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Kidney & Bladder Stones (Nephrolithiasis)
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Introduction:Kidney stones are generally composed of mineral salts formed from crystalline urinary salts, most often calcium oxalate. The correct pH of the urine is important in preventing their formation. Often they are not discovered until one is passed with excruciating pain radiating from the upper back to the groin, accompanied by fever, chills or blood in the urine. Often further stones remain behind and need treatment in breaking them down into passable size. These stones can in some cases be caused by abnormal function of the parathyroid glands but more normally it is excessive intake of oxalates (like a furry kettle). |
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Nutritional Advice:Avoid tea, coffee, chocolate, peanuts, rhubarb, Swiss chard, spinach, tomatoes, strawberries and beetroot as they all contain oxalic acid and will irritate. Avoid eggs and some fish in particular as they are very high in oxalic acid levels, but also stop eating animal fats and protein because they will interfere with oxalate absorption. Avoid salt, alcohol, refined foods, fried foods and sugars. Foods rich in natural silicon will help maintain a stone-free urinary system. Silicon is found in the skins of organically grown grains, fruits and vegetables, particularly oats, radishes, onions and garlic also in unpolluted seaweeds and in bee pollen. Foods rich in vitamin A will also help such as melon, pumpkin, yams and carrots. (Superfood would also provide a lot of this.) Drink plenty of water (2-3 litres daily) to ensure a constant flushing of the entire urinary system. Choose low or no mineral content water (use a water filter). Distilled water is free from any minerals. Thus it flushes through at a faster rate. Sometimes add quite large quantities of fresh lemon juice as this will ease the pain. Occasionally a problem in which the urine flows backwards when the bladder is not emptying sufficiently can cause stone formation (or indeed urinary infections). |
Natural Healing:A castor oil pack over the kidneys (or relevant area) will greatly reduce the pain. Take baths and massage with geranium, juniper, chamomile and sweet fennel essential oil. A sedate lifestyle with little or no exercise encourages the accumulation of calcium in the bloodstream. Exercise will redirect it into the bones. A stone stuck anywhere at awkward entrances and bends in the kidneys, urethra or bladder is extremely painful. Most people turn to dialing for their GP or being taken to casualty immediately if the pain is unbearable, but, whilst waiting for professional help to arrive: Try drinking water (at room temperature) with the juice of a freshly squeezed lemon added. A cold compress on the forehead will ease any nausea or fever.
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Herb Quality:A large proportion of our herbs are grown in English soils, harvested using bio-chemistry analysis and many but not always, processed fresh, which heightens their remedial properties. The majority are grown organically and or sustainably wild-crafted. All manufacturing is carried out using licensed good manufacturing practice. DO NOT MIX HERBAL MEDICINE AND GP PRESCRIBED MEDICATION WITHOUT THE PRIOR KNOWLEDGE OF YOUR GP OR PRACTIONER
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