How Beneficial Is Barley Water For Kidney Stones?

Kidney stones form when the excess of salt and minerals crystallize in your kidneys. Kidney stones, though form in the kidney but can move anywhere in the urinary tract. Kidney stones can cause sudden intense pain and require immediate treatment. 

The common signs and symptoms of kidney stone are:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Urine appearing pink or reddish due to presence of blood
• Frequent urge to pass urine
• Sudden intense pain in the lower back

These symptoms should not be left untreated to avoid any complications. (Also Read: 8 Signs that you have Kidney Stones )

Home remedies prove to be quite effective in treating kidney stones. One such home remedy that does wonders in treating kidney stones is barley water. It has been used for years for curing kidney stones. 

Benefits of barley water for kidney stones 

We all know about the health benefits of having barley cereals. It will surprise you more to know the wonderful effects of barley water in treating kidney stones.

Barley water is enriched in minerals and vitamins that are essential for maintaining the good health of your kidneys. It has high amounts of calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, and copper. These minerals ensure the proper functioning of kidneys and allow large volumes of urine to pass, so that kidney stones can also pass along. Therefore, barley water acts as a natural diuretic (causing more urine to pass). Vitamin B6 in barley water disintegrates the kidney stones that are made up of calcium oxalate. Magnesium also actively acts on dissolving the calcium oxalate stones. 

Barley water acts efficiently in maintaining the normal pH of the urine and prevents it from turning acidic. It also cleanses the kidneys and lowers the excretion of calcium through urine. Overall, barley water has soothing and nourishing effects on the kidneys.

The antioxidant properties of barley water keep away the chances of inflammation or infection due to kidney stones. It is also known to keep you away from the risks of heart disorders, diabetes, and increase the immune power. The best part is that barley is available and you do not have to spend much on it. So, you can easily use this home remedy to treat kidney stones.

How to make barley water?

Take about one-fourth cup of barley to boil it in 3 cups of water. Add a pinch of salt and a teaspoon of honey. You should also add lemon or orange zest to the water for the most effective results in kidney stones. After boiling it thoroughly, separate the solid part and drink only the barley water. Drink barley water every day and it will definitely help you in getting rid of kidney stones. It will allow kidney stones to pass without obstructing the urinary tract. 

Apart from treating kidney stones, barley water is equally effective in treating urinary tract infections. You can drink barley water even if you face no such issue of kidney stones. People drink it as a beverage in summers due to its soothing and cooling effects on the body. 

(Also Read: What Food Causes Kidney Stones? )

Other natural drinks to treat kidney stones

• Lemon Juice- Citrate present in lemon juice stops the formation of calcium stones in the kidney.
• Juice of celery- Drink fresh celery juice to flush out the toxins from the kidneys.
• Juice of basil leaves- It is full of nutrients and antioxidants that promote the healthy functioning of the kidneys. You can use basil leaves in your tea, and other drinks also.
• Apple cider vinegar in warm water- The acetic acid present in apple cider vinegar helps in dissolving the kidney stones 
• Broth of kidney beans
• Pomegranate juice- The antioxidants in pomegranate juice prevent kidney stones and restore the normal pH of the urine (by reducing acidity).

These home remedies will also help you in dissolving and passing the kidney stones out of the body.

The Bottom Line

If the pain due to kidney stones keep recurring and you do not find much relief remedies, immediately reach out to a kidney stones specialist doctor. Discuss all your symptoms with the doctor to get proper diagnosis and treatment. Timely treatment of kidney stones can save you from a lot of troubles. 

THE TIP– Saving the most important tip for the last. You must drink at least 8-9 glasses of water every day. It helps in flushing out the toxins from the body.

Also Read:

• How to Treat Kidney Stones in a Day?
• Best Medicines For Kidney Stones
• How To Treat Kidney Stone During Pregnancy?