Top Natural Remedies for Kidney Stones

Published September 26, 2025

Medically Reviewed By

Devin Miles, ND

Writers

Anyone who’s ever had to pass a kidney stone knows the pain is unforgettable. Whether the stone is as small as a grain of rice or closer to a jagged pebble, the experience can be as frightening as it is excruciating. Because kidney stones are rarely a one-time occurrence, prevention is vital.

Easing discomfort and preventing recurrent kidney stones starts at home. Many small, non-obstructive stones can be managed naturally.

Why do kidney stones form?

medical practitioner points to model of kidney

Kidney stones develop when salts and minerals crystallize inside the organ. Over time, these crystals clump together into stones. There are four main types of stones:¹ calcium oxalate (the most common, causing about 70 percent of cases), calcium phosphate, uric acid, and struvite.

Kidney stones can be microscopic, even smaller than a grain of sand, or large and sharp, resembling antlers. While tiny stones may pass unnoticed, larger ones often cause severe pain.

Diet, dehydration, genetics, certain medical conditions, and even some medications contribute to stone formation. Men, in particular, face a higher risk.²

“By far the biggest risk factor for kidney stones is dehydration,” says Jenna Henderson, ND, of Holistic Kidney Naturopathic Medical Practice. “Chronic urinary tract infections (also associated with dehydration) are also a risk factor. Alcohol abuse is another big factor. Obesity, diabetes, and gout are associated with kidney stones.”

Dr. Henderson, who overcame a rare kidney disease herself, adds that extreme diets can also play a role. She notes that a diet high in oxalates (from a purely vegetable diet) may contribute to oxalate stones, while a meat-heavy diet can increase the risk of uric acid stones. Other factors include personal history, genetics, and even high doses of vitamin C.

“Medullary Sponge Kidney is associated with kidney stones,” says Dr. Henderson. “It’s a rare condition, but I have seen it with surprising frequency. Geographically, the Southeastern states, also called the ‘stone belt’, have a greater incidence of kidney stones than the rest of the country.”

What causes kidney stone pain?

Some small stones may pass without symptoms, but even the tiniest stones can wreak havoc as they move through the ureter from the kidney to the bladder. Many people will experience one or all of the following symptoms:¹^,³

Intense pain in the stomach, back, or sides
Urinary frequency
Nausea and vomiting
Fever and chills

Always consult a doctor if you suspect kidney stones, especially if symptoms are severe. Larger or more complex stones may require medical intervention.

Five natural remedies for kidney stones

Several safe, research-backed remedies may help with small and non-obstructive kidney stones. Because the size, type, and severity of stones cannot be confirmed without medical diagnostics, it’s important to consult a doctor before attempting treatment at home.

Hydration

person squeezes lemon into glass of water with ice

Because dehydration is a leading cause of kidney stones, hydration is a crucial component of an effective prevention plan.⁴ Increasing fluid intake cuts the risk of recurrent stone episodes by more than half.⁵

Some practitioners say juice, coffee, and tea count toward fluid intake. Consult with your healthcare provider for personalized advice.

Citrus

Lemons contain high amounts of citric acid, which not only reduces the risk of calcium oxalate stones but may also keep existing stones from expanding.⁶^,⁷

Chanca piedra (stone breaker)

This traditional South American herb has earned its name. Research suggests it can shrink and reduce the number of stones that develop.⁸^,⁹

Chanca piedra is a natural diuretic that may alkalize urine, making it more difficult for stones to form. Dr. Henderson frequently recommends the herb in her practice.

Cornsilk or marshmallow tea

“Cornsilk [and] marshmallow tea are soothing demulcents that can help ease the passage of small kidney stones,” says Dr. Henderson. These herbs contain mucilage, a soothing, gel-like compound that calms irritated tissues.¹⁰ Research supports their anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties,¹¹^,¹² but be sure to consult your practitioner for proper dosing.

To prepare tea, steep one to two teaspoons of dried cornsilk or marshmallow herbs in boiling water for five to eight minutes. Strain the mixture before drinking.

Celery juice

Although celery juice may not be the miracle cure it’s often touted as, it does contain apigenin, a flavonoid with anti-inflammatory and anti-stone properties. Celery is also a natural diuretic.

More research is needed, but drinking celery juice regularly is considered safe and may help people who struggle with kidney stones.¹³

Natural pain relief for passing stones

Passing a stone can be agonizing, which is why many rely on over-the-counter pain relief. “Pharmaceutical interventions are usually short-term and don’t cause lasting trouble,” says Dr. Henderson. “Acetaminophen is the over-the-counter [pain reliever] that is the least toxic to the kidneys, but it’s not non-toxic. Garlic, however, can reduce the nephrotoxicity of Tylenol.”

Other soothing options include the following:

Applying a warm compress or hot water bottle
Taking an Epsom salt bath (submerging upper body)
Using castor oil packs on the mid-back
Lying on your side with knees drawn up

In severe cases, medical treatments such as Lithotripsy (a procedure that breaks up stones) may be necessary.¹⁴ If you experience unbearable pain, fever, or other concerning symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

Preventing kidney stones

If you’ve had a stone once, you’re more likely to develop another. Practical preventive strategies like boosting fluid intake and targeted supplementation are crucial:

Lower sodium intake.¹⁵
Use calcium supplements carefully (food sources are safer).¹⁶
Try apple cider vinegar to reduce recurrence risk.¹⁷^,¹⁸
Skip soda.¹⁹
Drink pomegranate juice for antioxidant effects and hibiscus tea for diuretic effects and hydration.²⁰
Ask about melatonin, which protects against oxalate-induced renal injury.²¹
Ensure adequate intake of magnesium, shown to reduce recurrence.²²
Consider taking probiotics. Four specific strains of healthy bacteria show promise in preventing and managing oxalate buildup and associated inflammation.²³^,²⁴

Dr. Henderson suggests avoiding mushroom supplements if oxalate stones are an issue and incorporating more garlic into meals, as allicin inhibits the formation of calcium oxalate crystals. Boiling spinach and soaking beans, grains, and seeds overnight reduces oxalate levels.

“Staying active is also key,” she adds, “as is a balanced diet. I think we are meant to be omnivores. Too many oxalate-containing plants can be a problem, and too many purines from animal foods drive up uric acid. Interestingly, milk and other dairy products have no oxalates and are low in purines, so they don’t raise uric acid.”

Footnotes

1
Coe FL, Evan A, Worcester E. Kidney stone disease. J Clin Invest. 2005 Oct;115(10):2598-608. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI26662
2
Ferraro PM, Taylor EN, Curhan GC. Factors associated with sex differences in the risk of kidney stones. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2023 Jan 23;38(1):177-183. https://doi.org/10.1093/ndt/gfac037
3
Fontenelle LF, Sarti TD. Kidney stones: treatment and prevention. Am Fam Physician. 2019 Apr 15;99(8):490-496. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2019/0415/p490.html
4
Gamage KN, Jamnadass E, Sulaiman SK, Pietropaolo A, Aboumarzouk O, Somani BK. The role of fluid intake in the prevention of kidney stone disease: a systematic review over the last two decades. Turk J Urol. 2020 Nov;46(Supp. 1):S92-S103. https://urologyresearchandpractice.org/Content/files/sayilar/155/3-The.pdf
5
Conroy DE, Marks J, Cutshaw A, Ram N, Thomaz E, Streeper NM. Promoting fluid intake to increase urine volume for kidney stone prevention: protocol for a randomized controlled efficacy trial of the sipIT intervention. Contemp Clin Trials. 2024 Mar;138:107454. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1551714424000284
6
Oussama A, Touhami M, Mbarki M. In vitro and in vivo study of effect of lemon juice on urinary lithogenesis. Arch Esp Urol. 2005 Dec;58(10):1087-92. https://doi.org/10.4321/s0004-06142005001000019
7
Kulaksizoğlu S, Sofikerim M, Cevik C. In vitro effect of lemon and orange juices on calcium oxalate crystallization. Int Urol Nephrol. 2008;40(3):589-94. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11255-007-9256-0
8
Freitas AM, Schor N, Boim MA. The effect of Phyllanthus niruri on urinary inhibitors of calcium oxalate crystallization and other factors associated with renal stone formation. BJU Int. 2002 Jun;89(9):829-34. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1464-410x.2002.02794.x
9
Pucci ND, Marchini GS, Mazzucchi E, et al. Effect of Phyllanthus niruri on metabolic parameters of patients with kidney stone: a perspective for disease prevention. Int Braz J Urol. 2018 Jul-Aug;44(4):758-764. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1677-5538.IBJU.2017.0521
10
Bonaterra GA, Bronischewski K, Hunold P, et al. Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of Phytohustil® and root extract of Althaea officinalis L. on macrophages in vitro. Front Pharmacol. 2020 Mar 17;11:290. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.00290
11
Wang Y, Mao J, Zhang M, et al. An umbrella insight into the phytochemistry features and biological activities of corn silk: a narrative review. Molecules. 2024 Feb 18;29(4):891. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29040891
12
Heng BL, Wu FY, Tong XY, Zou GJ, Ouyang JM. Corn silk polysaccharide reduces the risk of kidney stone formation by reducing oxidative stress and inhibiting COM crystal adhesion and aggregation. ACS Omega. 2024 Apr 17;9(17):19236-19249. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.4c00110
13
Stiani SN, Syahidah FM, Fikriani H, Subarnas A, Rusdiana T. Anticalculi activity of apigenin and celery (Apium graveolens L.) extract in rats induced by ethylene glycol-ammonium chloride. J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2019 Dec;11(Suppl 4):S556-S561. https://doi.org/10.4103/jpbs.JPBS_202_19
14
McAteer JA, Evan AP. The acute and long-term adverse effects of shock wave lithotripsy. Semin Nephrol. 2008 Mar;28(2):200-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semnephrol.2008.01.003
15
Han H, Segal AM, Seifter JL, Dwyer JT. Nutritional management of kidney stones (Nephrolithiasis). Clin Nutr Res. 2015 Jul;4(3):137-152. https://doi.org/10.7762/cnr.2015.4.3.137
16
Sorensen MD. Calcium intake and urinary stone disease. Transl Androl Urol. 2014 Sep;3(3):235-40. https://doi.org/10.3978/j.issn.2223-4683.2014.06.05
17
Cupisti A, Giannese D, D’Alessandro C, et al. Kidney stone prevention: is there a role for complementary and alternative medicine? Nutrients. 2023 Feb 9;15(4):877. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15040877
18
Zhu W, Liu Y, Lan Y, et al. Dietary vinegar prevents kidney stone recurrence via epigenetic regulations. EBioMedicine. 2019 Jul;45:231-250. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebiom.2019.06.004
19
Ferraro PM, Taylor EN, Gambaro G, Curhan GC. Soda and other beverages and the risk of kidney stones. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2013 Aug;8(8):1389-95. https://doi.org/10.2215/CJN.11661112
20
Nirumand MC, Hajialyani M, Rahimi R, et al. Dietary plants for the prevention and management of kidney stones: preclinical and clinical evidence and molecular mechanisms. Int J Mol Sci. 2018; 19(3):765. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19030765
21
Zhou J, Meng L, He Z, et al. Melatonin exerts a protective effect in ameliorating nephrolithiasis via targeting AMPK/PINK1-Parkin mediated mitophagy and inhibiting ferroptosis in vivo and in vitro. Int Immunopharmacol. 2023 Nov;124(Pt A):110801. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110801
22
Zhao H, Wang Y, Guan L, Sun Y. Association between magnesium intake and chronic kidney diseases and kidney stones in adults aged 50 years and older: dose-response analysis of a nationally representative population-based study. J Ren Nutr. 2025 Mar;35(2):311-318. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jrn.2024.11.004
23
Ferraz RR, Marques NC, Froeder L, et al. Effects of Lactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium breve on urinary oxalate excretion in nephrolithiasis patients. Urol Res. 2009 Apr;37(2):95-100. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00240-009-0177-5
24
Giardina S, Scilironi C, Michelotti A, et al. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity of selected oxalate-degrading probiotic bacteria: potential applications in the prevention and treatment of hyperoxaluria. J Food Sci. 2014 Mar;79(3):M384-90. https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.12344

This article is provided by

The Institute for Natural Medicine, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. INM’s mission is to transform health care in the United States by increasing public awareness of natural medicine and access to naturopathic doctors. Naturopathic medicine, with its person-centered principles and practices, has the potential to reverse the tide of chronic illness overwhelming healthcare systems and to empower people to achieve and maintain optimal lifelong health. INM strives to fulfil this mission through the following initiatives:

Education – Reveal the unique benefits and outcomes of evidence-based natural medicine
Access – Connect patients to licensed naturopathic doctors
Research – Expand quality research on this complex and comprehensive system of medicine

Medically Reviewed By

Public

Practitioners

Partners

Top Natural Remedies for Kidney Stones

Why do kidney stones form?

What causes kidney stone pain?