A principal function of the kidneys is to remove waste and fluid from the blood. If too much waste accumulates in the kidneys, hard deposits are formed. These hard deposits consist of salt and minerals that clump together to form kidney stones. If your fluid intake is poor, you’ll likely have higher levels of minerals, which may contribute to stones forming in the kidneys.
Kidney stones aren’t harmful in themselves. They, however, become problematic when they obstruct urine from flowing within the urinary tract. Some kidney stones remain ‘silent stones’, because they don’t affect the normal function of the kidneys, nor cause pain.
Why Essential Oils Are Good For Kidney Stones
There are no essential oils to ‘cure’ or ‘treat’ nephrolithiasis (kidney stones). A rule of thumb is to start a proper system to intake more fluid and avoid foods high in oxalate. It’s unreasonable to expect a cure from using essential oils; however, essential oils do help provide symptomatic relief from nephrolithiasis.
Once kidney stones begin to obstruct urine as they locomote, you’ll feel intense pain. Using essential oils for this reason can provide significant relief against discomfort and inflammation. As essential oils also play on one’s emotions, especially when inhaled, you may be energized to deal with kidney associated pains.
6 Best Essential Oils For Kidney Stones
Carrot Seed Essential Oil (Daucus carota)
The seed of carrot was thought to have been used in traditional medicine for kidney complications and urine retention. The juice of carrot is said to have diuretic properties, and may promote the flow of urine. However, the same cannot be said for the carrot seed oil, especially since it’s not encouraged to ingest essential oils.
While that’s the case, carrot seed may be used to soothe colic that may result from kidney stones. Use 3 drops of carrot seed in a teaspoon of base oil for a warming massage rub at the abdomen.
Best for: Abdominal or colic pain
Bonus: Try adding carrot juice to your diet. This will increase your fluid intake and help to prevent more stones from developing.
Black Pepper Essential Oil (Piper nigrum)
Kidney stones eventually move within the kidneys. Some stones may pass through without obstruction, but others might lodge in the ureter. This lodgement causes urine to backup, which might cause extreme pain in the sides or lower back.
As a mild analgesic, black pepper can be used to provide comfort in what may amount to an excruciatingly painful situation.
Combine 10 drops of black pepper with 1 tablespoon of base oil and use in a hot compress for a warming effect. Add the oil mixture to a container of hot water and immerse a washcloth. Allow the contents of the container to absorb into the washcloth. Hold the compress at the inflamed area until it reaches body temperature.
Best for: pain in the lower back region and sidesÂ
Peppermint Essential Oil (Mentha piperita)
Kidney stones might cause nausea and vomiting. Constituents of peppermint produces an action that calms vomiting and nauseous feelings. While peppermint may help quiet uneasiness, a rule of thumb is to contact your doctor should things get out of control. The bigger the kidney stone(s), the sicker you’ll feel.
To calm nausea, add about 2 to 3 drops to a cloth or handkerchief and take a few whiffs. An alternative is to diffuse peppermint using an oil burner, diffuser, or vaporizer by adding 3 drops.
Best for: nausea and vomiting
Lavender Essential Oil (Lavandula Angustifolia)
A controlled study revealed that lavender proved effective as a pain reliever, especially for females with renal colic. Renal colic is the sort of pain encountered when kidney stones enlarge and block sections of your urinary tract. The findings are suggestive that alongside conventional medications, lavender may be used to enhance efficacy.
Add 5 drops of lavender to a 15 ml ointment base and apply to the inflamed area. As lavender is often used in ‘neat’ applications, you may choose to apply directly to the area without a diluent. This, however, depends on your skin’s sensitivity.
Best for: renal colic
Rose Essential Oil ( Rosa centifolia)
Rose is also an effective agent against renal colic. The soothing oil makes for a forceful muscle relaxant and has shown tremendous results against renal colic due to renal stones. A study of the extract’s therapeutic ability showed that it, like lavender, can be used alongside conventional treatments.
An added bonus of using rose is its ability to improve your well-being by imparting vitality. You’ll need all the strength you can muster up when dealing with kidney stones. To use, diffuse 3 drops in a diffuser to improve your energy. For renal colic, add 6 drops in a teaspoon of milk and use as a bath oil.
Best for: renal colic
Lovage Leaf Essential Oil (Levisticum officinale)
Lovage herb has a long history as a diuretic in traditional medicine. It’s said that lovage herb is still used as a main ingredient in a lot of diuretic tea mixtures to treat kidney stones. It’s not recommended to use lovage oil internally, but it can be assimilated into the body through topical applications.
Use lovage to aid in toxin removal by adding 3 drops to a tablespoon of base oil and add to an average-sized bath. Sit for about 10 minutes and allow the oil to absorb into the skin.
Best for: removal of toxins from the body
Bonus: Use the lovage herb to make an invigorating tea to increase the flow of urine.
3 Best Essential Oils For Kidney Stones Recipes
Warming Compress Blend For Localized Pain
A compress, especially a hot one, can do a world of good for inflammation. The essential oils chosen for this blend are warming and therapeutic. They create a warming effect that soothes localized pain associated with kidney stones. For this compress you’ll need:
- 3 drops black pepper
- 2 drops ginger
- 2 drops lavender
- 1 drop allspice
- 10 ml sesame base oil
In a bowl of hot water, add the recommended essential oils and base oil.
Submerge a clean washcloth into the bowl. Allow the washcloth to absorb the oils and then squeeze to remove excess water.
Place the compress at the affected area and hold for a few minutes. Repeat about 3 times.
Soothing Massage Oil Blend For Renal Colic
A therapeutic massage can help to relieve pain caused by kidney stones. The oils in this blend put you in a deep state of relaxation as it works to calm localized pain. The addition of peppermint also creates a cooling action that creates a numbing effect against inflammation. To make this blend you’ll need:
- 5 drops rose
- 2 drops lavender
- 1 drop juniper
- 4 drops peppermint
- 30 ml almond base oil
Add the essential oils in a container. Follow up immediately with your base oil. Transfer the contents of the container to a euro-dropper or dark, glass bottle with a seal.
Allow the mixture to sit for a few minutes to blend the oils together. Add a few drops of the blend to your palm and massage at the area.
Detoxifying Bath Blend For Toxin Accumulation and Removal
The accumulation of toxin in the body can encourage the clumping together of minerals and salt. Some essential oils can be used to help eliminate them by increasing the flow of urine. This detoxifying blend can help eliminate unwanted toxins that could later obstruct normal kidney function. To make this blend you’ll need:
- 3 drops carrot seed oil
- 3 drops lovage
- 1 tablespoon of milk
- 1 drop juniper
Add the suggested essential oils and milk in a normal-sized bath. Use your hand in a back and forth motion to spread the oil throughout the bath.
Get in and allow the oils to absorb into the skin for at least 15 minutes.
To Summarize
- Kidney stones are hard deposits that form when waste such as minerals and salt clump together. A variety of factors, including low fluid intake and diet, may contribute to the formation of kidney stones.
- Essential oils do not provide a cure for hard deposits in the kidneys. However, it does provide symptomatic relief.
- Because of the concentrated nature of essential oils, ingestion is not recommended. This means that many oils acting as diuretics may not realise its full potential when applied topically, although is absorbed into the skin.
- Essential oils such as carrot seed, black pepper, peppermint, lavender, rose, and lovage may be used to treat symptoms of kidney stones.
Read more:
