About the best that can be said of kidney stones is that once you go through the experience, you may find yourself willing to go out of your way to make sure they do not come back again. For most people I know who have had kidney stones, one bout was enough to persuade them to start drinking herbal teas and to make some radical changes in their diets.

Half the people who get kidney stones suffer them again, along with the symptoms of sudden, sharp waves of pain, nausea and profuse sweating that accompany this problem. Severe cases are accompanied by bleeding and, if there is an infection, even fever. As with any kidney condition, you must see your physician to determine the exact cause of your symptoms and the severity of the condition.

Kidney stones are mineral deposits made up of calcium, uric acid or the amino acid cysteine. Medical experts agree, however, that diet is certainly a factor. For instance, kidney stones develop in vegetarians and other people who eat plenty of fresh vegetables only about half as often as in those whose diet does not include these important foods. Obesity and repeated kidney infections are also risk factors. Even after an infection has passed, a small amount of debris remains in the kidneys—medical researchers suspect that the stones form around this debris. You are also at greater risk of developing this problem if there is a history of kidney stones in your family.

Lemon juice reduces the size of kidney stones but most herbal remedies including those based on lemon juice and hydrangea do not actually dissolve stones. Instead, they help eliminate the stones and reduce or relieve the pain that occurs as they are eliminated. The larger the stone, the more uncomfortable this can be. Herbs that reduce infection, pain and spasms are cramp bark, goldenrod and joe-pye weed, aptly nicknamed “gravel root" for its ability to get rid of stones.

At least 75 percent of kidney stones are composed of calcium combined with phosphate or oxalic acid. Medical experts believe that these stones result from an accumulation of unused calcium, and lack of exercise is generally thought to be a factor. A study conducted in 1973 showed that cranberries help prevent stones in some people by reducing the excessive amounts of calcium commonly found in the urinary tract. There is some scientific evidence that this may also be true of rose hips, which have traditionally been used to ease various urinary tract infections. Since the calcium-phosphate stones are most common in alkaline urine, cranberries and other herbs that acidify urine also help prevent stones.

Bacteria and the alkaline urine they produce increase levels of the enzyme urease that contributes to kidney stones. Studies on rosemary conducted in Paraguay, where this herb is an important folk medicine, showed that it almost completely inhibits urease. Uric acid stones are found in urine that is too acidic. If you get this type of stone, eat cherries, strawberries, apple juice, asparagus and nettles to make your urine more alkaline. Also consider changing your diet. One thing that can cause overly acidic urine is an overabundance of protein. The herbs meadowsweet, sarsaparilla, joe-pye weed and plantain help rid the kidneys of excess uric acid. This use for meadowsweet was acknowledged in a French medical journal in 1942.

Add hydrangea, wild yam and cramp bark to water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then turn down heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, add other herbs, cover pan and steep for at least 20 minutes. Strain and keep refrigerated. Drink 3 to 4 cups daily. If bleeding occurs, add 30 drops shepherd’s purse tincture to each cup of tea. A tea is especially appropriate when treating a kidney infection because you should already be drinking plenty of water to keep kidneys flushed and helps prevent the stones from forming. For convenience, you can also take this formula as a tincture; take 2 to 3 dropperfuls a day.