Green Pharmacy for Kidney & Gallstones

[Guest guest]

Green Pharmacy for Kidney & Gallstones JoAnn Guest Dec 26, 2004 14:55 PST

 

 

A vegetarian diet is considerably more beneficial primarily because it’s

so high in magnesium and other minerals, and magnesium supplementation

has been shown to reduce the likelihood of recurrent gall or kidney

stones.

 

To prevent gallstones, eat an organic low-fat, low cholesterol diet,

primarily a diet that is low in Dairy and other animal proteins.

One of the best preventive measures for kidney stones is to drink six to

eight glasses of pure water each day. This renders the urine too dilute

for stones to form.

I would like to suggest some herbs that can help as well..

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. This product reversed the symptoms in the

majority of those who used it.

 

If I was troubled with gallstones I would brew what I call “Stone Tea”

from as many mints as I could gather from my herb 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 " its main

componenet, 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 Root

 

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 unless

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

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjo-

 

 

 

 

AIM Barleygreen

" Wisdom of the Past, Food of the Future "

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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