Dear Stephen,
I keep making calcium/oxalate kidney stones. I’ve increased my calcium and magnesium, staying away from high oxalate foods and still am having recurring stones. Please help.
I keep making calcium/oxalate kidney stones. I’ve increased my calcium and magnesium, staying away from high oxalate foods and still am having recurring stones. Please help.
Stephen’s response:
You can try nettle leaf 1000 mg daily, magnesium ONLY – drop the calcium – 600 mg daily, B6 25 mg daily, vitamin k 2 mg daily, and daily consumption of a tea (at least 24 ounces per day) made from dandelion leaf, couch grass (agropyron), beggars lice (desmodium), java tea (orthosiphon), golden rod (solidago), and peppermint leaf. Mix them in equal parts (e.g. one ounce of each, two ounces of each, and so on). Add ¼ cup of the mix to a quart of hot water, cover and let steep overnight. Drink the next day. It may be hard to find some of these herbs but some Google searching can turn them up. If you can’t find all of them, use what you do find. The java tea is one of the most essential, don’t skip it.
You can try nettle leaf 1000 mg daily, magnesium ONLY – drop the calcium – 600 mg daily, B6 25 mg daily, vitamin k 2 mg daily, and daily consumption of a tea (at least 24 ounces per day) made from dandelion leaf, couch grass (agropyron), beggars lice (desmodium), java tea (orthosiphon), golden rod (solidago), and peppermint leaf. Mix them in equal parts (e.g. one ounce of each, two ounces of each, and so on). Add ¼ cup of the mix to a quart of hot water, cover and let steep overnight. Drink the next day. It may be hard to find some of these herbs but some Google searching can turn them up. If you can’t find all of them, use what you do find. The java tea is one of the most essential, don’t skip it.
Stephen
I have a fair amount of personal experience with Lyme disease and kidney health issues. I would like to provide some further insights on this issue because I honestly would like to spare others much of the hardship I experienced in order to gain this information. Stephen Buhner’s advice seems quite good. I do believe that there are a few important qualifications and some additional information that can be important and useful here, however.
There are at least three different types of kidney stones. The most common are oxalate stones. However, it is also possible for stones to be formed from uric acid or struvite, though these are less common. Reducing oxalates may reduce the incidences of oxalate stones, but logically this will do little to nothing to reduce other types of stones. So if you are having serious recurrent kidney stone problems it may behoove you to find out what type of stones you are dealing with.
One theory as to the cause of kidney stones is urine that is too acidic. There is a logic to this. And, it seems that improving the PH of urine does help a great deal for many people. Some of the common kidney stone solutions involve apple cider vinegar or lemon juice, which could work by increasing stomach acid content, which would lead to increased sodium bicarbonate release, thus alkalinzing the urine. Whether or not this is the exact mechanism at play is speculation on my part. However, this is further backed by the fact that eating small amounts of baking soda (1/4 tspn at a time, no more than 2 tspn per day) dissolves stones for many people. Following on this theory, I believe that one possible cause of kidney stones is low stomach acid production. If you have any digestive problems it is possible that you could have low stomach acid. Some people find that supplementing with a good betaine hcl & pepsin product does wonders for improving stomach acid. This may have a secondary effect of reducing or eliminating kidney stone formation.
I would also like to note that cleansing and healing the urinary system using the herbs that Stephen recommends may be very useful for some people, but not everyone. This seems like a particularly appropriate approach if stones are the result of a urinary infection or urinary system health problems due that can be improved through the use of these herbs. However, it seems important to point out that if, in fact, the stones are the result of high oxalate content in the diet, then some of these herbs are definitely contraindicated. Nettle and dandelion both likely contain high levels of oxalates. Both are very healing plants, but may not be appropriate for all cases of kidney stones. The other herbs are not common enough to have been tested for oxalate content, so I don’t know about those.
Regarding a low-oxalate diet, most of the information available online is not reliable. It seems that the most reliable information is from the research of Susan Owen, and that can be found by subscribing to her Yahoo group called Trying Low Oxalates. A limited set of that information is available at lowoxalate.info. Oxalates are a fascinating topic. They are substances used by plants as self-defense to prevent mostly insects from eating them. However, it turns out that oxalates can attack mitochondria in much the same way as they attack insect mandibles. If eating low oxalate then it makes sense to get an up-to-date list and to also follow the instructions for supplementing with magnesium and/or calcium on the appropriate schedule. Supplementing with these minerals seems to be most effective (for reducing oxalate absorption) when taken just before meals as this seems to cause them to bind to the oxalates in the digestive system so that they are excreted.
A note about the other vitamin supplementation recommendations: vitamin k does seem to have some use here, but start with low dose and increase slowly because k can cause oxalate dumping, which is oxalates stored in tissues to move into the elimination channels (i.e. the urinary system.) Too much too quickly and the result can be a temporary worsening of symptoms. The b6 recommendation is spot on from what I’ve researched. Also, thiamin or b1 seems to be useful in some cases. I’m not sure if that would be contraindicated for any other reason, however. Perhaps Stephen can comment on that.
One more final note: I had a bout of kidney stones that was the most horrific and excruciating experience of my life, which is saying a lot considering my experiences. What finally worked for me was fresh watermelon juice. I had perhaps a gallon or two of fresh watermelon juice over the course of a day, and the pain vanished. What works for one won’t work for all. However, I share this here because if nothing else seems to be working, it’s worth consideration. Watermelon has an extremely high glycemic load, and so it is not appropriate for everyone. Diabetics and hypoglycemics should probably not use the watermelon juice approach to deal with kidney stones, for example. So use good sense and critical judgment.
Hopefully it goes without saying, but since I’ve offered a lot of advice, I will explicitly qualify it by saying that none of what I have said should be misconstrued as medical advice. I am not a medical professional, and I am sharing only information based on my research and experience. Do not do anything just because I said so.
Thanks for all the info, JOEY! and SHB, as ever : )
At least some kidney stones are associated with nanobacteria – relatively recent research (six footnotes) is summarized here in this article … http://www.drmirkin.com/morehealth/g135.htm
Thx for this wonderful response. I’ve never had a kidney stone before today. The ER was so crowded today that as soon as they diagnosed it they kicked me out with no instructions.
Yesterday I had intensely burning tears. Today I had a kidney stone. Makes me consider the possibility of high acid content.
Thx again for the response.
My husband started having one kidney stone after another. In Dr. Baulch’s book he recommends, among other things IP6 (look it up). This has been instrumental in my husband not having kidney stones. He takes two tabs every morning and sometimes in the evening also. He also takes extra zinc per Baulch’s recommendation. Also, magnesium regulates calcium in the body. Many such as Drs. Abraham, Schoeb, Sircus as well as the peoples chemist dot com, Shane Ellison say this. Taking calcium can be dangerous because of its reaction with glyphosate and the hardening of the body it causes, magnesium is what is needed. Magnesium, according to Dr. Schoeb (personal communication) takes the same receptors in the body as calcium making arteries and bones more flexible and thus stronger. Dr. Sircus says it is the strongest alkalinizer and this helps keep calcium in the bones where it belongs. Glyphosate (i.e. roundup) is known to cause kidney failure and death in agro workers (personal communication from John McCaull – a Harvard Scholar and Chemistry major). Staying away from it means buying locally grown food grown without chemicals – or grow your own food. (Searches: Abraham & iodine, Sircus & magnesium, Shane Ellison)
Maybe just be aware that desmodium has astragalin in it – not so good in chronic lyme.
Coincidence. I had one three nights ago. Third time in my life. I had learned to drink copious amounts of chamomile tea and get into a bath and practice self reflexology on kidney and bladder points. Had to skip the bath ( none in Brazil) but put warm pack over pain area, and chamomile and foot massage passed it in an hour. My lesson will be to take more water ( humidity drops below 15% in Brasilia in August) and boil down watermelon to a syrup and take a tablespoon a day, aduki beans, and stay alkaline in diet!
Ps. Maybe the nettle helps cause it supplies B6 and other B vits ?
Isn’t Japanese Knotweed high in oxalates, since it is in the buckwheat family? A tincture/extract should be okay though, I think.
I was working with Julie for Rickettsia and neuro Lyme my son for could not tolerate Kudzu. We have also consulted with Susan Owens some years ago and his symptoms on Kudzu were I’d Enti along to when we used to juice high o slate veggies such as spinach and beetroot. He was in masses of pain with Kudzu root and irritable- very unusual. I finally worked out it was due to high oxalate content. Baical skullcap is not as high but also caused problems.
Hope that helps some people
If you have lyme and co infections you are going to have kidney issues stones cysts rotting
I also have the ongoing problem with kidney stones. Recently I’ve found this explanation; that it can be bacteria provoked: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/05/060524125023.htm
What were the best herbs to use for lyme that were low in oxalates?
We are also having trouble with kidney and bladder problems. We have been on full Buhner protocol for Lyme, several co’s, EBV, and PANDAS for a couple of months. The herbs have been very helpful, but I am getting nervous that they are causing bladder and kidney problems, and stones.
Are any of these herbs high oxalate? I’m trying to research the topic and I’ve landed here. I have 5 of Stephen’s books…did he mention precautions in this area? I don’t remember reading anything.
If anyone can directly answer my questions, I’d be so appreciative. I specifically want to know if any of the herbs are high oxalate or if Stephen gave precautions for taking any of them for too long. Thank you so much!
This was so helpful. Thank you!
Are you taking capsules or tinctures? I wish we could figure out if tinctures were lower in oxalates
Edgar Cayce, The Sleeping Prophet recommended watermelon seed tea for kidney and bladder infections. U had to grind up the seeds into a powder and then use a teaspoon to make a pot of tea. I kept my grandmother healthier with it for her reoccurent infections. She hated the taste, but it’s really not that bad. I kept her out of the doctor’s office for years when we could get her to drink it. 15 years total. Now days you can’t hardly find a watermelon with seeds and seeds in the health food store come already ground and it’s best to grind when u r going to make it. Just thought I’d throw that fact in there. To read about Edgar Cayce start with Their Is A River….it is such a true story.
I have just been diagnosed with high oxalates from an OATS test. I am trying to figure out what in my diet might have made my levels soar. I drink fennel and Skullcap tea every day. I love skullcap. Fennel is high in oxalates and I now wonder about Skullcap and how much oxalate gets into the tea. I wonder if you could tell me your source that skullcap is high in oxalates? I depend upon it for bedtime calm. I have tried many herbs and it is the best for me.
PS I do not have kidney stones but I have bone spurs and body pain which can also be related to high oxalates
Thanks for info. My other big problem is I never have a bowel movement. I don’t know if my Lyme affected my nervous dumpster and nerves control mechanism that makes your bowels work. But there is a correlation between Uris and stones and constipation.I am going to see a gastro specialist. If she does not understand Lyme then i won’t go to her.
When I recently had kidney stones, my practitioner put me on a lemon cleanse for a day, and I felt so much better the next day. I juiced almost 20 lemons that morning, drank 8 oz straight before eating or drinking anything else for an hour. Then drank 1 oz lemon juice in 8 oz of water every hour for 11 doses. No meat, no dairy, no processed foods and junky fats. I ate mainly fish, cooked vegetables, and rice/quinua. In the evening I used a castor oil pack (with neem oil drops mixed into castor oil), and used my mini Earthwrappe (infrared heating pad for low emfs and other benefits). The next day, no pain, and I felt so much better. I had to take other supplements to fight it, but it significantly helped resolve the issue.
I’ve always wondered if my kidney stone issues (confirmed calcium oxalate) were related to my treatment for lyme disease (1 month of antibiotics) killing off good gut bacteria. Oxalobacter formigenes is an anaerobic bacterium responsible for degrading oxalate in our body. It has been postulated that a probiotic containing this species would be useful for preventing stone formation in those with hyperoxaluria. A Swiss company has made 2 products http://www.oxthera.com/pipeline/ but unfortunately when I requested from my urologist she laughed me out of the office and just gave me dietary restrictions. I miss my spinach and kale! I’ve started taking probiotics again and research has shown that Lactobacillus strains were more efficient than bifidobacteria in degrading oxalates.
I had three kidney stones (identified in an ultrasound scan) and was in extreme pain just a few months ago. I was advised by an Ayurvedic practitioner to use the herb Chanca Piedra, also known as Royal Break-Stone, and within a few weeks I passed the stones with only a sense of pressure just before they passed. I use Whole World Botanicals product, 3 Xs/day when feeling the need. Then, as maintenance, take one, 3 – 4 times/week. So far, no new stones!
Annie, I’m on the buhner core protocol, doing 8-10 capsules per day….did you ever figure out if those herbs, the neurocore tincture, the CSA formula are high in oxalate?