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Herbal Remedies for Kidney Disease
Kidney disease, also known as kidney failure, is any condition that causes kidney dysfunction. The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse states that dysfunctional kidneys fail to perform several important duties, including the removal of excess waste products, minerals and fluid, which can have harmful effects on your body. Some herbal remedies may be a helpful adjunct therapy for your kidney disease, but you should only use herbs after first clearing them with your physician.
Kidney Disease and Health
Decreased kidney function, notes MayoClinic.com, may not be observed until your kidneys experience significant dysfunction. There are several risk factors associated with this condition, including hypertension, diabetes, obesity and long-term smoking.
Common Herbal Remedies
Herbal Remedies That Clean Out the Urine System
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Certain herbal remedies have long been used in treating kidney problems and other problems associated with the urinary tract. Few herbs used in treating kidney problems may have been subjected to rigorous studies using current scientific testing procedures.
Featured Remedy
Buchu is an herbal remedy that is commonly used in treating kidney disease and various conditions of your urinary tract. This herb -- the leaves of the plant, specifically -- may be particularly helpful in treating kidney disease when taken in tea form, notes Balch.
Considerations
Herbal Teas for Kidney Disorders
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If you are diagnosed with kidney disease, discuss the long-term health implications of this condition with your doctor or specialist and what you can do to mitigate its damaging health effects. Talk with your doctor about natural treatment approaches, including the use of herbs, and what role these therapies might play in your care.
Related Articles
References
- "Therapeutic Herb Manual"; Ed Smith; 2007
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; 2010
- Cleveland Clinic. Kidney Failure. Last Reviewed January 10, 2018.
- Potpara TS, Jokic V, Dagres N, et al. Cardiac Arrhythmias in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: Implications of Renal Failure for Antiarrhythmic Drug Therapy. Curr Med Chem. 2016;23(19):2070-83. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehy060
- Centers for Disease Control. National Chronic Kidney Disease Fact Sheet. 2017. Published 2017.
- Kazancioğlu R. Risk factors for chronic kidney disease: an update. Kidney Int Suppl (2011). 2013;3(4):368-371. doi:10.1038/kisup.2013.79
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Choosing a Treatment for Kidney Failure. Published January 2018.
- Kim, D., Kim, M, Kim, H. et al. Early Referral to a Nephrologist Improved Patient Survival: Prospective Cohort Study for End-Stage Renal Disease in Korea. PLoS One. 2013. 8(1):e55323.
- Smart, N., and T. Titus. Outcomes of Early versus Late Nephrology Referral in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review. American Journal of Medicine. 2011. 124(11):1073-80.e2.
- Smart, N., Dieberg, G., Ladhani, M., and T. Titus. Early Referral to Specialist Nephrology Services for Preventing Progression to End-Stage Kidney Disease. Cochrane Database for Systematic Reviews. 2014. (6):CD007333.
Writer Bio
Martin Hughes is a chiropractic physician, health writer and the co-owner of a website devoted to natural footgear. He writes about health, fitness, diet and lifestyle. Hughes earned his Bachelor of Science in kinesiology at the University of Waterloo and his doctoral degree from Western States Chiropractic College in Portland, Ore.