Is kidney cleansing important? Your kidneys process your blood and help eliminate waste products and extra water. These waste products include various toxins like mercury, copper and arsenic-bound chemicals.
The waste and extra water form urine which makes it’s way through the ureters to your bladder. Your bladder stores urine until you get rid of it. Problems arise if your kidneys become overloaded with toxins or if they are unable to filter well. Kidney and bladder diseases can result if you are unable to discharge the waste and urine from your body.
You may wonder if kidney cleansing is important and can it help cleanse the toxins that accumulate in the kidneys and the bladder. Does a cleansed kidney function better to filter out pollutants, drugs, chemicals, and other harmful materials? If you do a kidney cleanse, can you also deter urinary tract infections and help dissolve kidney stones?
Other than being vital in the elimination of metabolic wastes, your kidneys perform other useful functions. Kidneys help regulate your blood pressure, maintain fluid and electrolyte balance, activate vitamin D and help maintain the electrolyte balance by excreting alkaline salts.
Signs that you may need kidney cleansing
The three things that are the biggest risk to your kidneys are diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. Living a healthy lifestyle including eating well and exercising regularly will be the best things you can do for your kidney health.
Problems with kidney health can result in lower back pain, lung edema and pains in various odd spots like legs and stomachs.
The problem is that if the cells in your kidney have died they can’t be revived. But you need to act on the warning and remove further damage.
How do you do a kidney cleanse – and should you?
There are many herbal and homeopathic remedies recommended for cleansing kidney stones. Basically you need to flush out the accumulated toxins that have built up over time. Some people recommend you do a water fast or a juice fast to help you produce a gallon of urine a day.
If you are going to fast on just liquids for two days avoid strenuous exercise. Be prepared that you may experience headaches. Gentle exercise can help stimulate your body metabolism. Try some light yoga or walking in the fresh air.
If you are not going for the full water fast then limit the amount of protein you eat (especially red meat) and replace with light salads.
One of the plants that is good for kidney health is the Princes Pine (Pipsissewa). It acts as a diuretic can actually dissolve kidney stones and contains hydroquinone which heals inflammation of the bladder.
You can read more about Princes Pine on page 200 of The Herbal Book Of Remedies. It includes over 800 plants and remedies important in holistic medicine.
It’s amazing how many plants you probably walk past each day without realizing their worth in natural medicine.
Why water is important to kidneys
If you don’t drink enough water you make your chance of developing kidney stones greater. You may think you need to drink a lot of liquid to cleanse the insides of your body. We should all be aiming to drink 2 liters of water each day. This is especially important if you have had kidney stones in the past. But there is no evidence that increasing that further gives any additional benefit.
Teas that are good for kidney health are:
Stinging nettle – high in antioxidants and reduces inflammation
Hydrangea – which a study in animals showed protective effects on kidneys
Sambong – which a study showed reduced the size of oxalate crystals that make up kidney stones
Dandelion – which you can make from dandelion root is a kidney tonic, but also stimulates bile production to improve digestion and minimize the waste reaching the kidneys
Make sure if you are going to make your own natural remedies that you know how to identify and prepare them correctly.
Other ingredients to add to a kidney detox are:
Apple cider vinegar – can prevent oxidative stress of the kidneys. Contains antioxidants, balances blood sugar levels and reduces blood pressure, all important for kidney health. The citric acid helps dissolve kidney stones. Frequent intake of apple cider vinegar also flushes out toxins from the kidneys.
Lemon Juice – also contains citric acid so helps dissolve kidney stones.
Watermelon – has a mild diuretic effect and also contains potassium which helps electrolyte balance.
Before you begin any attempt at kidney cleansing, as with introducing any other health program, you should first consult your medical practitioner to make sure there is no reason for you not to proceed.
Risk factors for kidney disease
High blood pressure
Diabetes
Obesity
How to maintain good kidney health
To maintain a healthy kidney, begin a regular exercise regime and also avoid excessive alcohol, red and smoked meats, processed foods, canned pork and highly salted foods. The best thing you can do is to drink plenty of water and fluids each day.
Eating a healthy diet will help maintain healthy kidneys. Foods that help maintain healthy levels of cholesterol and guard against increased blood pressure and diabetes all help. Any food that is high in antioxidants will help protect all your cells including those of the kidney.
Foods that can be beneficial to kidney health include foods rich in omega3 fatty acids like oily fish and leafy green vegetables like cabbage. All the foods listed above could be added to your diet. Why not start your day with apple cider vinegar or hot water with lemon instead of coffee?
Dates contain magnesium which can help and kidney beans are well named as they contain Vitamin B and minerals that help kidney function.
Cut down on the amount of salt you consume. If you season your food while cooking you really don’t need to add extra at the table.
Give up smoking and limit your intake of painkillers like ibuprofen.
Also empty your bladder as soon as possible when it is full.
Changing your lifestyle to include regular exercise and healthy foods will aid in many areas not just kidney health. You may find that kidney cleansing is not as important as just maintaining a healthy weight and blood pressure.
