Does Chanca Piedra (South American herb) actually work to get rid of kidney stones?

Internet testimonials | 22 November 2021 | Mene Mene Tekel Upharsin

[Michigan Bowhunter]

Yes. Bought mine from Amazon. Passed a stone about the size of a grain of sand...which felt like it was the size of a knitting needle...
The tea does something to take the sharp edges off the stones if they are small and helps to dissolve some of the larger ones as well.

Good stuff. In fact I would suggest plenty of water, lemons, and cranberry with vodka to kill the pain when necessary.

[S.O.S121.500]

From:
https://www.rain-tree.com/index.html

Kidney Stones:
chanca piedra, amargo, abuta, boldo, kalanchoe, bitter melon, curare, avenca, cipo cabeludo, erva tostao, gervao, pata de vaca

Much info at https://www.rain-tree.com

[Ellendra]

I don’t have experience with kidney stones, but I recently succeeded in getting rid of gallstones using malic acid, so I see no reason to think there isn’t a similar remedy for kidney stones. Some quick checking showed the potential side-effects of chanca piedra *should* be manageable, so as long as your friend doesn’t have other serious medical issues it’s probably worth trying.

If it doesn’t work, another non-invasive option would be to find a doctor who can use ultrasound to shatter the stones.

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

I’m a urologist. There is no dietary supplement or medication that can “dissolve” a calcium stone. They will either stay in the kidney, pass (with considerable pain), be removed intact or fragmented. Uric acid stones can be dissolved in some cases by making the urine more alkaline (usually with a citrate compound such as potassium citrate). Stone prevention is important and the mainstays of prevention are increased water intake and limiting sodium. There are other measures that can help, depending on the type of stone. Often, evaluation with a 24-hour urine panel can point to specific treatment with dietary measures or medications. Cranberry juice is not helpful and could make matters worse because it makes urine more acidic. Apple cider vinegar won’t help at all.

Thank you very much for the reply. I'll tell my friend.

[xenia]

This is what has worked for my husband. He has had two bouts of stones where they needed to be broken up. I noticed that the last episode was preceded by heavy sweating during a hot spell which probably caused dehydration. We also noted that our well water is high in calcium.

I bought a counter top distiller. We only drink distilled water now and have been doing that for 5 years. I also make sure he’s drinking enough water especially in the summer.

So far, so good. My dog and cat drink the distilled water as well. Why? Neighbor’s dog had kidney stones too.

[Valpal1]

I second the magnesium citrate dissolved in hot water and an entire lime or lemon squeezed in. My evening hot toddy. Also great for muscle cramps and insomnia

My husband makes his toddy with a shot of Bragg’s cider vinegar. I can’t bear the taste, rather take vinegar capsules.

[UnwashedPeasant]

This brand is good and works well. They are not all the same. They also offer a capsule version.

[Auntie Mame]

I’ve been thinking of getting a counter-top distiller. Would you tell me the brand and where you bought it? Pros? Cons? Thanks.

[aimhigh]

Vitamin B6 (50mg) and magnesium prevents kidney stones. Do NOT take the B6 later in the day, or before bed. It will cause nightmares. A co-worker made the mistake of doubling his B6 and was awokened every two hours by nightmares.

[Rodd OB]

I have had kidney stones on and off most of my adult life. Neighbor suggested Chanca Piedra tea. I had a big stone in my kidney and my doctor thought I would need surgery. After a few months of the tea, the stone dissolved. Doctor couldn’t believe it. Now I drink the tea at half strength four days per week and take a capsule the other three days. Over 10 years stone free. Friends and neighbors, who were having stone problems, the tea worked for them.

[xenia]

I use a Megahome countertop distiller. There are some less expensive, but this distiller has paid for itself over and over since I’ve used it daily for about 5 years and is still going strong.

I bought it from Amazon.

[Auntie Mame]

Thank you!