Kidneys are the two minor organs on both sides of the body that regulate the body’s water content. The function of the kidneys includes, elimination of excess water, balancing of the electrolyte levels, and production of hormones.

In general, a healthy diet, sufficient water intake, and good lifestyle practice are usually enough to maintain your kidneys healthy.

Nevertheless, healthy food, supplements, and herbs are essential to sustain kidneys in their best performance.

In this article, we will discuss the supplements and natural herbs for kidney cleanse and health.

1. Grapes

Grapes are one of the most versatile fruits. They come in different colors, including red, green, and purple, and are used to make wine as well as serve as a therapeutic medicine.

Grapes work as a fruit that can help you reduce the risk of developing kidney disorders and protect your renal activity.

Numerous studies have reported that grape seeds extract as well as an active component present in grapes - resveratrol plays a role in healing kidneys naturally. 

One animal study showed that treatment with resveratrol reduced inflammation in kidneys in rats with polycystic kidney disease. [1]

The National Kidney Foundation recommends that in order to revitalize your kidneys, you should take a glass of grape juice or about 15 grapes every day. 

Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism published a study that showed that grape skin and seed components could potentially reverse renal damage that can occur due to a fatty diet [2].

People who are overweight are at a higher risk of renal impairment. This is because, among other complications, these people have a greater copper depletion from the kidneys. It is suggested that the use of grape skin and seed extracts can effectively reduce the risk of kidney disorder caused by obesity. 

Kidney damage can occur due to oxidative stress – the imbalance caused by the accumulation of free-radicals. Serving as an excellent source of antioxidants, grapes protect the body and organs, including kidneys, against oxidative stress.

2. Cranberries

Part of the heather family, cranberries are linked to bilberries, blueberries, and lingonberries. The North American cranberry, called Vaccinium macrocarpon, is the most frequently cultivated species. However, other kinds are also found. 

Cranberries are very sour and sharp in taste. This is why they are mostly not consumed raw. Nonetheless, cranberries have been known for their health benefits on kidneys and the bladder.

Cranberries are loaded with specific antioxidant compounds known as proanthocyanidins. These antioxidants play a role in inhibiting bacterial colonization in your kidneys.

Experts opine that eating cranberry products can avert bacterial attachment into the kidneys. While research in this regard is dwarf, cranberry extract is said to give rise to an environment that does not favor bacterial growth.

However, cranberry products’ consumption is not safe for everyone as a home remedy for renal stones, as cranberries comprise oxalates. This is because in case an individual is susceptible to the formation of kidney stones, foods rich in oxalates can add to their appearance.

According to research in Nutrition Journal, it was shown that women who ate cranberries, either dried or sweetened every day for two weeks, found a decline in the occurrence of urinary tract infection (UTI). [3]

Adding dried cranberries to salads or oatmeal adds a nice sweet flavor that you can enjoy. You can also take cranberries as powder, juice, capsules, or extracts. While cranberry extracts are more concentrated, you can also consume home-made juice by boiling fresh cranberries.

3. Magnesium Glycinate

Research has shown that higher levels of magnesium (Mg) in the serum are associated with a greater survival rate in patients experiencing chronic kidney disease (CKD) and a decline in worsening of the condition. [4, 5]

This association is thought to occur because of the antagonistic activity of Mg on the pro-calcifying environment in CKD. Thus, adding magnesium to your diet plays a role in thwarting the calcifications triggered by calcium and phosphate in vitro. This seems to occur because of magnesium’s upregulation of calcification-inhibiting factors and downregulation of calcification-promoting factors.

Due to this, using Mg supplements can potentially decline the worsening of vascular calcification in Chronic Kidney Disease. This is explained by studies showing that magnesium’s influx into the vascular cell prevents vascular calcification.

However, because the excretion of magnesium occurs in kidneys, there lies a risk as well that too much intake of Mg may cause toxic hypermagnesemia in individuals with poor kidney function.

Foods that are rich in magnesium are as follows:

• Dark green vegetables, for example, spinach.
• Seeds and nuts, including chia, pumpkin, and sesame.
• Lentils and beans.
• Whole, unrefined grains.
• Fruits, including bananas, blackberries, and dried figs.
• Fish, particularly halibut.

Beherbal’s supplement Magnesium Glycinate 400 mg provides the adequate dose of magnesium needed to heal kidneys naturally. It contains the form of magnesium that is the simplest to be absorbed and digested by the stomach.

4. Seaweed

Seaweed, also called Sargassum polycystum (SP), mainly comes from Borneo’s northeastern coast, including Sabah, Semporna, and Malaysia. It was recognized by University Malaysia Sabah’s Dr. P. Matanjun, and its sample had been well-preserved in the Marine Research Institute Herbarium, Borneo.

Brown seaweed is widely known for its favorable effects on the kidneys, pancreas, and liver. An animal trial of 2014 reported that rats who were given edible seaweed for 22 days period showed a decline in damage of kidneys and liver due to diabetes. [6]

Seaweed has antioxidant and free radical scavenging potential that makes it beneficial. SP is used to treat various ailments, including scabies, eczema, psoriasis, ulcer, renal dysfunction, lung diseases, viral hepatitis as well as cardiac disorders [7].

It has been shown that a dose of 300 mg/kg body weight is beneficial for conditions of the pancreas but can be toxic for the liver and kidneys in diabetic rats. Thus, consult a doctor before its continued use. You can use it as dried seaweed for a crunchy snack. [8]

However, seaweed can also cause elevated levels of an increased amount of iodine, leading to hyperthyroidism. Other minor complaints include bad breath, constipation, colds, and fibromyalgia. Thus, it would be best if you referred to your physician before consuming high doses of seaweed.

5. Calcium-Rich Foods

Calcium is one of the most abundant minerals in our bodies. Bones and teeth contain 99% of the calcium in the body. The residual 1% is present in the soft tissues and blood. 

While most people think that avoiding the intake of calcium may help prevent renal stones, in reality, the reverse is true. If the levels of oxalate in urine increase, it can lead to renal stones. Calcium binds to the oxalate molecules to decrease its absorption and excretion in the urine.

However, it is important to keep a balance in the level of calcium. Patients can work with their kidney dietitian along with a doctor to keep these levels in check. Your doctor may recommend blood tests at intervals to check your blood calcium levels. The daily recommended dose of calcium is 1.2 grams. [9] This can be met by consuming foods rich in calcium. These include: 

• Almond or milk
• Tofu
• Fortified cereals

6. Hydrangea

Hydrangea is a beautiful hedge plant, renowned for its fragrance and multicolored flowers, including blue, pink, and white flowers.

Also called paniculata Sieb, Hydrangea is a therapeutic herb grown widely in southern China. It has long been used for treating malaria, inflammation, and fever in the history of traditional Chinese medicine. 

In a recent animal study, it was found that subjects who received Hydrangea paniculate extract for three days had a defensive effect against renal damage. This is considered to come from its antioxidant potential.

HP and its active ingredients are widely used as a therapeutic agent. Its use in septic acute kidney infection is also warranted due to its oxidative-stress combating potential.

While its key components, including loganin, skimmin, and apiosylskimmin, do not contain dynamic reducing groups, like phenolic hydroxyl groups, HP’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties impart its renoprotective potential. The single dosage of 5g/kg of HP is considered safe for rats. [10]

7. Sambong

Sambong is a medicinal herb that has a diuretic potential. Its scientific name is Blumea balsamifera. It is known for its use in treating urolithiasis (stones in the urinary tract or kidneys) as well as urinary tract infections. Hence, it is also beneficial in decreased high blood pressure. It is also helpful in other conditions, including diarrhea, spasms as well serve as an expectorant.

Sambong grows well in a tropical climate and is commonly found in countries including the Philippines and India. The research reported that adding Blumea balsamifera extract to calcium oxalate crystals reduced the crystals’ size, potentially preventing the formation and reversing the renal stones. [11] 

Another study showed that Blumea balsamifera (B. balsamifera) leaf decoction exhibits anti-lithogenic effects, meaning it works to prevent the buildup of stones and helps in treating renal stones. This healing effect is attributed to coming from its diuretic potential. However, it has not been concluded that this therapeutic effect merely comes from this property. [12]

8. Vitamin B6

One important cofactor in several metabolic reactions is vitamin B6. This vitamin is needed for glyoxylate metabolism, which breaks into oxalate rather than glycine, in case of deficiency in vitamin B6.

As discussed earlier, an excessive amount of oxalate can lead to renal stones. You can take vitamin B-complex supplements every day to meet your daily needs. As per the recommendations of the Food and Nutrition Board (FNB), adult people must not take more than 100 mg of vitamin B6 per day unless this has been prescribed as part of their treatment regime by their doctor. [13]

9. Omega-3s Fatty Acids

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids form a great portion of the human diet for several years. In general, the fast-food that most people are accustomed to contains more inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids rather than the beneficial omega-3 fatty acids.

A study reported that increased omega-6 fatty acid levels could cause renal stones. Whereas, increasing the intake of omega-3s may reduce the metabolism of omega-6s naturally, the ideal intake ratio being 1:1. [14] There is hoarding evidence proposing that fish oil-derived fatty acids, in particular EPA and DHA, offer a multitude of health benefits for individuals having progressive kidney disease.

There are two important types of omega-3 fatty acids. These include Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). These are long-chain FA, containing twenty or more carbon atoms lengthwise. They are polyunsaturated, meaning that they have two or more double bonds in them, one of which presents at the third carbon region from the methyl or omega-3 terminus.

As the body produces a very limited amount of omega-3 EPA, you have to get these fatty acids primarily from your diet. This is the reason why they are called “essential” fatty acids. 

Again, these fatty acids can be obtained as supplements for daily replenishment. 

10. Potassium Citrate

Potassium citrate can be used to treat renal stone, a condition known as renal tubular acidosis. It serves as a supplement to heal kidneys naturally. It is further known to prevent renal stones that can occur with gout.

Moreover, potassium citrate works as a urinary alkalinizer. This means that it makes the urine less acidic and more alkaline in nature. A balance in potassium levels maintains the pH balance and electrolyte balance of urine.

Hence, supplementation of potassium citrate can effectively decrease the risk of renal stone formation, particularly in patients with recurrent episodes.

You can take multimineral or multivitamin supplements containing potassium. However, consult your doctor for the maintenance of balanced levels of potassium citrate. You can also ask your doctor about the right dosage and frequency of potassium supplementation.

Bottomline

Supplements and natural herbs for kidneys can immensely help support adequate kidney health in normal conditions. However, in cases of kidney problems, these supplements and herbs may not be sufficient for the right management of your disease and to heal kidneys naturally. Thus, visiting the specialist is crucial for correct diagnosis and proper treatment planning. 

 

 

References:

1. Ming Wu, Junhui Gu, Shuqin Mei, Dechao Xu, Ying Jing, Qing Yao, Meihan Chen, Ming Yang, Sixiu Chen, Bo Yang, Na Qi, Huimin Hu, Rudolf P. Wüthrich, Changlin Mei, Resveratrol delays polycystic kidney disease progression through attenuation of nuclear factor κB-induced inflammation, Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation, Volume 31, Issue 11, November 2016, Pages 1826–1834, https://doi.org/10.1093/ndt/gfw058
2. Kamel Charradi,Salem Elkahoui,Ines Karkouch, Ferid Limam,Ghaith Hamdaoui,Fethy Ben Hassine,Mich le Veronique El May,Ahmed El May, Ezzedine Aouani^.Grape seed and skin extract alleviates high-fat diet-induced renal lipotoxicity and prevents copper depletion in rat
3. Burleigh AE, Benck SM, McAchran SE, Reed JD, Krueger CG, Hopkins WJ. Consumption of sweetened, dried cranberries may reduce urinary tract infection incidence in susceptible women--a modified observational study. Nutr J. 2013;12(1):139. Published 2013 Oct 18. doi:10.1186/1475-2891-12-139
4. Bressendorff I, Hansen D, Schou M, et al. Oral Magnesium Supplementation in Chronic Kidney Disease Stages 3 and 4: Efficacy, Safety, and Effect on Serum Calcification Propensity-A Prospective Randomized Double-Blinded Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Kidney Int Rep. 2016;2(3):380-389. Published 2016 Dec 30. doi:10.1016/j.ekir.2016.12.008
5. Sakaguchi Y., Iwatani H., Hamano T. Magnesium modifies the association between serum phosphate and the risk of progression to end-stage kidney disease in patients with non-diabetic chronic kidney disease. Kidney Int.2015;88:833–842. 
6. Motshakeri M, Ebrahimi M, Goh YM, Othman HH, Hair-Bejo M, Mohamed S. Effects of Brown Seaweed (Sargassum polycystum) Extracts on Kidney, Liver, and Pancreas of Type 2 Diabetic Rat Model. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014;2014:379407. doi:10.1155/2014/379407
7. Jones AF, Winkles JW, Jennings PE, Florkowski CM, Lunec J, Barnett AH. Serum antioxidant activity in diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Research.1988;7(2):89–92.
8. Motshakeri M, Ebrahimi M, Goh YM, Othman HH, Hair-Bejo M, Mohamed S. Effects of Brown Seaweed (Sargassum polycystum) Extracts on Kidney, Liver, and Pancreas of Type 2 Diabetic Rat Model. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014;2014:379407. doi:10.1155/2014/379407
9. How much calcium do you really need? HHP. sept, 2019. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-much-calcium-do-you-really-need
10. Zhang S, Ma J, Sheng L, et al. Total Coumarins from Hydrangea paniculata Show Renal Protective Effects in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Kidney Injury via Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Activities. Front Pharmacol. 2017;8:872. Published 2017 Dec 14. doi:10.3389/fphar.2017.00872
11. Montealegre CM, De Leon RL. Effect of Blumea balsamifera extract on the phase and morphology of calcium oxalate crystals. Asian J Urol. 2017;4(4):201-207. doi:10.1016/j.ajur.2016.08.009
12. Alok S., Jain S.K., Verma A., Kumar M., Sabharwal M. Pathophysiology of kidney, gallbladder and urinary stones treatment with herbal and allopathic medicine: a review. Asian Pac J Trop Dis.2013;3:496–504.
13. A Vitamin Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. NIH. feb, 2020. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB6-HealthProfessional/
14. Gul Z, Monga M. Medical and dietary therapy for kidney stone prevention. Korean J Urol. 2014;55(12):775-779. doi:10.4111/kju.2014.55.12.775