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Lemon Juice for Kidney Stones: A Natural Remedy Guide

| Modified on Oct 16, 2024
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Lemon Juice

Kidney stones are a common health concern, affecting a significant portion of the population. These hard mineral deposits can cause considerable pain and discomfort. However, natural remedies like lemon juice are gaining popularity for their potential to prevent and treat kidney stones. This article delves into the effectiveness of lemon juice for kidney stones, offering insights and tips for those seeking natural health solutions.

Understanding Kidney Stones

Kidney stones develop when minerals and salts, such as calcium, oxalate, and uric acid, crystallize in the kidneys. They can vary in size and cause symptoms like severe pain, nausea, and blood in the urine. Factors contributing to kidney stone formation include dehydration, certain diets, and genetic predisposition.

Lemon Juice: A Natural Solution

Lemon juice is renowned for its high citric acid content, crucial in combating kidney stones. Citric acid can prevent stone formation by:

  • Inhibiting Stone Formation: It helps break down and dissolve certain kidney stones, particularly calcium stones.
  • Reducing Stone Growth: Citric acid can prevent the aggregation of crystals, which can grow into larger stones.
  • Alkalizing Urine: This can help decrease the likelihood of stone formation.

How to Use Lemon Juice for Kidney Stones

Incorporating lemon juice into your diet is simple and can be an effective way to manage kidney stones:

  • Lemon Water: Mix fresh lemon juice with water and drink regularly throughout the day.
  • Diet Integration: Add lemon juice to your meals, salads, or drinks for a citric acid boost.
  • Consistency is Key: Regular consumption of lemon juice can be more effective than sporadic use.

Precautions and Considerations

While lemon juice can be beneficial for kidney stones, it's essential to consider the following:

  • Consult Your Doctor: Especially if you have kidney disease or other health conditions.
  • Balanced Diet: Lemon juice should complement a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and adequate hydration.
  • Moderation: Excessive consumption of lemon juice can lead to dental erosion or stomach issues.

Conclusion

Lemon juice is a promising natural remedy for kidney stones, offering a simple, cost-effective way to manage this condition. By incorporating lemon juice into your daily routine and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, you can take a proactive step toward preventing and treating kidney stones.

Continue reading below to learn how Earth Clinic readers used lemon juice to treat kidney stones, and please let us know if this remedy helped you!

Related Links:

Lemon & Olive Oil: Effective Kidney Stone Home Remedy
Natural Kidney Stone Remedies: Pain Relief & Prevention

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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Posted by Cindy (Illinois, Usa) on 11/16/2018 528 posts
 ★★★★★

So - 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, a tablespoon of honey and a couple splashes of water. Shortly thereafter, the twinge, which had been stationary all day, moved. So, thinking maybe that if I could feel it, it might be big and might hurt to pass, I took a TEAspoon of butter because I'm out of olive oil.

Just FYI - I AM dehydrated - probably QUITE dehydrated and have been really feeling it for a couple weeks but I've been so busy that I keep forgetting and not bothering to walk the ten or so steps to get water when the coffee is right there, ROFL!

And as I've written this, the discomfort has disappeared...I think...yep, the discomfort is gone. Just a little muscle stiffness from tension and squirming all day. Much more relaxed. Still going to get olive oil though...just because I like to drink lemonade and take a swig of olive oil every now and then as a preventative...holy moly - I hadn't realized I'd been so tense with it...ahhhhh

Lemon Juice
Posted by Sassenach (Southern California) on 06/08/2017
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

My kidney stones are calcium oxalate. I have passed three very painful stones in 25 years, but those days are over now that I use the following lemon juice remedy. In August 2016, I had the symptoms of a kidney stone (sudden urge to urinate and jabbing pain in the right kidney). I went to the doctor, and after an ultrasound, I was told I had a 6mm kidney stone in my right kidney and other smaller stones. The 6mm would be extremely painful to pass, so I searched YouTube for remedies. I found a guy who recommended 1 cup of straight lemon juice in the morning and then adding half a squeezed lemon (about 1 oz lemon juice) to 8 oz cup of water and drink that up to 12x a day. That's a lot of lemons. As such, I only drank 1/2 cup of straight lemon juice in the morning. I would wait about 1/2 hour before eating and brushing teeth. Then I'd add half a juiced lemon to one cup (8oz) of water and drink 8 or more cups of that a day. In time (a few weeks to one month) the kidney pain disappeared, and when I had a CT scan in 5/2017 the 6mm stone was gone. I never passed the stone or ended up in the hospital or needed lithotripsy or a stint.

Please note that I have also tried the lemon juice /olive oil remedy and the olive oil only made me sick to my stomach. I don't think there is a need for the olive oil at all. From my experience, it is the lemon juice that dissolves the stone.

Lemon Juice
Posted by Dave (Fountain Inn, Sc) on 01/17/2017
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I had a sudden onset of my fifth kidney stone... five in about 10 years. First one was on right side, then next three on left and this one last Saturday on right. Somewhat sharp pain like previous ones and getting worse as day went on. By the time my wife and I were back from a little day trip, all I could do was sit quietly on the couch and not move too much.

I managed to get four lemons squeezed and combined with eight glasses of water in a container. (So one half lemon juice per glass of water.) And began drinking. One glass of water every two hours.

After fifth glass, I realized my pain was gone. By end of evening no more blood in urine that was the bright kind. Next morning, no pain at all. Continued drinking lemon juice just to make sure. So I didn't even have to drink quarter cup of olive oil. That was the fastest of all my previous stones to pass. The previous four took about 3 to 5 days to pass.

Lemon Juice
Posted by Doug (California, US) on 04/02/2015
 ★★★★★

For those of you who have suffered with kidney stones, let me pass on some observations I've made after several years of suffering with Calcium oxylate stones.

1. Lemon juice will dissolve kidney stones, but I have never mixed it with olive oil. I am unsure what the olive oil would do, unless it lubes the 'chute' from the kidneys to the bladder. I drink it like lemonade, with lots of water and artificial sweetener. About four ounces of lemon juice to 12 ounces of water. I am going to try chanca piedra as well, as my body is continually producing stones. Will try the 2 ounce lemon juice and olive oil remedy to see what that does.

2. In my case, I am convinced that my stones come from the fact that my body is extracting calcium from my bones because it somehow believes my bones are too thick and strong. Bummer.

Lemon Juice
Posted by Kishore (Bangalore) on 07/15/2014
 ★★★★★

It works within 3 days for kidney stones with continuous supply of raw lemon juice to your body. Three times a day with each time 30 oz...

Lemon Juice
Posted by Garden Lady (Orlando, Usa) on 02/02/2010
 ★★★★★

I have had such bad kidney stones starting in my 20's after a car accident. I get them about every year or as little as 6 months. I have been hospitalized with an enlarged kidney and have scarring from the scraping of the stones. I get violently ill and can barely stand the pain- especially since it can take days to pass or I cannot pass them on my own. The health care in Florida is much to be desired and instead of the hospital making you comfortable as soon as possible they act like you are there just to get pain meds. Then after they see your CT and watch you throw up about 12 times and moan in agony they will give you something. I have waited over 8 hours in an emergency room and seen a sprained ancle get treated first. This is not a good problem to have on a regular basis!!

I feel for everyone who goes through this! One day someone told me about the lemon juice. It is a miracle! No more hospital rooms for me! I am writing this while waiting for a stone to pass. I am not doubled over and even got to eat today. I am soooo grateful. If only someone like the kidney specialist had recommended this!! Also, I spoke with someone from South America and they have a tea they use especially for the stones and said it passes in a few hours. How sad that more do not know these things. Please pass the word to others- they deserve the relief!!! I make a bottle of water and squirt in about 3 big squirts of lemons juice or at least 3 tablespoons and drink it constantly.

Lemon Juice
Posted by Chloe (Melbourne, Australia) on 09/24/2009
 ★★★★☆

Kidney stones and lemon juice:

I found a remedy for kidney stones on the internet and it's working. Here is the remedy: Drink 8 ounces of lemon juice straight. Then drink a glass of water with 1 ounce of lemon juice every hour for the next 12 hours.

I did this yesterday and nothing happened at first. Then I continued with the 1 ounce of lemon juice in water every couple of hours today and I started to see the grit coming out. I'll probably continue with the lemon juice until I feel completely better.

Lemon Juice
Posted by Chuck (Chicago, Il) on 08/06/2009
 ★★★★★

I have had chronic Kidney Stone Issues FOR the past 25 years. After my last bout September 2008 my urologist suggested I take 4 OZ of Lemon Juice Daily. I prepare 4oz of Lemon Juice in 64 oz of Instant Iced Tea for taste. In March 2009 with out any pain or warning I passed 2 Stones. I was pretty surprised since I have become used to the symptoms.

Unfortunately each of my children are coming down with stones starting at the same age as I started getting them. Oh, yes doctors say they are NOT hereditary. My son currently has a stone and no insurance so we started him on 4oz of Lemon juice in 64 oz of iced tea mixture on 8/5/09. He felt less pain by evening, however did not pass yet. On 8/6/09 we started trying the Lemon and Olive Oil Cure, 2 oz Lemon Juice and 2 Oz Olive oil, once a day and are continuing the Lemon Tea. We will see how long this takes.

Lemon Juice
Posted by Jean (Delavan, IL) on 03/20/2009
 ★★★★★

My husband suffered from kidney stones for three years. He had stones every six months, including two surgeries. Doctors decided his body was creating calcium stones. Instead of prescribing chemicals, his doctor suggested he drink lemonade on a daily basis. The citric acid prevents the calcium from forming into a stone. He has not had another kidney stone in two years. The solution is 1/4 cup lemon juice in 2 liters of water.

Lemon Juice
Posted by Leigh Ann (Cornelius, NC) on 03/01/2009
 ★★★★★

kidney stone cure: I drink a highly concentrated lemon juice and water mixture: juice from 2 lemons in one gallon of water as maintenance to keep oxlate stones from forming. I have been free from stones for 3 years! I was dignosed with stones on each side and passed one (lodged in the ureter) the first week and avoided surgery. 5 remained and I was told that I would have to take meds for the rest of my life. If it tastes too tart, a bit of sugar can be added.

Lemon Juice
Posted by Michael (Singapore) on 01/05/2009
 ★★★★★

Went to my family doctor and he said he didn't need to check. He told me that once a person who has has kidney stones before suspects that its happening again, they're almost always right. So he gave me some diuretics and antibiotics in case. Said if I don't pass the stone in a week then he'd recommend that I go in for a scan etc. Having been through it before, I really wasn't keen.

Couple of days later ... read stuff on this forum and told my wife that I'm going out for some lemon juice. Found some "freshly squeezed" Florida's Natural lemonade and bought one. Its about 15% real lemon juice.

Went home and chugged 3 normal sized glasses in quick succession plus another glass by my bedside which i finished before falling asleep. I could immediately feel some activity. No pain, but just something afoot.

Woke up in the middle of the night that same night (about 4 hours later) really needing to pee. It was the best flowing pee I'd had in weeks and just at the very end as I was about to stop, I felt that draining sensation. No pain, mild discomfort. Terribly excited, I went to switch on the toilet light and true enough! Fished it out and brought it proudly to my doc so he could get it analysed. I'd lost my old stone the previous time so never got it analysed. (still waiting for results).

Anyway, its simple and it really worked for me. It was lodged for weeks and the effects of this remedy were so immediate that I'm really really thankful and pleased. Had to share results and highly recommend it back here.

Thanks to everyone here!

Lemon Juice
Posted by Katy (Mt Carmet, IL, USA) on 12/24/2008
 ★★★★★

My pain so bad that I rushed to emergency room 4 times! Last time the specialist by cat-scan said I had 3 the size of 50 cent piece. Scheduled me for surgery or the water bath deal on Tues. I left hosp on a Tues. so only had a week to work on dissolving. I drank Lemon juice water, & drank extra water. I also added a tiny bit of baking soda to help sweeten our hard water to get more down. My Cat-scan on Tues showed no stones at all. Dr said to take Magnesium and would never need to see him again. Have tried both Magnesium and Lemon juice since and now been 4 yrs since my last bout with stones. Thanks for the great information.

Lemon Juice
Posted by John (Sacramento, California) on 09/24/2008
 ★★★★★

I've had Calcium Oxalate kidney stones for over 30 years. I started out with one a year and then about three years ago I heard that drinking 3 ozs of lemon juice (fresh squeezed) per day. I now pass one stone every 2 months. What a big relief. It seems to prevent new stones from forming but doesn't seem to be eliminating any existing stones. At lease what I can tell from my CAT Scans.

I hope this info helps at least one person out there.

John

Lemon Juice
Posted by Amanda (Rockingham, NC) on 08/21/2008
 ★★★★★

I was doing all that I could to avoid the hospital, since I lost my health insurance shortly after my first kidney stone 6 months ago. I felt like I was dying, and when I found this website, I read about the lemon juice and olive oil. I only had lemon juice at home, so I drank about 2 ounces of it at 6 pm when I got home from work, 2 ounces before bed. I drank 4 more ounces the following day. I noticed my back wasn't hurting as bad. The third day I passed the stone with only some mild discomfort. Thanks so much for this wonderful site. Lemon juice is a heck of a lot cheaper than lithotripsy!!!!

Lemon Juice
Posted by Lary (chicago, usa) on 03/04/2008
 ★★★★★

i've read alot of cures on kidney stones and read about the lemons and olive oil' i have been married 20 yrs now i have had calcium stones averaging 2 to 3 times a yr and no history on either side of my family and i have a twin brother who does not get them , so one day at the uroligist i ask him look i have put all of your kids through college and helped in buying your house ,what have you done lately for me well he recommended lemons with my water so i tried for like 3 to 4 days 1 or 2 glases a day of bottled water and acouple of squeezes of lemon juice and guess what i passed atleast 3 or 4 stones from each side of me and im not braging i am a large stone former averaging 6 to 7 mm and i have passed that size many times my wife wishes they were diamonds lol but i have to say the lemons worked for me but my question is seeing alot of post on kidney stones shows me not only to look for a cure but find out why we are forming them what are we lacking?


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