Green Pharmacy for Gallstones & Kidney Stones

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Green Pharmacy for Gallstones & Kidney Stones

JoAnn Guest

Sep 19, 2002 12:19 PDT

 

The best way to prevent gallstones and kidney stones is to drink six

to eight glasses of water a day.

That keeps the urine too dilute for stones to form.

 

A vegetarian diet helps because it's high in magnesium,and magnesium

supplementation has been shown to reduce the likelihood of recurrent

gall or kidney stones.

To prevent gallstones, eat a low cholesterol diet, meaning onethat's

vegetarian or close to it.

 

I would like to suggest some herbs that can help. Peppermint,

Spearmint, and other mints.

Mints have traditionally been used to treat gallstones.

 

One stone-relieving structure, a British over the counter " gallstone

tea " preparation called " Rowachol " , contains chemicals from several

members of the mint family.

In one British study, this product helped many of those who used it.

 

If I had gallstones I would brew what I call " Stone Tea "

from as many mints as I could gather from the garden

or store, especially peppermint, spearmint, an old favorite.

 

I'd add some *cardamom*, the richest source of " borneol " ,

another compound that is helpful.

 

Turmeric

 

Is useful for preventing and treating gallstones, according to

Commission E.

This endorsement does not surprise me, since turmeric contains

curcumin, a compound that has been tested for its effect on

gallstones.

In one study, mice with experimentally induced gallstones were

placed on special feed containing a modest amount of curcumin, and

within five weeks their gallstone volume had dropped 45 percent.

 

After ten weeks they had 80 percent fewer gallstones than untreated

mice.

 

 

Curcumin increases the solubility of bile,

 

 

which helps prevent the formation of gallstones and helps eliminate

any stones that have formed.

If I had gallstones, I would definitely cook lots of curries—and go

heavy on the turmeric.

 

 

Lovage

 

For treating gall and kidney stones, Commission E suggests making a

tea

with two to four teaspoons of dried herb per cup of boiling water

and

drinking it once a day.

Lovage is a potent diuretic.

 

Milk Thistle

 

Rich in the compound silymarin, milk thistle is best known for the

live

protection it offers.

According to studies, silymarin also increases bile solubility,

thus helping to prevent or alleviate gallstones.

 

Parsley

 

Parsley is a diuretic that helps prevent and treat gall

and kidney stones.

Commission E approves making the tea using one teaspoon

of dried root and suggests drinking two to three cups

a day. Steep the herb for 10 to 15 minutes, then strain.

 

Stinging Nettle

 

Commission E also recommends drinking several cups daily

of stinging nettle tea to prevent and treat kidney stones.

Steep a teaspoon of finely chopped dried herb in a cup of boiling

water.

Or boil up some nettle greens and enjoy the potlikker

with a dash of vinegar once a day.

The stinging hairs lose their sting when the plant is cooked,

and the greens are delicious.

 

Horsetail

 

Commission E approves using horsetail for gall and kidney stones and

for

the general health of the urinary tract.

It increases urine output.

Use only minimal dosages recommended

on the bottle/package.

 

Ginger

 

Hot compresses made with concentrated ginger tea seem to help

alleviate

pain of gall and kidney stone attacks.

The compresses act as counter-irritants.

 

Couchgrass

 

Commission E endorses this herb, also known as

quackgrass for preventing gall and kidney stones

and inflammatory disorders of the urinary tract.

Chop it and steep it for five to ten minutes in a cup

or two of boiling water.

Europeans drink up to four cups a day.

 

Celandine

 

Celandine has traditionally been used for treating the liver,

and with good reason.

In one study, researchers gave tablets containing chelidonine, an

active compound in celandine, to 60 people with symptoms

of gallstones for six weeks.

Doctors reported a significant reduction in symptoms.

 

Chelidonine and other compounds in celandine reportedly sooth the

smooth

muscles of the biliary tract, improving bile flow and curbing upper

abdominal distress.

 

Beggar-lice

 

This vine got its name from its small.

Loose fruits, which cling to the clothing.

It has long been used by the Chinese for treating kidney stones,

and Japanese researchers have discovered why it works.

 

A compound in the plant works by increasing the amount of calcium

excreted in the urine and increasing the amount of citrate excreted,

substantially decreasing the likelihood of kidney stone formation.

 

Goldenrod

 

Goldenrod contains the compound lelocarposide—a potent diuretic that

helps the body flush excess water. I've seen good clinical evidence

that

goldenrod is effective in treating chronic kidney inflammation

(nephritis).

For both of these reasons, I wasn't surprised when Commission E

endorsed goldenrod for preventing and treating kidney stones.

The commission recommends making a tea using five teaspoons of

chopped,

dried flowering shoots per cup of boiling water.

They recommend drinking three to four cups a day between meals.

 

I was surprised, however, to see Commission E's endorsement of this

herb for gallstones as well.

I'd suggest trying it for up to a month if you're not in serious

pain.As a preventive, brew a tea using a little less herb.

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjoguest

DietaryTipsForHBP

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/CholesterolFacts.html