Best Herbs and Foods for A Kidney Cleanse

Discourage kidney stones from forming and keep kidneys functioning at their optimum level with an all-natural kidney cleanse. This post from Collective Evolution presents an easy-to-follow guide for a DIY kidney cleanse.

Kidney cleanses have been used in traditional medicine to rid the kidneys of calcium deposits for hundreds of years. Such calcium accumulations can result in kidney stones, which are often excruciating to pass.

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The kidneys are intensely fragile organs which filter the blood 24 hours a day throughout the body’s lifetime. Consuming the best herbs, fruits, and vegetables for kidney health will work to keep your kidneys functioning at their best.

To learn exactly how to do a kidney cleanse properly, safely, and effectively, continue on to this easy-to-follow guide:

The Best Herbs For A Kidney Cleanse

The three best herbs for a kidney cleanse are: stinging nettle, burdock, and rehmannia.

1. Stinging nettle

Stinging nettle was used in medieval Europe as a diuretic, as well as to treat joint pain. Today, it is used to treat urinary tract infections and hay fever (allergic rhinitis), or in compresses or creams for treating joint pain, sprains and strains, tendonitis, and insect bites.

Significantly high in vitamin C, this herb has the ability to start filtering out additional fluids through the kidneys. You should consume three glasses of nettle tea a day.

2. Burdock root

Burdock root is rich in nutrients like synanthrin, fibrin, protein, calcium, phosphorus, fiber, amino acids, and carotene. This herb can be used to detoxify the blood and promote blood circulation as well as suppress the production of immune complexes in order to lessen their damage to the kidneys.

If you suffer from fluid retention, mixing in burdock root will serve you well, as it is a natural diuretic that can help you to naturally and easily remove waste from the blood and body.

3. Rehmannia root 

This herb works to expel blood impediments, replenish bone marrow, and promote growth of muscles and flesh. Traditional Chinese Medicine believes the unprocessed or raw rehmannia root is best for reducing heat in the blood, promoting the production of body fluid, and nourishing yin, whereas processed rehmannia is used to treat blood deficiency. Rehmannia root is sold in capsules, tablets, dried extracts, and powder.

The Best Foods For A Kidney Cleanse

Because the kidneys work to detoxify the body, ridding it of certain toxins and balancing out fluids, it is important to consume foods that are nutrient-dense, like high-antioxidant foods packed with electrolytes.

Here is a breakdown of the foods that are well-suited for keeping the kidneys clean (all preferably organic):

1. Cranberries

Very low in sugar, cranberries are excellent sources of Vitamin C, antioxidants, and fiber. They also work to prevent ulcers and bacteria from developing, and can also battle current ulcers bacteria in both the kidneys and the digestive tract.

Cranberries are also proven to prevent and treat UTIs, with one study finding that, when women drank 1.7 ounces of cranberry-lingonberry juice concentrate every day for six months, they lowered their risk of getting a UTI by 20 percent compared to women who didn’t use any intervention.

2. Celery

It is suggested that, if you do a kidney cleanse, you supplement your consumption of cranberry juice with celery juice. Celery is rich in vitamin A and C, which research has found to prevent UTIs.

3. Berries like Blueberries & Cherries

These two berries contain resveratrol, a type of antioxidant that works to eliminate euric acid. It’s one of the best compounds for kidney health, as it’s been shown to hinder the progression of polycystic kidney disease and heal chronic kidney disease.

4. Beets

You’ll also want to ensure that, if you are doing a kidney cleanse, you add in foods that support the kidneys and adrenals, and promote circulation throughout the body. Beets are perfect for this, as they are rich in nitric oxide, which is vital for kidney function. In fact, research has found that decreased production of NO2 can contribute to kidney damage. Over-consuming beets may work against you however, as they contain oxalate, which can contribute to kidney stones, particularly if you are already prone to them.

5. Seaweed

One of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet, seaweed is high in iodine, calcium, magnesium, iron, vitamins C and A, protein, Vitamin B, fiber and, alpha linoleic acid, EPA, and so much more. Adding a tablespoon of spirulina or chlorella to a smoothie in the morning will help you to cleanse your kidneys, as they have been shown to detox heavy metals from the body. 

6. Lemon water

Squeezing fresh lemon juice into some water and drinking first thing in the morning is a great way to to contribute to a kidney cleanse as it aids in digestion and detoxification. An 11-patient study conducted at Duke University Comprehensive Kidney Stone Center concluded that study participants showed a decrease in kidney stone formation after drinking lemon water for a 44-month period.

7. Spinach

A well-known superfood, spinach is rich in B vitamins and certain antioxidants that can help to cleanse the kidneys, along with the entire body. But just like beets, it is important not to overdo it on spinach consumption, as it can cause kidney stone formation.

The Kidney Cleanse Procedure

Now that you know all of the herbs and foods to take advantage of for a kidney cleanse, it’s time to break down just how to put it all together.

Over a three-day period, you can commit to a kidney cleanse in which you only consume vegetable juice or smoothies made of celery, cranberries, and blueberries, along with collagen protein powder, which will aid in organ rebuilding — in this case, of the kidneys. You should drink such concoctions three times per day followed by nutritional foods considered to help aid in cleansing the kidneys.

A typical day would include a smoothie for breakfast consisting of half a cup each of cherries, blueberries, and cranberries, in addition to collagen protein powder and a green powder such as spirulina. Lunch would consist of another smoothie or juice, and dinner would entail a salad rich in dark leafy greens and a protein such as chicken breast.

If you incorporate the right herbs and foods, and in the matter suggested over the given amount of time, you will notice your energy levels spike. You’ll also be improving your overall health, which is always a good thing.

Source: 3 Herbs & 6 Foods You Can Use To Properly Cleanse Your Kidneys – Collective Evolution