Renal or kidney stones are one of the most common and distressing maladies among urinary disorders and one of the major reasons of abdominal pain in present time.
Renal or Urolithiasis means the presence of /calculus in the urinary system (kidney, ureter, bladder and urethra).
In the Sanskit language Ayurveda describes renal as Ashmari.
Ashmari (calculi) comprises of two words, i.e. ‘Ashma’ and ‘Ari.’ ‘Ashma’ means a stone and ‘Ari’ means enemy.
Ashmari (calculi), specifically called as Moothrashmari (urolithiasis), is a disease of Moothravahasrotas (urinary tract) and involves formation of a resulting in severe pain as given by an enemy.
Acharya Sushruta explains the two process of stone formation. One is by the stagnation and super saturation of the urine by crystal-forming substances — such as calcium, oxalate and uric acid — than the fluid in your urine can dilute.
At the same time, your urine may lack substances that prevent crystals from sticking together, creating an ideal environment for kidney stones to form.
Etiology or causes in Ayurveda of Renal Stones
non-adoption of Pancha-karma (five methods of purification of the body),
unhealthy diet and lifestyle,
heredity, geographical condition and dietetic factors,
metabolic instability, bladder infections, and hormonal influences.
Risk factors:
The following risk factors increase the possibility of kidney :
Obesity – High body mass index (BMI) and weight gain have a direct relationship with an increased risk of kidney .
Family history – You are more susceptible in developing kidney stones if there is a history of this malady in your family.
Dehydration – Not drinking enough water and a warm climate increase the risk of kidney stones.
Dietary factors – High protein, high sodium (salt) and high sugar in the diet may increase the risk of kidney stones.
Digestive diseases and surgery – Certain surgery such as gastric bypass surgery and chronic diarrhoea can affect the absorption of calcium and thus increase the chance of stone formation.
Other medical conditions such as renal tubular acidosis (RTA), urinary tract infections and cystinuria can increase the chance of stone formation.
Types of Renal Stones
In modern medicine classification of urinary calculi (stones) is based on its chemical constitution and their morphology, so different types of urinary calculi are described i.e. Calcium stone, Struvite stones, Uric acid stone, Cystine stone and mixed stone.
According to Ayurveda, Ashmari is of four types i.e. Vatika, Paitika, Shlaishmika and Shukraja.
The Vatika, Paitika and Shlaishmika Ashmari may be similar to calcium oxalate, uric acid and calcium phosphate stones respectively.
Signs and symptoms
severe pain in urinary bladder, scrotum and penis,
dense and turbid urine,
odour of urine similar to that of Gomed (hessonite stone),
fever, body ache, anorexia and dysuria,
Acharya Sushruta explains that pain of Ashmari is aggravated by jumping, swimming, running, riding, walking etc.
Ayurvedic management
Panchakarma
Panchakarma is an elegant cleansing process that releases stored toxins and restores the body’s innate healing ability.
Please consult with your ayurvedic doctor to get advice on planning a personalized panchakarma package that includes a series of massages, steam therapy, purgation, enemas to bladder and bowel, etc. according to your doshic imbalances.
More than 95% of renal stones can be broken up and expelled without surgery by ayurvedic remedies and therapy. Undergoing Panchakarma therapy every year helps prevent kidney stones developing.
Ayurvedic herbs and medicines
Ayurvedic treatment of renal stones includes a range of therapies that include plant-based medicine, diet and lifestyle changes.
Altering the biochemical quality of urine can help in in the treatment and prevention of Ashmari. This can be achieved by more fluid intake and diet changes. Also, in ayurveda a number of diuretic herbs are indicated that help break the stones so they are easily expelled in the urine.
In ayurvedic texts mainly three types of drugs Mutravirechaniya (diuretic) Ashmarighna Dravya (lithotriptic)and Kshara Karma (alkali therapy) are mentioned for the treatment of Renal stones.
Also, after surgery, or if you have repeated kidney stones, ayurvedic herbs and remedies can avoid the chances of recurrence.
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Treatment of Renal stones at Vibrant Ayurveda
This article provides general information about Renal Stones. It is not intended for self-diagnosis and treatment.
Before commencing any therapies or herbal remedies, we recommended you consult one of our expert ayurvedic doctors in either of our Brisbane or Gold Coast clinics. They will diagnose your specific conditions and provide a personalised program for your health and wellness.