Watermelon Remedy for Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are known by a number of names, including renal stones and urinary stone disease. These are what end up being painful deposits of cyctine, uric acid, calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate. These stones can be small, but they can also be as large as a bird's egg. Usually kidney stones get dissolved in urine before they even form these hard substances, but if not, they can be incredible painful, sometimes resulting in hospitalization. There is an easier way, though, to remedy kidney stones--with watermelon.

Eliminating Kidney Stones

Watermelon is one of the best natural remedies for kidney stones available. It has the highest level of water among all types of fruit, and water is essential to being able to pass kidney stones. Watermelon is used as a diuretic, increasing the urine.

What's more important, though, is watermelon's high level of potassium. This substance is a form of salt that actually helps to dissolve the kidney stones, therefore easing the pain and helping to eliminate them. This whole process can take up to 15 days but the difference, of course, can be felt much sooner than that.

Preventing Kidney Stones

Watermelon can also be used in preventative measures against kidney stones, especially for those who already have a history of kidney stones. If you have a family history but haven't experienced stones yet, incorporate watermelon into your diet on a regular basis.

Because there are no side effects with using this as a remedy or preventative measure, it can be consumed at any time unless you have an allergy. Prevention is always the best method and with something so natural and effective, it's hard to see why more sufferers of kidney stones don't use watermelon.

Not Just the Fruit

There is another method to try if you want to use watermelon to prevent kidney stones, but don't want to eat the fruit. It is called watermelon seed tea. This helps to clean the kidneys and the bladder. The seeds, as well, are considered to be a diuretic, therefore increasing the amount of urine passed from the body.

It's very simple to make this tea. It is brewed by pouring 1 pint of freshly boiled water over 1 tbsp of watermelon seeds. The seeds will either need to be chopped or ground up first. Allow the tea to sit for about 15 minutes or until cooled. Strain it, making sure that all of the pieces of seed are taken out, and then drink the watermelon seed tea. This should be done once a day for three days in a row.