Kidney Stone Symptoms and Treatments

William L. Wolcott, Metabolic Typing, writes:
There are 2 types of kidney stones: Calcium stones and Oxalate/Urate stones.

Calcium stones typically result from persistent alkaline urine (above 6.2), causing calcium to precipitate out of solution – just like calcium deposits on your pot from boiling water (boiling turns water alkaline).

Oxalate stones form from a persistent acid urine.

Both can result from dehydration and high specific gravity. Note that a high Specific Gravity is often seen in a Catabolic (dysaerobic) imbalance, which also produces an acid urine pH.

Nutritionally, for Calcium stones (alkaline urine pH), use Travacid and Calcitrate to change the alkaline urine pH. For both, use Ultra Phos drops – 30-90 drops per day – to lower blood viscosity.

For Oxalate stones, use Potassium Bicarbonate (.5 or 1 tsp) dissolved in water 2x per day. (Contraindicated in Addison’s Disease.) And of course, eliminate high oxalate foods from the diet.

If desired changes are not seen in a timely manner, herbs can be used to help dissolve the stones. Chinese herbal medicine is particularly good for liver and kidney issues.

Maureen Fontaine, B.Ed, ECS, Clinical Nutritionist, Master Herbalist, writes:

According to Chinese medicine, the kidneys support the bones. Healthy kidneys are essential for strong bones. Other than pain in the kidney area, kidney stones may be associated with lower back and knee pain and may even cause hematuria (blood in urine), painful or difficult urination or cold sweat [A Barefoot Doctor’s Manual, the American translation of the official Chinese Paramedical Manual, Running Press, Philadelphia, 1990].

Weak kidneys may also lead to weak bones, poor head hair and disorders in the ears. Osteoporosis is a major health concern with many older people. One of the solutions to the problem may lie in maintaining healthy kidneys. Weak kidneys may cause increased urinary losses of calcium and phosphates due to the kidneys’ inability to form acid urine (Harper, H.A., Review of Physiological Chemistry, 14th edition, Lange Medical Publications, 1973).

The Chinese herb Gold Coin Grass (GCG) has been commonly used in Chinese medicine for centuries for gallstone removal and kidney stone removal. For kidney stone treatment, it is taken in the form of tea because kidney detoxifies water soluble toxins. However, the tincture form with low level of alcohol seems to be more effective for gallstones because alcohol is a better solvent and carrier for the liver. Since the liver detoxifies non-water soluble toxins, water is a poor carrier. Gold Coin Grass (GCG) is capable of softening and crushing the gallstones. This has been my own experience as well as that of many other people who used the herb. The crushed and softened stones are flushed through much more readily.

The following kidney stone removal procedure brings good results (disappearance of pain in a few days). It involves drinking a tea made from 3 different herbs: Gold Coin Grass (GCG), corn silk and Eucommia . These herbs are mixed together and boiled in water for about 20 minutes. About 4 cups are needed daily, taken before meals or bedtime on empty stomach. Both Gold Coin Grass (GCG) and corn silk are kidney cleansers and diuretics which may deplete the body of potassium. Therefore it is recommended that potassium supplement be taken to replenish the loss. The Chinese herb Eucommia increases energy flow in the kidneys and is complementary to Gold Coin Grass (GCG) and corn silk because anyone with kidney stones or sludges has sluggish kidneys.

An important note to anyone with kidney stones is to avoid cold foods or drinks. Cold drinks chill your internal organs and weaken them, especially the kidneys and spleen. Many of my clients told me that they can feel the chilling effect from cold drinks after several months of not having them. Foods that weaken the kidneys should also be avoided. They include all citrus fruits, tomato and banana.

As a side note, we were pleasantly surprised to find that the kidney tea described above (made from 3 different herbs: Gold Coin Grass (GCG), corn silk and Eucommia also helped dogs with urinary difficulties or prostate problems.