Learn about Herbs for Kidney Health

Learn about Herbs for Kidney Health
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Kidneys

The reddish brown kidneys (lima bean-shaped and about the size of a fist) lie on each side of the vertebral column high in the abdominal cavity. The right kidney is usually 1.5-2.0 cm lower than the left because of the large area occupied by the liver.

The kidneys have many important functions. Primarily, they are responsible for sifting out excess water and waste products (including toxic substances) from some 200 quarts of blood that passes through each day. About 2 quarts of the 200 is the extra water and waste which becomes urine.

The kidneys also release some hormones, including calcitriol (an active form of vitamin D that helps maintain healthy bones), erythropoietin (which stimulates the production of red blood cells), and renin (which helps regulate blood pressure).

The following herbs for kidney health can help keep them functioning properly and help prevent problems like kidney stones.

Herbs

Couch Grass

Couch grass (also known as dog grass, witchgrass, and quack grass) has been used since about 25 AD for kidney stones and poor urine flow. It has diuretic, antibacterial and demulcent properties.

To take couch grass, add 2 teaspoons of cut rhizome per cup of water, bring to a boil, and simmer for 10 minutes. You can drink up to 3 cups a day as needed (3 cups a day is normally used to treat problems) but as with most herbs, do not overuse and take an occasional break. You can also take couch grass in a tincture form. Use as directed.

Corn Silk

Corn silk is another wonderful herb used to keep the kidneys healthy and to treat some medical problems. It helps remove toxins from the body, reduce irritants and deposits from the kidneys, and reduce stone formation. It is also used to help treat bladder and urinary tract infections in kids. Corn silk has a significant amount of potassium, which is good since it acts as a diuretic.

To make corn silk tea, add a handful of herb in a pot of boiling water and steep for 10 minutes. It also comes in a tincture form.

Uva Ursi

Uva ursi (also known by many other names including bearberry) has been used as a tonic to treat weakened kidneys for many years. It can fight infections and reduce inflammation. Some use this powerful herb to treat kidney stones and kidney infections.

Uva ursi can be taken as a tincture, pill, or tablet. You should not take for more than 2 weeks at a time.

Other

Other herbs for kidney health include marshmallow root, horsetail, rehmannia, juniper, gravel root, buchu, parsley, java tea, and green tea.

Sources Used

https://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/Kudiseases/pubs/yourkidneys/

https://www.herbs2000.com

Photo Credit

Image courtesy of the National Library of Medicine (NLM).

Disclaimer

Please read this disclaimer regarding the information contained within this article.