7 Best Herbs For Natural Kidney Cleansing
Kidney Cleansing.
Your kidneys perform many important functions. If you don’t keep them healthy, you may suffer from dangerous diseases such as kidney failure or kidney cancer. The main and best-known function of the kidneys is to filter blood and excrete liquid waste. But they do much more than that.
The kidneys help control your blood pressure because they need an optimal pressure level to do their job. This means that the kidneys are able to raise or lower blood pressure as needed, through a hormone called renin that constricts blood vessels.
The kidneys have purification as their prime directive, and therefore do not need external help with detoxification. That said, there are ways to take the pressure off your kidneys so they can do their best work.
The most important is to eat plenty of healthy foods and stay well hydrated. Then there are some herbs that kidneys love. Wait until you see number 5 – it’s surprisingly easy to get, but you’ve probably never thought to use it before!
1. Garlic
Garlic has a protective effect on your kidneys and other organs. Regular consumption has been found to reduce lead and cadmium levels in the kidneys, heart, liver, spleen, and bloodstream. Garlic also has diuretic properties that help you eliminate excess sodium from your body.
And that’s not all, allicin, the active ingredient in garlic, has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. This means it can greatly help your kidneys cleanse and filter the blood of harmful invaders.
2. Turmeric
Fans of Asian cuisine are familiar with turmeric, which is the herb that gives curry its distinctive flavor and color. The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, which is known to reduce the effect of inflammatory molecules and enzymes that trigger chronic kidney disease. Curcumin actually inhibits the growth and spread of all kinds of microbes, thus relieving your kidneys.
A word of caution is in order for people who already have kidney disease. Turmeric contains a significant amount of potassium, which normally works in partnership with sodium to regulate fluid levels in the body. Kidney disease prevents the kidneys from maintaining potassium balance, so sufferers are often asked to limit their intake.
3. Ginger
Long used in holistic medicine, ginger contains a compound called gingerol that is known to inhibit the spread of bacteria. This can be helpful for overworked kidneys and the liver. Gingerol is also an effective way to support healthy digestion and reduces inflammation and pain throughout the body.
Chronic high blood sugar has a detrimental effect on the kidneys, and some studies suggest that ginger powder can help control it. For this reason, regular consumption of ginger is thought to reduce the incidence of kidney complications in people with diabetes. In healthy people, ginger may even prevent the development of diabetes.
4. Cranberry
Cranberries are a great fruit to add to most diets, even to a low-potassium kidney diet. They are recommended for people with bladder infections because cranberries contain a type of phytonutrient called proanthocyanidin type A, which prevents bacteria from adhering to the lining of your urinary tract and kidneys.
People with kidney disease have a higher incidence of urinary tract infections, and cranberries are a useful addition to their daily diet because they are also low in sodium, phosphorus, and, of course, potassium.
Regular consumption of cranberries, whether you have kidney disease or not, can prevent urinary tract and bladder infections. Enjoy them whole, dried, or in juice.
5. Dandelion Root
Dandelions can drive you crazy when they invade your lawn, but these “weeds” actually have many benefits. Dandelion root is a diuretic that can help cleanse both your kidneys and your liver. It has been used to treat jaundice, acne, anemia as well as kidney and liver disorders. Dandelion root is also excellent for preventing urinary tract irritation.
To consume dandelion root, most people make tea with crushed roots. Simmer them gently in water for about 15 minutes, then strain and drink. You can also eat the dandelion leaves raw or cooked. Since dandelions grow almost everywhere at a very fast rate, during the summer months you can get them for free, right in your own garden.
6. Parsley
Don’t forget the garnish! It may seem unnecessary to end a meal with a sprinkling of parsley, but this little bit of herb actually helps reduce the buildup of toxins in your kidneys. Parsley contains compounds called apiol and myristicin, which are natural diuretics. You can also take parsley to fight urinary tract infections and kidney stones.
However, parsley is not recommended for people with diabetes because it can lower blood sugar levels. In conjunction with medication prescribed by a physician, parsley may lower it too much. Parsley may also aggravate existing kidney disease. It is best to talk to your doctor if you are considering starting a regular parsley diet.
7. Celery Root
Celery root contains both potassium and sodium, so it gives the kidneys what they need to do their job. It also contains a lot of water and increases urine flow, allowing your body to flush out residual toxins. Consumption of celery root is thought to prevent bacterial infections of the kidneys and urinary tract. Some studies indicate that celery may also reduce cysts in the reproductive organs.
Celery is relatively low in potassium, with even a large stalk containing only 4% of the basic RDA. However, if you have kidney disease, ask your doctor to add celery to your daily diet.
These 7 herbs can do great things for your kidneys if you incorporate them into your daily diet before you develop kidney disease or diabetes. This is one of the simplest and most effective preventive measures for maintaining the health of these vital organs.
These herbs work so well that once a person has developed kidney disease, they should avoid them because they increase the performance of medications significantly and often unpredictably. (The amount of food you eat and the varying levels of certain minerals in the herbs make the use of herbs less measurable than the precise dosage of drugs.)
From spicy garlic and turmeric to bitter dandelion, tart cranberries, and bland celery, there is an herbal solution to suit the tastes of anyone looking to maintain kidney health.