This blog discusses about kidney stones, their formation and their treatment through Nature Cure. Read on.

THE BALANCING ACT

Normally, a person has two kidneys. The kidneys are bean-shaped organs, each about 4 to 5 inches long. They lie on each side of the spinal column, just behind the space that contains the digestive organs (abdominal cavity). All the functions normally performed by the kidneys can be carried out adequately by one healthy kidney. Some people are born with only one kidney and some others choose to donate one kidney, in that case, the other kidney grows until it is large enough to do the work previously done by the two kidneys.

THE FUNCTIONS OF THE KIDNEYS
The kidneys are excretory organs discharging very vital function of filtering the blood, eliminating (excreting) metabolic waste products and excess water, electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, glucose and carbonates) and many drugs.

STONES IN THE KIDNEYS
Stones (calculi) are hard masses that form anywhere in the urinary tract and may cause pain, bleeding, obstruction of the flow of urine or infection.

Depending on where a stone forms, it may be called a kidney stone, ureteral stone or a bladder stone. The process of stone formation is called urolithiasis, renal lithiasis or nephrolithiasis.

GRAVEL FORMATION IN THE KIDNEYS
Where there is too much of waste matter to be excreted through the kidneys, they are considerably taxed and consequently they become very weak.in such cases, the waste matter (uric acid urates, crystalline salts such as oxalate of lime, phosphate of lime, or ammonio-magnesium phosphate of lime) tends to be deposited in the kidneys as gravel which may be red or white or yellowish in colour. Generally, such gravel is eliminated through the urine, with practically no uncomfortable symptoms.

If irritation is felt in the urinary passage and especially if that feeling persists for quite some time after urination, one may suspect the development of gravel in his kidneys. If the urine passed by such an individual is collected in a vessel and kept undisturbed for some time, one can find a sand-like deposit below the urine, which may include some mucus and pus also.
Excruciating pain is felt only when the gravel is large in size. If gravel appears in the urine, it would be worthwhile for the individual concerned to rectify the real cause of the troubles, by dietetic reform and other basic Nature Cure methods.

SYMPTOMS OF RENAL COLIC
If however, the condition is neglected, the gravel in the kidney may collect and become bigger in size to form into 'stones'.
When a large piece of gravel is passed on from the kidneys into the bladder through ureter (the small tube connecting the kidney with the bladder) there is considerable pain felt by the patient this is called RENAL COLIC. The pain, in this case, extends from the groin to the kidneys and sometimes down to the scrotum and thighs as well. There is frequent urge to pass urine which is scanty, blood-red or highly coloured. There may be vomiting also. It takes some time for the large gravel to pass on to the bladder and by then a great relief is felt, though the enervation might continue for two, three days each time.

CHANGES IN THE STRUCTURE OF THE KIDNEY
If the stone formed in the kidney is very large in size, it is not possible to expel it normally through the ureter. In such cases, inflammation or even an abscess is caused in the kidney.

SURGERY IS NO SOLUTION

If there is a large sized gravel or stone in the kidney (or if there are many such in the kidney) discomforts will be felt by the individual concerned. One may resort to surgery, but since the causes behind the formation of stone are not removed, stones may again be formed in either of the kidneys (practically there are umpteen such cases where the patient has been operated several times for the removal of kidney stones).
Certain non-allopathic “drug systems” talk of effective methods to expel stones. The medication prescribed by these is all symptomatic and these too weaken the kidneys beyond repair.

SOLUTION THROUGH NATURE CURE
Nature cure offers the only solution - safe, sane and sound.
Even large-sized stones can be disintegrated.

If the patient takes to a positive diet (consisting of only vegetables and fruits) for some time and if such diet is taken very moderately with due regards to the 'Principle of Vital Economy', the large stones will disintegrate into small gravels of very small sizes, which can be easily eliminated through urine.

TREATMENT
1) A non-violent, 250 ml cold water enema after nature's call.
2) A glass of ash gourd juice mixed with the juice of 10 bael patra leaves.
3) 30 minutes sunbath coverings the head with a cap, followed by 25 minutes spinal bath.
4) Diet, as indicated in the below at mentioned note at 12:00 pm.
5) Spinal bath for 20 minutes at 2:00 pm.
6) Diet, as per note at 5:00 pm.
7) Ash gourd juice as per 2 above at 7:00 pm.
8) Simulating wet pack for one hour.

DIET

1) First 3 days. Tender coconut water alone.
2) For the next 4 days, 11 a.m. tender coconut water alone, followed by fresh fruit juice at 5 p.m.
3) 7th day onwards,11 a.m. - Salad of raw vegetables - cucumber, carrot, ash gourd, coconut scrapings. Chakramuni (a leafy vegetable), Ceylon spinach, onion and banana.
4) At 5 p.m., steamed vegetables, coconut scrapings and fruits or
5) Tender coconut with the soft kernel inside, ripe banana and a piece of cucumber.

Needless to mention that all unhygienic habits and consumption of stimulants tea, coffee, cola, alcohol, animal products protein-rich diet and especially chocolate are to be avoided totally.

HEALING CRISIS
Following Nature Cure regime, the disintegration of the stone is inevitable. During this pain is likely to follow, which has to be handled by hot and cold fomentation over the seat of the pain as frequently as needed and an approach to fasting (drinking only coconut water or diluted fruit juice)or water fast during the pain.

These are all general guidelines. Services of a qualified Naturopath should be availed.

PREVENTION IS ALWAYS THE BEST CURE
Prevention is better than cure. Wisdom lies in preventing the formations of gravels or stones in the kidneys. The only sensible way for this is to follow the life naturally.

In the words of Dr J.H.Tilden, of U.S.A. -
"It is doubtful if such diseases as renal colic, gall-stone or stone in the urinary bladder will ever develop if the diet is well balanced, carrying enough raw vegetables and fruits to prevent the accumulation of minerals, in wrong and overworked emotions and the use of stimulants, will cause the disease.”
Some eminent nutritionists also agree that regular consumption of foods depleted of certain vitamins predisposes some to form stones in the kidneys.

We would advise the health seekers to take to a vegetarian diet thus ensuring a plentiful supply of vitamins and minerals salts, enzymes and trace elements.

(About the author Vijai S Pawar: I am a 72-year-old veteran practising pure nature cure for 45 years.M.I.I.N.T (1980) certified. I lead a healthy life free from any disease and share my knowledge with others freely.)