Urinary Calculus: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Urinary calculus, also known as kidney stones, refers to the formation of small, hard mineral deposits in the urinary tract.

These stones typically develop due to concentrated urine, lack of fluids, and imbalance in electrolytes and minerals. Prolonged retention of stones can lead to severe pain, nausea, and infections, potentially causing kidney damage, obstruction, and even sepsis. To alleviate urinary calculus, herbal remedies such as juniper berries, marshmallow root, and dandelion root can help dissolve and flush out stones.

However, it is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional before using medicinal herbs, as they may interact with medications or exacerbate underlying conditions.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of urinary calculus, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of urinary calculus?

The main causes of urinary calculus are genetic predisposition, where individuals with a family history of kidney stones are more susceptible due to inherited factors such as hyperparathyroidism, renal tubular acidosis, and distal renal tubular acidosis.

Additionally, dietary factors such as excessive intake of calcium, oxalate, and uric acid from foods like spinach, rhubarb, and sardines contribute significantly to the formation of stones. Inadequate fluid intake, often resulting from dehydration, can lead to concentrated urine, which increases the likelihood of stone formation. Other contributing factors include gastrointestinal disorders like Crohn's disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and bariatric surgery, which can lead to altered nutrient absorption and increased risk of stone formation.

Furthermore, underlying medical conditions such as kidney disease, hypertension, and certain metabolic disorders can also increase the risk of developing urinary calculus.

• Hypercalciuria: Hypercalciuria is the condition where there is an excessive amount of calcium in the urine, often caused by an overactive parathyroid gland, excessive vitamin D levels, or excessive calcium intake, leading to the formation of calcium stones.
• Gout: Gout is a medical condition characterized by an excessive level of uric acid in the blood, which can lead to the formation of uric acid stones in the urinary tract due to the uric acid crystallizing out of the solution.
• Kidney Disease: Kidney disease is a condition where the kidneys are not functioning properly, leading to an imbalance in the concentration of substances in the urine, including minerals and salts, which can contribute to the formation of kidney stones.
• Obesity: Obesity is a condition characterized by an excessive amount of body fat, which can increase the risk of developing kidney stones, particularly calcium stones, due to the increased levels of calcium in the urine.
• Dehydration: Dehydration is a condition where there is not enough water in the body, leading to a concentration of substances in the urine, including minerals and salts, which can contribute to the formation of kidney stones.
• Family History: Family history is a significant risk factor for developing urinary calculus, as individuals with a family history of kidney stones are more likely to develop stones due to inherited genetic traits.
• Medications: Certain medications, such as diuretics and calcium supplements, can increase the risk of developing urinary calculus by altering the concentration of substances in the urine, including minerals and salts.
• Urinary Tract Infections: Urinary tract infections, particularly those caused by certain bacteria, can increase the risk of developing urinary calculus by introducing bacteria into the urinary tract and promoting the formation of stones.
• Age: Age is a significant risk factor for developing urinary calculus, as the risk of developing kidney stones increases with age, particularly after the age of 50.
• Gender: Gender is a significant risk factor for developing urinary calculus, as men are more likely to develop kidney stones than women, particularly due to the increased levels of calcium in the urine.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for urinary calculus?

The main medicinal herbs used for urinary calculus are Berberis vulgaris, Juniperus communis, Taraxacum officinale, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Hydrangea arborescens, Berberis aristata, Astragalus membranaceus, Equisetum arvense, Tribulus terrestris, Punica granatum.

Berberis vulgaris contains berberine which has been shown to inhibit the growth of E. coli and P. aeruginosa bacteria that can cause urinary tract infections, reducing the risk of calculus formation. Juniperus communis has diuretic properties that increase urine output, helping to flush out minerals and salts that can contribute to calculus formation. Taraxacum officinale has anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce inflammation and pain associated with urinary calculus, while Glycyrrhiza glabra has been traditionally used to reduce inflammation and soothe the mucous membranes of the urinary tract.

Additionally, Hydrangea arborescens has been used to help dissolve and eliminate kidney stones, while Berberis aristata, Astragalus membranaceus, Equisetum arvense, Tribulus terrestris, and Punica granatum have been traditionally used to support kidney and urinary tract health.

• Berberis vulgaris: Berberis vulgaris is used to help with urinary calculus due to its isoquinoline alkaloids, particularly berberine, which have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce the risk of urinary tract infections that can contribute to the formation of kidney stones.
• Juniperus communis: Juniperus communis is used to help with urinary calculus because its essential oils, such as terpinen-4-ol and α-pinene, have diuretic properties that help increase urine production and reduce the concentration of minerals in the urine, which can help prevent the formation of kidney stones.
• Taraxacum officinale: Taraxacum officinale is used to help with urinary calculus due to its high water content and diuretic properties, which help increase urine production and reduce the risk of kidney stones by diluting the concentration of minerals in the urine.
• Glycyrrhiza glabra: Glycyrrhiza glabra is used to help with urinary calculus because its saponins and flavonoids have anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce the risk of urinary tract infections and inflammation in the urinary tract that can contribute to the formation of kidney stones.
• Hydrangea arborescens: Hydrangea arborescens is used to help with urinary calculus due to its flavonoids and phenolic acids, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help reduce the risk of kidney stones by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the urinary tract.
• Berberis aristata: Berberis aristata is used to help with urinary calculus because its berberine and other isoquinoline alkaloids have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce the risk of urinary tract infections and inflammation in the urinary tract that can contribute to the formation of kidney stones.
• Astragalus membranaceus: Astragalus membranaceus is used to help with urinary calculus due to its flavonoids and saponins, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help reduce the risk of kidney stones by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the urinary tract.
• Equisetum arvense: Equisetum arvense is used to help with urinary calculus because its flavonoids and phenolic acids have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help reduce the risk of urinary tract infections and inflammation in the urinary tract that can contribute to the formation of kidney stones.
• Tribulus terrestris: Tribulus terrestris is used to help with urinary calculus due to its saponins, which have diuretic properties that help increase urine production and reduce the risk of kidney stones by diluting the concentration of minerals in the urine.
• Punica granatum: Punica granatum is used to help with urinary calculus because its flavonoids and anthocyanins have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help reduce the risk of urinary tract infections and inflammation in the urinary tract that can contribute to the formation of kidney stones.

What are the main herbal preparations used for urinary calculus?

The main herbal preparations used for urinary calculus are Decoction, Tincture, Capsule, Suppository, Salve, Poultice, Powder, Cream, Ointment, Gel.

Decoction is prepared by boiling herbs in water to treat urinary calculi by increasing urine volume and preventing recurrences, while Tincture is a concentrated liquid extract used orally to dissolve kidney stones by reducing stone size and facilitating their passage. Capsule form is used to administer herbs like Juniper berries and Corn silk, which help prevent stone formation by reducing stone size and promoting urination. Suppository form is used to administer herbs like Dandelion root, which helps in dissolving kidney stones by increasing urine volume and reducing stone size, while Salve and Poultice are used to apply herbs like Uva Ursi, which helps in reducing inflammation and promoting healing.

Powder and Cream forms are used to administer herbs like Stone root and Marshmallow root, which help in preventing stone formation by reducing stone size and promoting urination, and Ointment and Gel forms are used to apply herbs like Plantain, which helps in reducing inflammation and promoting healing.

• Decoction: A decoction of the leaves of the Dandelion plant (Taraxacum officinale) helps with urinary calculus by increasing urine production and acting as a diuretic to flush out kidney stones.
• Tincture: A tincture of the roots of the Goldenseal plant (Hydrastis canadensis) helps with urinary calculus by reducing inflammation and killing bacteria that can contribute to the formation of kidney stones.
• Capsule: A capsule containing the dried berries of the Juniper plant (Juniperus communis) helps with urinary calculus by stimulating urine production and acting as a diuretic to help flush out kidney stones.
• Suppository: A suppository of the root of the Marshmallow plant (Althaea officinalis) helps with urinary calculus by soothing and protecting the mucous membranes of the urinary tract, reducing inflammation and discomfort caused by kidney stones.
• Salve: A salve made from the roots of the Echinacea plant (Echinacea spp.) helps with urinary calculus by reducing inflammation and promoting healing of the urinary tract, which can become irritated by the presence of kidney stones.
• Poultice: A poultice of the leaves of the Cleavers plant (Galium aparine) helps with urinary calculus by drawing out toxins and reducing inflammation in the urinary tract, which can become irritated by the presence of kidney stones.
• Powder: A powder made from the dried roots of the Burdock plant (Arctium lappa) helps with urinary calculus by acting as a diuretic to increase urine production and help flush out kidney stones.
• Cream: A cream made from the roots of the Marshmallow plant (Althaea officinalis) helps with urinary calculus by soothing and protecting the mucous membranes of the urinary tract, reducing inflammation and discomfort caused by kidney stones.
• Ointment: An ointment made from the roots of the Comfrey plant (Symphytum officinale) helps with urinary calculus by reducing inflammation and promoting healing of the urinary tract, which can become irritated by the presence of kidney stones.
• Gel: A gel made from the dried berries of the Juniper plant (Juniperus communis) helps with urinary calculus by stimulating urine production and acting as a diuretic to help flush out kidney stones.