The kidneys are one of the most important organs in the body, you can live without one of them, but not both. These are the main organs that make up the urinary system.
Points out Dr. Raul Reyna Raygoza, nephrologist at the Guadalajara Fray Antonio Alcalde Civil Hospital, “The main function of the kidneys is to remove waste, dangerous products and excess water in the form of urine.”
Other functions of the kidneys is to produce hormones such as Erythropoietin and Renin, the first stimulates the production of red blood cells, while the second helps regulate blood pressure.
Among some of the kidney diseases we have kidney stones that are also called stones or urolithiasis, this condition produces renal colic, likewise polycystic kidney, kidney cancer, hydronephrosis, infections that affect the urinary tract, among others.
The medicines to treat kidney diseases are varied, this will depend on the type of disease that is suffered. However, in this article we present several home remedies to help cleanse and keep the kidneys healthy.
1. Water
Water is vital for life and much more so for the proper functioning of our body and of course for our kidneys, for this reason we have always been taught that we should drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.
“Your kidneys do an incredible job of cleaning. When you are getting enough fluids, your urine is free-flowing, clear in color, and free of odor. When the body doesn’t get enough fluids, urine concentration, color, and odor increase because the kidneys trap extra fluid for bodily functions,” says nephrologist Steven Guest.
Not drinking water regularly can frequently cause urinary infections, also the sediments that accumulate and create hard deposits, to give way to the appearance of kidney stones.
It is extremely important that we drink enough water for the kidneys to carry out the important filtering process to eliminate waste that can affect any part of our body, especially the kidneys.
2. Lemon juice
There are multiple benefits of lemon, among them is the contribution of vitamin C, it helps to improve healing, and the function of the immune system, it is an excellent antioxidant and due to its citric acid content, like pomegranate juice, it helps to prevent and dissolve the stones that form in the gallbladder, as well as calcium deposits that can lead to the formation of kidney stones.
Ingredients
- ½ lemon
- 1 glass of lukewarm water
Preparation
- Mix the juice of half a freshly squeezed lemon in a glass of warm water and drink on an empty stomach.
3. Basil juice
Basil is known mostly for the flavor it brings to food, however it is not only an ideal condiment, but also has great benefits for our health.
Basil contributes to the proper functioning of the kidneys as an excellent diuretic, which can help relieve fluid retention and promote the elimination of waste that crystallizes, forming stones or urolithiasis in the urine.
Ingredients
- 10 grams of basil leaves
- 1 liter of water
Preparation
- Wash the basil leaves very well, place the water in a pot and bring to a boil. Before it starts to boil, add the basil leaves and let it boil for 3 minutes.
- After the time has elapsed, turn off the heat and let it rest, and then strain, it can be taken hot or cold. In the same way, if desired, it can be sweetened with a little honey or the sweetener of your choice.
4. Green celery juice
Green celery is a very light and low-calorie vegetable since it is mostly made up of water, among other benefits is that it stimulates urine production and helps prevent fluid retention and is also recommended to complete the treatment of kidney stones.
Ingredients
- 1 stalk of celery
- 1 glass of water
Preparation
- Wash the celery stalk very well, then cut it into pieces and place it in the blender along with the water, blend well until everything is well integrated. Serve and consume immediately.
- Another way of preparing it is to include it in meals, either in a stew or a salad, as part of lunch or dinner, always using healthy products, such as extra virgin olive oil that contains vitamin A, which helps the heart, kidneys, and other organs to function accurately.
5. Cranberry juice
Blueberries are a fruit with a high content of vitamins and antioxidants, it is a very healthy food for the body, apart from having a great flavor.
It also has multiple benefits such as contributing to cardiovascular care, favors digestion and of course has positive effects against urinary tract infections.
Ingredients
- ½ Cup of Blueberries
- ½ glass of water
Preparation
- Wash the blueberries very well, then place them in the blender along with the water and process until obtaining a homogeneous smoothie, finally strain it. It can be consumed up to twice a day.
- It is important to mention that taking it in excessive amounts can cause side effects such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and high spikes in blood sugar.
- It can also be negative in people who take anticoagulants, so it is recommended to consult a doctor before consuming it on a regular basis.
6. Pineapple juice
It is a fruit that contains a lot of vitamins, antioxidants and minerals, which has been used for a long time as a home remedy.
It has anti-inflammatory properties that help with muscle pain, and also help with indigestion, it has many benefits for our body.
On the other hand, pineapple also helps to stabilize uric acid levels, since it is made up of a large percentage of water, which is why one of its main characteristics is its diuretic properties, which help to eliminate fluids and toxins from the body. .
Ingredients
- 1 whole pineapple, peeled and cored, cut into medium chunks
- 6 cups of water, a little more if necessary
- ¼ cup to ½ cup sugar depending on your taste and the sweetness of the pineapple
Preparation
- Place the pineapple chunks, water and sugar in the blender, blend well.
- If necessary and in the case of not having space in the blender, it can be done in two parts, finally strain the juice and serve with ice.
7. Strawberry juice
Strawberries are a fruit with a high energy content, it is composed mainly of water and carbohydrates, apart from being a great source of vitamin C.
Among its benefits we find that they help regulate the digestive system, stabilize uric acid levels, it can also help cleanse the kidneys naturally, since it is also rich in potassium that increases urine production.
Ingredients
- 500 grams of strawberries
- 1 liter of water
- Sugar to taste
- A tablespoon of lemon juice (optional)
Preparation
- Wash the strawberries and remove the stem from them, place the strawberries, the tablespoon of lemon juice and the water in the blender.
- Mix until the fruit is completely crushed, then taste and add sugar if necessary and mix again. Let cool for at least an hour so the strawberry juice is fresh.
- It is recommended to prepare this juice when it is strawberry season, since this guarantees that they are sweet, juicy and with an intense flavor.
- Furthermore, if the fruits are very ripe, it is not necessary to add sugar and you can enjoy a much more natural drink.
8. Infusion of onions
Onion is a food with great properties and important nutrients for our body and is widely used in alternative medicine to treat certain ailments.
In the same way, the onion is rich in flavonoids, this is a powerful antioxidant that favors organs such as the kidneys and the heart, it also eliminates toxins that the body does not need.
Ingredients
- 2 raw onions
- 3 sprigs of parsley
- Juice of 2 lemons
- 2 liters of water
Preparation
- Place two liters of water in a pot and bring it to a boil for a few minutes. Peel and chop the onions into pieces. Once the water is ready, place it in a jug, then pour in the onions.
- Add parsley along with lemon juice, let stand for two hours. After two hours, pass the liquid through a strainer and that’s it, you can consume the infusion.
9. Infusion of dandelion
There are many plants that have medicinal properties, this is the case of the dandelion, which helps to treat different pathologies that affect our body.
Dandelion, among its many benefits, we can find that it helps treat anemia, relieves constipation, promotes blood circulation, strengthens liver health, and prevents fluid retention due to its diuretic properties.
In addition, it is rich in potassium, which contributes to the elimination of toxins and compounds known to increase urine production.
Ingredients
- 3 leaves and 3 dried roots of dandelion
- 1 cup of water
Preparation
- Bring the water to a boil in a pot, once it starts to boil, remove from the heat, then add the dandelion leaves and roots and let it rest for 5 minutes.
- It is recommended to take the infusion warm, in the same way it is recommended to take two or three cups a day.
10. Stonebreaker Tea
Chancapiedra, also known as rompepiedra, is a plant native to Peru known for its diuretic properties,There are writings that indicate that the Incas already used it to treat kidney and bladder infections.
This plant has multiple benefits, in addition to dissolving kidney stones, such as reducing liver diseases such as jaundice, infections such ascystitis or prostatitis.
It also helps to increase urination, especially recommended for those with kidney failure.
Ingredients
- 40 grams Stonebreaker leaves
- 1 liter of water
Preparation
- Bring the water to a boil in a pot and add the chancapiedra leaves, once it boils, let it cool and strain.
- The taste can be a little bitter, so it is advisable to sweeten with a littlehoney or preferred sweetener. In the same way, it is advisable to drink a cup three times a day for a month.
11. Java tea
Orthosiphon or java tea, is a medicinal plant, it is indicated mainly in cases of fluid retention, it is rich in flavonoids, potassium salts, among others.
It has multiple benefits, but the main one is that it favors the functioning of the kidneys and helps prevent the formation of kidney stones.
Ingredients
- 4 dried java leaves
- 1 cup of water
Preparation
- Bring the water to a boil in a pot, once boiling add the java leaves, after approximately 1 minute of boiling, remove from heat and let stand for 10 minutes.
- Its taste is quite bitter, so it is recommended to include an orange or lemon peel when preparing the tea. It is also recommended to consume about 30 minutes before eating or between meals but never with food.
12. Hibiscus tea
Hibiscus is a plant with many beneficial properties for health, including its antioxidant and diuretic capacity, helps control cramps, and is a source of vitamin C, among others.
It is a natural source of nutrients, the flower can be consumed directly in salads or in infusions.
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons dried Hibiscus petals
- 4 cups of water
Preparation
- Place the water in a pot to heat and turn off the heat when it starts to boil. Add the tablespoons of dried petals.
- Let stand for 20 minutes and strain, if desired you can sweeten it with honey. It can be drunk warm or add some ice for a refreshing drink.
13. Watermelon Seed Tea
Watermelon seeds, like the rest of the watermelon, are diuretic. It is also a source of fiber and energy, it has antioxidant properties, another of the characteristics ofwatermelon seeds is that they are rich in vegetable proteins.
As already mentioned, these seeds are a natural diuretic, since they stimulate the cleaning of the kidneys to remove the waste that usually accumulates in their tissues.
Its properties increase urine production, to regulate fluid levels in the body and eliminate heavy metals.
In turn, it is ideal for cleaning the urinary ducts, especially in the bladder, which can also accumulate sediment, as well as reducing the risk of developing infections in the body.
Ingredients
- 40 g of watermelon seeds
- 150 g of watermelon pieces
- 1 liter of water
Preparation
- Bring the liter of water to a boil in a pot, apart from crushing the seeds. When the water is boiling, add the seeds and leave them inside for half an hour.
- Once that time has passed, strain the seeds and add the crushed watermelon. Finally put it in the fridge until it cools down.
- It is recommended to drink a cup of infusion on an empty stomach, 30 minutes before eating breakfast, it can be taken 2 or 3 times a week.
14. Mint Leaf Tea
Mint is well known for its great aroma, this herb is used in the kitchen, as well as for medicinal purposes, since it has an analgesic, antispasmodic action, being a great tea to ingest after meals because it helps in digestion.
In addition, this plant is excellent for treating health problems such as poor digestion, nausea or vomiting, high cholesterol, headaches, menstrual cramps;
Mint is also a powerful antioxidant, consuming it regularly will not only improve kidney function but also our liver will have a very beneficial tonic.
Ingredients
- 4 cups of water
- 10 fresh mint leaves
- 1 teaspoon sweetener of choice (optional)
Preparation
- Place the water to heat in a pot, together with the mint leaves.
- Wait until before it starts to boil and serve, if you wish you can sweeten it.
15. Drink with apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar contains citric acid which can help dissolve calcium deposits, as calcium deposits are produced when minerals and salts become concentrated in the urine, causing them to crystallize and stick together.
It also contains acetic acid that, when consumed, would stimulate the production of alkaline substances in the body. Thanks to this, kidney stones are destroyed and their formation is prevented.
Ingredients
- 1 or 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup of water
- honey (to taste)
Preparation
- Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of vinegar to a cup of water, sweeten a little with honey.
- It is recommended to drink it at least 3 times a day to reduce kidney stones and may be more effective when consumed before meals.
University Professional in the area of Human Resources, Postgraduate in Occupational Health and Hygiene of the Work Environment, 14 years of experience in the area of health. Interested in topics of Psychology, Occupational Health, and General Medicine.