The Effectiveness of Various Herbal Kidney Medications

Abstract

Over the past few months I have carried out an investigation into the effectiveness of various herbal kidney stone medications. I hypothesized that I would be able to find the most effective treatment by qualitatively and quantitatively evaluating the effect of each on the formation of Calcium Oxalate crystals, using strict controls. If it is found from further research that any of these herbal medications are effective in removing or reducing the severity of kidney stones, they could be of great use to physicians or patients wishing to utilize more natural treatment, as an alternative to more traditional medication. I investigated the several different ways the medications could be effective. It is possible that the compounds in the medications prevented the formation of the calcium oxalate crystals of which kidney stones are comprised. Previously formed crystals could also have been broken up with the introduction of the medication. Another effect, possibly a combination of the first two options, is that the medication caused the calcium oxalate to form in smaller crystals, making the passing of kidney stones a much easier ordeal than without the medication.