Natural Cures For Kidney Disease

Milk Thistle
 
Much research has been done on the beneficial effects of milk thistle on liver disease, and new studies are looking at its possible beneficial effects in kidney disease. There is currently a National Institute of Health (NIH) - sponsored study that will examine the role of milk thistle and NAC in diabetic nephropathy.
 

Natural Cures For Kidney Disease

The optimal dose of milk thistle has not yet been established. If you use capsules, some herbalists recommend starting at doses of around 400 mg taken twice daily. Again, I would recommend starting low, at 50 to 100 mg once or twice daily, and gradually increasing the dose.
 
Noni Juice
 
Noni juice contains a lot of potassium. In someone with CKD, this supplement should be avoided. 

Parsley
 
Parsley is used to treat many conditions, including edema and high blood pressure. It has also been used to treat kidney stones, urinary tract infections, and GI tract symptoms. However, high doses of this supplement may worsen kidney function, as well as increase swelling and raise blood pressure.
 
The parsley leaf is commonly used as a garnish and is relatively safe. But if you have kidney disease, be careful when using the parsley oil or parsley seeds. I would recommend not using this medication if you have advanced kidney disease.
 
Pomegranate 

Pomegranate juice has many properties and uses. It has beneficial effects concerning cholesterol and also lowers blood pressure, both of which are risk factors for worsening kidney disease. Pomegranate juice does contain potassium, however, and it can affect the liver, although further study is needed.
 
The optimal dose of pomegranate is not yet known. It is also not known if pomegranate can affect the kidneys in the same way as ACE inhibitors, especially in advanced stages where high potassium can be a significant problem. I would not suggest taking it if you have advanced kidney disease or problems with high potassium. If you are on ACE inhibitors/ARBS, or other medications that can raise potassium, I would avoid using this herb.
 
Turmeric

Turmeric is a very potent antioxidant that has been used to treat many conditions, including cancer. The active ingredient, curcumin, has been used for centuries. In some laboratory-based studies, it has been shown to have a strong anti-inflammatory effect on the kidneys. It may block the effects of TGF-beta on the kidneys, as well.
 
The optimal dose of turmeric is still not known. If you are taking curcumin, herbalists recommend taking 400 mg two to three times a day. With CKD, I recommend starting with a very low dose and watching the interaction with other prescription medications. Further study is needed.

TOXINS AND THE KIDNEYS
 
All of us live in a very toxic environment. You have most likely already read about the toxins - including heavy metals - in our water supply and their effects on kidney function. Additionally, think about the damaging effects of many of the processed foods, chemicals, and pesticides that we put into our bodies. Also consider the consequence of increased oxidative stress and the inflammatory response of high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity on the kidneys.

Our kidneys are bombarded by the effects of this toxic buildup every day. Therefore, there should be a role for toxin removal to improve our kidney health. With the kidneys, however, you need to be careful.
 
The Process of Detoxification
 
If your body cannot get rid of the toxins it encounters, it makes sense that you will feel ill, exhausted, irritable, and lethargic. No one wants that, so detoxification becomes beneficial. Detoxification is the process of removing harmful toxins from the body.

Many excellent detoxification formulas are mixtures of several different herbal supplements. In addition to herbs, many cleanses can also contain vitamins and minerals, and many are diuretics that stimulate urination. There are detoxification formulas just for the kidneys and combination formulas for more than one body system. Examples of this are the combination liver and kidney detoxification formulas. To find out more, you can check out Natural Cures For Kidney Disease.

Herbs For Kidney Disease

Garlic 

Garlic is use to treat a wide variety of conditions, from hypertension to diabetes. Because it has strong antioxidant properties, it is has been utilized in the treatment of cancer and other inflammatory diseases. It is not surprising that there are laboratory-based studies showing that garlic may also help protect the kidneys. It seems to be able to reduce the levels of lead and other heavy metals in the body, as well.
 

Herbs For Kidney Disease

Garlic comes in many forms, including tablets, a powdered form and the bulb itself. In kidney disease, the optimal dose of garlic is not yet known. Some studies suggest that high doses can worsen the function of the kidneys and other organs. It is the lower doses that seem to have the antioxidant effect. I would suggest starting with the garlic extract tablets at a low dose of 100 to 200 mg daily. Given the overabundance of toxins and heavy metals in the water, garlic may offer an additional protective effect on the kidneys by reducing the concentration of lead and other heavy metals in them. This needs to be studied more, but I would support a low daily dose of garlic.

Ginseng
 
There are two types of ginseng: American and Asian. The Asian form is more processed and is preferred by consumers. Ginseng is used to treat a number of conditions, including diabetes and fluid retention. There are several laboratory-based studies showing that ginseng may also have a protective effect on the kidneys. Additionally, heat processed ginseng seems to have a protective effect in diabetic nephropathy. It may have antioxidant properties as well, but more study is needed.
 
Ginseng can be given in several forms, including capsules and tea bags. The optimal dose in kidney disease is not yet known. Some herbalists recommend 0.4 to 0.5 g once or twice daily. However, because large doses can be toxic to the body and interact with many medications used for diabetes and certain antidepressants, I would suggest starting with the lowest possible dose of 100 mg daily, and slowly increasing from there. Given the potential for many significant drug interactions, I would talk with your doctor before starting this herbal supplement.
 
Goldenrod
 
Goldenrod has many uses, including treatment of certain types of kidney stones, fluid retention, and inflammatory processes in the kidneys. The optimal dosage is not known in kidney disease, and I would not recommend using this supplement in kidney disease until further studies are done.
 
Green Tea
 
Green tea is a potent antioxidant and has been to treat many health problems from arthritis to cancer. A laboratory-based study suggests that it may also decrease the level of inflammation in people who have hypertension and diabetes, although further testing is needed.
 
Green tea is relatively safe and comes as either a tea bag or in capsule form. If you have high blood pressure, be aware that there is caffeine in green tea. Because caffeine has diuretic properties, be careful if you are on a prescribed diuretic.

Hawthorn

Hawthorn is very effective at treating both high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. It comes in many forms, but the easiest way to dose is to take capsules, usually 250 to 500 mg, twice daily to start. There is not any dosage changes required in kidney disease, but monitor your blood pressure closely if you are on this medication.
 
Juniper Oil
 
Juniper has been used to treat various ailments, including high blood pressure and arthritis. However, if you have kidney disease, do not take this herb. It can worsen kidney function.
 

Licorice
 
Licorice is used to treat stomach problems, ulcers, and many other ailments. Side effects can include raised blood pressure, edema, and a lowering of potassium. An optimal dose in kidney disease has not yet been established. If you have CKD, I would definitely avoid taking this supplement. To find out more, you can check out Herbs For Kidney Disease.
 

Herbal Remedies For Kidney Disease

Astragalus
 
Astragalus has been studied in treating different forms of the nephrotic syndrome and has shown promising results. In two different studies, it was effective at significantly lowering the protein levels in the urine. It may be even be effective for the many different causes of proteinuria. In a laboratory-based study, it showed benefit in reducing the levels of protein in early diabetes nephropathy. For people who are on potent medications that lower the immune system, it may help reduce the risk of infection, as well. Further study is needed, but this herb has great potential in the treatment of nephritis and in lowering proteinuria.

Herbal Remedies For Kidney Disease

The optimal dosage of astragalus is not yet known. In the one report, the dosage was started at 15g per day. The dosage is important because different amounts may have different effects on the immune system. It also depends if you are using the root or the extract. Further study is needed, but astragalus seems to have many healing benefits.
 
N-Acetylcysteine (NAC)
 
NAC has traditionally been used for the treatment of acetaminophen drug overdose. It is also given to most people with CKD before going for any type of imaging study or procedure involving the use of contrast dye. A potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory drug, NAC has been studied for the treatment of other forms of nephritis, as well There is actually a clinical research trial to be done that is examining NAC and another herbal supplement, milk thistle, for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy.
 
The optimal dose for NAC is not known at this point. However, in studies looking at the kidneys' protective effects before having any contrast dye-related study, the minimum dose was 600 mg twice daily. Doses of 600 to 1200 mg twice daily are generally safe with only mild nausea and stomach upset as common side effects. It also has a rather unpleasant smell that can make it intolerable to some people. An interesting question regarding NAC is whether long-term use can protect the kidneys over months or even years. It has excellent potential, but more studies are needed.
 
Buchu
 
Buchu is used to help treat water retention and urinary tract infections, but it may irritate and be toxic to the kidneys. Buchu is not to be used at all if you have kidney disease.
 
Corn Silk
 
Corn silk is used to treat kidney and bladder infections. It is also used for water retention and it may lower potassium levels. However, be careful of using it in CKD, because both kidney function and electrolyte levels can be affected.

The optimal dosage for corn silk is not known, but it is suggested that as little as 4 g can be made into a tea. Whether this dose has to be reduced for kidney disease is not known.
 
Cranberry
 
Cranberry has been shown to be of benefit in the prevention of urinary tract infections, and it may also decrease the risks of kidney stones that are associated with urinary tract infections. It has minimal side effects and people generally tolerate it very well.
 
Cranberry can be taken in several forms, including capsules or juice. To prevent urinary tract infections, a common recommendation is 10 to 15 ounces of pure cranberry juice daily. Another option is two take two, 300 or 400 mg capsules daily.

Dandelion Root
 
Dandelion root is used for the treatment of infections of the urinary tract. It works like a diuretic and has some anti-inflammation and anti-oxidant activity. It can also have an effect on lowering blood pressure. As it contains potassium, I would hesitate to use dandelion root in advanced CKD given the risk of high potassium and dehydration.

There are various dosage regimens and ways to administer dandelion root, including capsule form. It is unknown if the dose needs to be adjusted for kidney disease, but I would use the lowest dose possible. Avoid using this if you have stage three CKD or greater, given the possible effects just listed. To find out more, you can check out Herbal Remedies For Kidney Disease.