The Power of Kidney Cleanse: Detox Your Kidneys and Support Stone Removal and Deposits
The kidneys and liver are the body’s primary filtration organs, working tirelessly to purify the blood. The kidneys filter approximately 150 litres of blood daily, removing waste, toxins, and excess fluids to produce urine. Clean blood is vital for overall health, as impure or toxic blood can circulate to all organs, potentially contributing to various diseases. A kidney cleanse can enhance kidney function, improve blood purification, and help prevent or manage kidney stones—hard deposits of minerals and salts that can cause pain and impair kidney function. This article explores natural kidney cleanse methods, including a powerful three-day protocol for kidney stone removal for smaller stones, to support your body’s detoxification process.
Processed and packaged foods affect proper functioning of the kidneys due to which nephrons are unable to remove toxins from the blood properly. As the body is unable to expel them naturally, these toxins get accumulated in the kidneys.
The role of kidneys in blood purification
The kidneys filters out waste products like urea, creatinine, and excess minerals while balancing fluids and electrolytes. This process ensures that organs receive clean, oxygen-rich blood to function optimally. A kidney cleanse, through specific foods, herbs, or protocols, supports the kidneys’ natural detoxification process, promotes urine flow, and may reduce the risk of kidney stones, ultimately improving overall health.
Reasons for stone formation
Acidic foods and poor diet consisting of highly processed and packaged foods leads to stone formation. Dairy and animal food is acidic in nature and contributes to the formation of stones. Cheap calcium supplements are also responsible for stone formation. Certain medicines can also lead to kidney stone formation.
When kidneys are overburdened due to accumulation of toxins as a result of poor diet, or dehydration, their efficiency may decrease, leading to symptoms like fatigue, fluid retention, or kidney stones. Over a period of time, these toxins form tiny stones that are very difficult for the body to remove.
The majority of stones are calcium oxalate stones or have calcium as one of the components. The PH of the blood is slightly alkaline (7.4). When you consume acidic foods it tries to alter the PH of the blood from alkaline to acidic. This can be dangerous for the body. To avoid blood from becoming acidic, it leaches alkaline minerals (including calcium) from the bones into the blood. The kidneys try to to remove these extra minerals circulating in the blood which eventually results in kidney stone fromation.
A Kidney Cleanse dissolves these stones and dilates the pores so that they can easily pass out of the body. A Kidney Cleanse is also used to cleanse the kidneys from within, by removing deeply embedded toxic wastes.
The Kidney Cleanse
If the presence of gallstones in the liver, or any other situation, has led to the development of sand, grease, or stones in the kidneys or urinary bladder, you may also need to cleanse your kidneys. The kidneys are extremely delicate, blood-filtering organs that congest easily because of dehydration, poor diet, weak digestion, stress, and an irregular lifestyle.
The main causes of congestion in the kidneys are kidney stones. Most kidney grease/crystals/stones, however, are too small to be detected through modern diagnostic technology, including ultrasounds or X-rays. They are often called “silent” stones and do not seem to bother people much. When they grow larger, though, they can cause considerable distress and damage to the kidneys and the rest of the body. To prevent kidney problems and kidney-related diseases, it is best to eliminate kidney stones before they can cause a crisis.
You can easily detect the presence of sand or stones in the kidneys by pulling the skin under your eyes sideways towards the cheekbones. Any irregular bumps, protrusions, red or white pimples, or discoloration of the skin indicates the presence of kidney sand or kidney stones.
Various Kidney Cleanse methods and ingredients
Below are natural remedies, including a targeted three-day kidney stone removal protocol, to support kidney health and blood purification. There are four different ingredients that are used to do the cleanse. You may choose any one, at any given time or use them in a particular combination.
Olive oil and Lemon juice - 60 ml + 60 ml
Combine 60 ml (4 tablespoons) of extra virgin olive oil with 60 ml of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Drink it thrice a day for three days. Drink lots of water throughout the day.
OR
Fresh Parsley - 250 gms
Tea made from parsley (a leafy vegetable that looks like green coriander), should be used fresh. Rinse them in water before boiling. They should be strongly fragrant. If not, they may have lost most of their active ingredients.
OR
Fresh Corn Silk / Sundried Cornsilk - 250 gm / 50 gm
Tea made from corn silk - fresh or dried. Ideally, the corn silk should be dried in sunlight. If it is dried properly, it can be preserved for a long time. Washing the dried corn silk before use is strictly prohibited as it loses a lot of its medicinal value. Moreover, the dust and impurities in it can be removed by sedimentation process in which the corn silk is strained before use.
OR
Watermelon seeds - 200 gms
Tea made from watermelon seeds. The seeds can be black or brown in colour. These can be dried and preserved. Some provision stores that sell agricultural produce also stock watermelon seeds. Since they may have some pesticide residue, you need to wash and dry them before use. Pound them before boiling, so that the medicine from the skin and the innards gets mixed with the water. Do not grind or wash the seeds after crushing.
ABOVE FOUR PROTOCOLS EXPLAINED IN DETAIL
1. Three-Day Olive Oil and Lemon Juice Protocol ( Three days)
This popular natural remedy is designed to help pass small kidney stones (typically under 5-6 mm) and support kidney detoxification. The combination of olive oil and lemon juice helps lubricate the urinary tract and helps in eliminating stones.
How to Prepare and Follow:
Mixture: Combine 60 ml (4 tablespoons) of extra virgin cold pressed olive oil with 60 ml of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Dosage: Drink the mixture three times daily (morning, afternoon, evening/ night) for three consecutive days. Give a gap of two hours before and after food.
Hydration: Drink more water, atleast 2-3 liters daily, to promote urine flow and stone passage.
Diet: Eat a light, kidney-friendly diet (fruits like watermelon, vegetables, whole grains) and salad. You may eat normal home cooked vegetarian food. Avoid non veg, dairy, milk products, fried, packaged and processed foods. Can drink herbal tea.
How It Works
Lubrication from Olive Oil:
Olive oil is a healthy fat that may act as a lubricant in the urinary tract, potentially easing the passage of small kidney stones through the ureters to the bladder and out of the body.
Its smooth texture is believed to coat the stones, reducing friction and discomfort during passage.
Acidic Properties of Lemon Juice:
Lemon juice is rich in citric acid, which can increase urinary citrate levels. Citrate binds to calcium in the urine, reducing the formation of calcium-based kidney stones (the most common type, such as calcium oxalate stones).
The citric acid may also help break down smaller stones or prevent new ones from forming by altering the urine’s pH.
Diuretic Effect and Hydration:
The combination, along with increased water intake, promotes urine production, which helps flush out toxins, mineral deposits, and small stones from the kidneys and urinary tract.
Adequate hydration is critical to prevent stone formation and support kidney function.
Anti-inflammatory Properties:
Olive oil contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds (like oleocanthal) that may reduce inflammation in the urinary tract, potentially easing discomfort associated with kidney stones.
Potential Benefits
Kidney Stone Passage: The protocol may help pass small kidney stones (typically under 6 mm) by lubricating the urinary tract and increasing urine flow.
Prevention of New Stones: The citric acid in lemon juice may reduce the risk of new stone formation by binding calcium and inhibiting crystal growth.
Blood Purification Support: This protocol supports blood purification by enhancing kidney function and flushing out toxins. It enhances the kidneys’ ability to filter toxins from the blood, aligning with the idea that clean blood supports overall organ health.
Improved Kidney Health: The diuretic effect can flush out debris and reduce the buildup of minerals that contribute to stones, supporting long-term kidney function.
Natural and Accessible: The ingredients are widely available, inexpensive, and natural, making this a popular home remedy.
2. Kidney Cleanse with parsley tea (Two days)
Parsley is a potent diuretic herb rich in antioxidants, which increases urine production and reduces inflammation.
How to Prepare:
You will need 250 gms of parsley leaves without roots
Boil 250 gms of fresh parsley leaves in approximately 700 ml water for 5 minutes. Strain this water by decantation and again add 700 ml water to the leftover leaves. Strain and repeat this for a third time. Strain and let it cool.
You will have approximately 2 litres of parsley tea water ( 8 glasses) which you have to consume in two days. Drink plenty of water. Its most effective when you give a gap of two hours before and after food.
Benefits: Parsley tea promotes detoxification, reduces water retention, and may help dissolve small small particles deposited in the neprons, supporting cleaner blood circulation. You will experience increased energy levels after the cleanse
3. Cornsilk tea ( Two days)
Cornsilk, the fine threads from corn cobs, is a traditional remedy for urinary tract and kidney health.
How to Prepare:
You will need 50 gms of dried cornsilk or 250 gms of fresh cornsilk
Boil 50 gms / 250 gms of cornsilk in approximately 700 ml water for 5 minutes. Strain this water by decantation and again add 700 ml water to the leftover leaves. Strain and repeat this for a third time. Strain and let it cool.
You will have 2 litres of cornsilk tea water ( 8 glasses) which you have to consume in two days. Drink plenty of water. Its most effective when you give a gap of two hours before and after food.
Benefits: Cornsilk’s diuretic properties promote urine flow, reduces urinary tract irritation, and helps prevent kidney stone formation.
4. Watermelon seed tea (Two days)
Watermelon seeds are rich in minerals and act as a mild diuretic to support kidney function.
How to prepare:
Crush 200 gms of pesticide free organic watermelon seeds.
Boil these crushed seeds in approximately 500 ml water for 5 minutes. Strain this water by decantation and again add 500 ml water to the leftover seeds. Strain and repeat this for a third time. Strain and let it cool.
Your watermelon seed tea is ready. Drink a few glasses everyday. Its most effective when you give a gap of two hours before and after food. Drink plenty of water.
Benefits: This tea improves urine flow, supports detoxification, and may help break down small kidney stones.
Advanced Kidney Cleanse protocol - Integration of various Kidney Cleanse methods ( Five days)
To maximise benefits, this protocol can complement and combine all the kidney cleanse remedies in a single structured cleanse:
Days 1-3: Follow the olive oil and lemon juice protocol (three times daily). Drink parsley tea between olive oil-lemon juice doses to enhance diuretic effects and to flush the kidneys.
Days 4-5: Drink cornsilk tea or watermelon seed tea as a follow up on the fourth and fifth day to maintain kidney health and soothe the urinary tract.
Ongoing: Stay hydrated (2-3 liters of water daily) and follow a kidney-friendly diet to prevent stone recurrence and support blood purification.
How Kidney Cleanse improves health
A kidney cleanse, offers several benefits:
Enhanced Blood Filtration: Increased urine production helps kidneys remove toxins efficiently, ensuring cleaner blood reaches vital organs.
Kidney Stone Management: The diuretic effects and citric acid help flush out or dissolve small stones and prevent new ones, reducing discomfort and risks.
Reduced Inflammation: Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in these remedies may soothe the urinary tract and kidneys.
Overall Health Improvement: Cleaner blood reduces the burden on organs, potentially alleviating symptoms like fatigue, skin issues, or digestive problems linked to toxin buildup.
Conclusion
The three-day olive oil and lemon juice protocol is a natural remedy that may aid in passing SMALL kidney stones and supporting kidney health as part of a broader cleanse. Combined with adequate hydration and complementary remedies like parsley, cornsilk, or watermelon seed tea, this protocol can enhance the kidneys’ ability to filter blood, can support detoxification, promote stone passage, reduce toxin buildup, enhance kidney function and promote overall health.. By nurturing these vital organs, you reduce the risk of kidney stones and ensure cleaner blood.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What would be the colour of the kidney tea prepared with parsley or cornsilk or watermelon seeds
Dark brown, Light Brown or Brownish Green
Which is the best ingredient for doing the cleanse?
Some people get better results with corn silk, while others with parsley or watermelon seeds. I have found concentrated corn silk tea to be the best for myself. Olive oil and lemon juice is very effective for smaller stones. Some people have reported that swelling in the legs/water retention was reduced after drinking parsley tea. Some have even reported good results with watermelon seeds without the skins, which are available at most grocery stores. However, everyone gets some results using any of the four ingredients.
Is parsley same as corriander
No. Parsley and corriander are two different herbs.
Can you explain the procedure of making tea in a simplified manner
To make concentrated tea, fill the vessel/pot with just enough water to cover the ingredients and boil any one of the three ingredients of your choice for 5 minutes. Strain the water and keep it aside. Boil the leftover ingredient again with fresh water for 5 minutes. Strain it and add it to the water kept aside in the previous step. Follow this procedure one more time. The brownish colour indicates that the ingredient has no more medicine left in it.
Let the strained mixture stand for a few minutes so that any sediment present sinks to the bottom of the vessel. Carefully, without any sudden movement, pour the upper layer of the mixture into another vessel, until the sediment at the bottom starts flowing. Stop and discard this sediment. This procedure, known as decantation, can be used to separate fine residue from the mixture. Cool the strained mixture. The medicine is now ready for use.
How much kidney cleanse tea should I drink everyday?
Observe the results yourself and decide whether to increase or decrease the dosages for subsequent use. You may decide the most appropriate quantity and frequency for yourself, though the highest dosage and frequency (the maximum quantity that you can tolerate) is recommended. Taking concentrated medicine in larger quantities yields quicker and better results as the medicine reaches deeper into the affected organ. If nausea or any other undesirable symptom, such as stomach pain, occur, then reduce the dosage.
Drink one glass ( 250 ml) of this mixture 3-4 times or more during the day. The mixture has to be stored in a refrigerator during summers to prevent it from going rancid. It can be stored in the refrigerator for a maximum of two days. If refrigerated, it may coagulate (thicken) slightly but its medicinal properties are not affected. If you cannot drink the cold liquid, then you may warm it to your taste. Warming does not affect its medicinal properties.
What Results Should I Expect?
When toxins are accumulated in the body and the kidneys cannot filter them out, they are circulated in the blood stream. To reduce the ill-effects of these toxins, the body tends to keep them in a diluted form, thereby retaining more water. When the level of water in the blood stream increases, it causes a condition known as edema. This results in increased body weight, and swollen face and ankles. During a Kidney Cleanse, the extra water retained in the blood stream is also released. Expect an increase in urination as a result of the cleanse.
During the course of treatment, nearly 1% of patients feel nauseous and nearly 3% experience mild stomach pain. However, these conditions are not severe and are caused due to the hyperactivity of nephrons during the cleansing process. The pain subsides on its own in 1-2 hours and does not require any treatment.
What are the benefits of doing the cleanse
Removal of deposited particles and kidney stones
Glowing face
better skin tone
reduced dark circles below the eyes
higher energy levels
improved haemoglobin levels
Improved sleep quality
Regulated blood pressure (marginally high or low BP are controlled without medication)
Relief from backache and body pain
Improvement in Pre-Menstrual Symptoms (PMS) and gynaecological issues
prostrate relief
Can I use all the ingredients, i.e., corn silk, parsley and watermelon seeds together?
They are to be taken only one at a time. Any one of them is good enough for the treatment at any given time. You may try another option after a few days.
What is Advanced Kidney Cleanse Protocol - Integration of various Kidney Cleanse Methods
To maximise benefits, this protocol can complement and combine all the kidney cleanse remedies in a structured cleanse as mentioned above.
I am not able to find corn silk in sufficient quantity in the market due to the off season. My stored corn silk has developed a fungus. Can I still use this contaminated corn silk?
The medicinal properties of this fungus affected dried corn silk do not change. It can be used just as well, with the same results as fresh or dried corn silk. Keep the corn silk under the sun for a few hours. Then follow the procedure as outlined for the preparation process. If the corn silk has been stored without drying or under wet conditions and has turned black, then it should not be used. You should keep the corn silk under the sun occasionally, so that it remains good for later use.
I cannot find watermelon seeds. Can I replace it with muskmelon seeds?
Their properties are totally different. Only watermelon seeds with their skin intact have kidney cleansing properties and not muskmelon seeds.
What diet should I follow for Kidney Cleanse?
Just stick to your regular diet and drink Kidney Cleanse tea as much as possible during the cleanse. However, refrain from consuming food that is hard to digest, during the cleansing process.
What is the best time to do a Kidney Cleanse?
Kidneys functions more efficiently when the stomach is empty and the body is most relaxed in a lying down position, after midnight. I keep a litre of corn silk tea near my bedside at night. If I happen to wake up between 2-4 am, or first thing in the morning, I drink it. This dose is in addition to my regular dosage during the day.
I got tremendous benefit after doing a Kidney Cleanse but after one week, I am facing the same old problems.
Sometimes, old problems manifest again, but if you monitor their frequency and intensity, they occur at much lower levels after the cleansing. Secondly, you are continuing to live in the same polluted environment and eating the same food, hence, this manifestation is expected. Do the cleanse again and your health will improve. You will notice instant improvement in backache, headache, general freshness level and quality of sleep. Additionally make necessary changes to your diet and lifestyle to prevent deposit formation.
After following your therapy, why do I experience increased bleeding during menstruation?
This may happen to a few women and is a good sign. You must have felt better in your pre-menstrual symptoms and may have experienced much less abdominal pain. As soon as the toxins accumulated in your body are expelled, your condition will improve and you will feel better in a day or two.
How much corn silk tea can be used for a Kidney Cleanse?
You can have as much corn silk tea as you like. Some people get results in a single glass, while others respond better with six glasses of the concentrated tea. Excess dosage does not harm.
Please note that in a Kidney Cleanse, the quantity of tea is not relevant. What actually matters is the concentration of medicine in the tea after the corn silk is boiled. That is why I recommend boiling the corn silk three times. I ascertain that everybody will get good results after the Kidney Cleanse. However, if you feel that the cleanse has not given the desired results, don't suspect the efficacy of Kidney Cleanse, rather, check the quality and quantity of ingredients as well as the procedure followed.
How long should I boil the water for a Kidney Cleanse?
Boiling begins when the water temperature reaches 100o C. At that temperature, the best medicine is extracted from the corn silk. Boiling it for 5 - 10 minutes each time is fine.
What should I eat during a Kidney Cleanse?
Avoid non veg, dairy products, processed, packaged and fried foods during the cleanse. Kidney cleanse tea and vegetable juices are most effective when consumed on an empty stomach.
Can Kidney Cleanse be started on an empty stomach?
A few doses on an empty stomach will definitely improve the quality of the cleanse. If the medicine is taken on an empty stomach, its absorption in the blood stream will be much better.
What is the definition of “empty stomach”?
Empty stomach is a state when the system has digested nearly all the ingested food. In the morning, the stomach is empty because every thing has been digested during the night. If the breakfast consists of only fruits, then it is completely digested in 45 minutes. So, you have an empty stomach after 45 minutes. On the other hand, if you eat simple vegetarian food two
hours gap is fine. Fried mutton or deep fried paneer takes around 6- 8 hours or more to get digested, in which case you have an empty stomach after that period.
Can I have corn silk tea just before sleeping?
Yes, there is no harm in having it just before sleeping. However, keep in mind that you may have to get up in the night to pass urine once or twice.
Can we add some salt to the tea to make it taste better?
Avoid adding anything to the tea.
Can we eat the leftover parsley after making the tea?
You can use the residual remains by grinding and filling it in chapatis. However, it has no nutritional value left as all the nutrients have already been extracted in the tea.
Can the corn silk tea be warmed again after refrigeration?
Yes, it can be warmed. Temperature does not affect medicinal properties of the tea. However, it should not be refrigerated for more than two days.
Can pregnant women do a Kidney Cleanse?
Yes, they can start with half of the regular dosage. Breast feeding mothers can do it with regular doses.
Is There a Way to Stop Kidney Stone Formation
Yes. Change your Diet and Lifestyle and consume more of alkaline foods. Eat more fruits. Drink plenty of water.
I am suffering from calcium deficiency. Can use of calcium supplements during Kidney Cleanse help me?
As a naturopath, I believe that for calcium deficiency, the patient should not be given supplements as these supplements are not absorbed by the deficient body. Rather, efforts should be directed towards improving absorption of calcium in the body by eating calcium rich foods. Consuming calcium supplements may also lead to kidney stone formation.
Important: Support the kidneys during the cleanse by drinking extra amounts of water, a minimum of six and a maximum of ten glasses per day, unless the color of the urine is dark yellow (in which case you will need to drink more than that amount).
During the cleanse, try to avoid consuming animal products, including meat, dairy foods (except butter), fish, eggs, tea, coffee, alcohol, carbonated beverages, chocolate, and any other foods or drinks that contain preservatives, artificial sweeteners, coloring agents, and the like. In addition to drinking this kidney tea each day, if convenient, you may also chew on a small piece of rind from an organic lemon on the left side of your mouth and a small piece of carrot on the right side of your mouth 30 to 40 times each. This stimulates kidney functions. Be sure to allow at least half an hour between chewing cycles.
In addition, those suffering from large kidney stones may benefit from drinking the juice of one to two lemons (diluted with water) per day for about fifteen days.
Repeat this procedure every month till you are free of stones. If you experience discomfort or stiffness in the area of the lower back, this is because mineral crystals from kidney stones are passing through the ureter ducts of the urinary system. Any strong smell and darkening of the urine at the beginning of or during the kidney cleanse indicates a major release of toxins from the kidneys. Normally, though, the release is gradual and does not significantly change the color or texture of the urine. Important: Support the kidneys during the cleanse by drinking extra amounts of water, a minimum of six and a maximum of eight glasses per day, unless the color of the urine is dark yellow (in which case you will need to drink more than that amount).
Precautions: Consult a healthcare provider before starting, especially if you have kidney disease, or digestive issues.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare provider before attempting any kidney cleanse or stone removal protocol.
Refrences:
Cure Yourself - by Dr Piyush Saxena