (optional)

What You Have To Do

1. You can procure the juice from your nearest supermarket store.
2. Add some honey for taste.

How Often You Should Do This

Take a cup of the juice once daily.

Why This Works

Wheatgrass is another plant with diuretic properties that help the stones pass through urine. It also exhibits antioxidant properties that protect your kidneys from free radical damage (24).

15. Heating Pad

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You Will Need

Heating pad

What You Have To Do

Apply a heating pad on the affected area of your body for 15 to 20 minutes.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 2 to 3 times daily until the pain subsides.

Why This Works

Heating pads can help relieve the pain, inflammation, and swelling caused by kidney stones. The heat also helps your muscles relax, making it easier for the stones to pass. However, there is insufficient information on this, and we advise you to consult your doctor.

16. Massage

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Massage therapy is another way to relieve kidney stones. A massage on the affected areas by a professional massage therapist can help you cope with the pain. Proper massage can also guide the stones to the urinary tract, accelerating their elimination. However, we recommend you to undergo a massage only after your kidney stones have passed, as a follow-up treatment (25).

These are the ways you can treat kidney stones. The next step is ensuring they don’t recur.

Preventive Tips

• Keep yourself well hydrated by drinking enough fluids, especially water.
• Follow a diet rich in calcium – this can include foods like milk, cheese, yogurt.
• Reduce sodium intake.
• Keep oxalate-richⁱ  XA component that exists naturally in plants. Foods high in oxalates include leafy greens and legumes. foods to a minimum – they include chocolates, spinach, sweet potatoes, soy products, coffee, peanuts, and wheat bran.
• Limit or avoid animal proteins from fish, poultry, beef, and pork.
• Vitamin C supplements are known to increase the risk of developing kidney stones. Therefore, avoid them.

Although these remedies can aid your recovery from kidney stones, it is always better to get yourself treated by a medical professional. In fact, some signs may call for an immediate visit to your doctor.

When To Visit A Doctor

Visit your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following:

• Unbearable pain in your side, groin, abdomen or genitals
• Blood in your urine
• A urinary tract infection accompanied by severe pain or burning sensation while urinating
• Severe nausea or vomiting
• Fever and chills

Kidney stones are small, hard deposits of minerals and acid salts in the kidneys. These stones clump together in the urine and can be painful to clear. Severe pain on the side of the abdomen, dark urine, painful, frequent and incomplete urination, and radiating shooting pain are the most common symptoms of kidney stones. Adequate hydration and medical attention are often required to treat kidney stones. In addition, you can use several home remedies like essential oils, cranberry juice, heating pad, massage, and green tea to get rid of kidney stone pain.