Kidney Detox Foods And Herbs

Your kidneys are vital — not just for your overall functioning, but also for your day-to-day health. What can you do to look after them?

Importance of Detoxifying your Kidneys

Detoxifying the kidneys refers to the process of removing all the foods or components from the body that might hinder the proper functioning of the kidneys. The importance of detoxifying your kidneys cannot be understated; but were are talking, here, about cleansing your kidneys of unhealthy dietary components you have subjected them to or flushing your system out by using herbs in order to prevent urinary tract infections. If you have been in contact with actual toxins, such as lead, seek medical attention.

We tend to abuse our body by giving in to temptations and indulging in unhealthy diets in our day-to-day lives. We tend to eat junk food and drinks that subject our kidneys to a lot of stress. The kidneys are tiny, yet they are among the most important and powerful organs of our body. The kidneys are responsible for regulating electrolytes in our body, maintaining a healthy acid-base balance, and they also play an important role in the regulation of blood pressure. They are also responsible for detoxifying our body and eliminating wastes.

They are also responsible for eliminating the highly toxic ammonia and uric acid from the body. The kidneys tend to become overloaded if not attended to properly — meaning, essentially, if you tax them by engaging in unhealthy eating habits — and therefore it is vital to detoxify your kidneys on a regular basis to ensure their optimum function. Regular contact with harmful toxic substances may lead to their accumulation in the kidneys.

If you are thinking of detoxifying your body, you must start by focusing your energy on your kidneys. This is because the kidneys are the last stop in your body where filtration and detoxification occurs. Therefore, if your kidneys are not functioning properly, all your detoxifying efforts will go waste.

Kidney Detox Herbs

To detox your kidneys, you can periodically choose to consume certain foods and herbs that have natural detoxifying properties. Some of these detox herbs that are good for kidneys are listed below:

• Uva ursi leaves: Uva ursi leaves are very effective in cleansing and detoxifying the kidneys. The uva ursi leaves contain chemicals such as arbutin, volatile acids, mallic and gallic acids, and quercetin. The arbutin present in uva ursi leaves has powerful anti-bacterial properties and is quite effective at killing the bacteria and fungi that may infect the kidneys. The quercetin present in the uva ursi leaves helps in protecting the trillions of capillaries comprising the filtering system of the kidneys.

• Horsetail herb: The horsetail herb has been known for centuries for its medicinal properties. It is very useful in treating kidney disorders and urinary tract infections. The horsetail herb acts as an astringent (contracting agent) for the urinary system. The horsetail herb, which is rich in silicon, is helpful in healing wounds and reducing inflammation. It also stimulates the flow of urine and thereby helps in flushing out the infectious bacteria from our body.

• Corn silk: Corn silk, also known as maize silk, is a soothing diuretic, which helps you "flush your system out". Corn silk has been found to be very useful in soothing urinary system irritation caused by bacterial infections, especially in the earlier stages. Corn silk contains a complex polysaccharide which activates the white blood cells to engulf and dissolve the infectious microorganisms. The volatile oils present in corn silk help in neutralizing the fungi and yeast.

• Gravel root: Gravel root is useful in the treatment of kidney stones and urinary infections. It is also useful for treating infections of bladder, prostate, and urethra.

• Goldenrod: Goldenrod is used as a urinary antiseptic with its anti-inflammatory properties. It is been known to be successful in the treatment of urethritis and cystitis. Goldenrod is also useful in flushing out impurities from the kidneys, urinary tract, and the bladder. Goldenrod is quite effective in clearing up kidney stones and gravel from the bladder.

Herbs useful in Kidney Detoxification

Some important kidney detox foods are listed below:

Cranberry extracts: Cranberry extract and natural unsweetened cranberry juice help in promoting kidney health. They are found to be effective in the prevention of UTIs. Cranberries contain compounds known as tannins which have antibacterial properties. Tannins prevent infectious bacteria from sticking on to the walls of the bladder and this in turn helps in the prevention of UTIs.

The infectious bacteria are then flushed out of the bladder through the urine. Cranberries also contain an acidic compound known as quinic acid which is excreted in the urine.

• Grapes: Grapes are one of the best detoxifiers you can have for your kidneys, something not many people are aware of. They have a high potassium content which nourishes the kidneys by stimulating alkaline blood regulation. Grapes are also useful in flushing out any excess formation of uric acid from the kidneys.

• Red bell peppers: Red bell peppers are rich in fiber, vitamins A and B6, folic acid, and an antioxidant known as lypocene. Lypocene is known to cleanse the kidneys and therefore if you plan to detoxify your kidneys, you must include red bell pepper in your diet. You must remember not to cook red bell peppers as they tend to lose their nutritional value on cooking. It is best advised to consume red bell peppers either raw or grilled, and they can be quite pleasant in salads.

• Red Cabbage: Red cabbage plays an important role in protecting the kidneys from the oxidative damage normally associated with diabetes. Red cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable that comes loaded with phytochemicals and useful chemical compounds. Phytochemicals are useful for breaking down free radicals and in fighting cancer and supporting cardiovascular health. Red cabbage is high in vitamins K, C, B6 and folic acid. The low-potassium content of red cabbage makes it kidney-friendly.

• Garlic: Garlic promotes kidney health owing to its diuretic properties. Garlic cloves are rich in biologically active components that are known to inhibit the production of blood-pressure increasing hormones by the kidneys. Garlic is also useful in increasing the antioxidant levels in the kidneys and thereby protects the kidneys from damage caused by free radicals.

• Juniper berries: Juniper berries are known to be effective in treating infections related to the urinary tract, kidneys, and bladder. Juniper berries have antiseptic properties and help in removing acidic toxins and other wastes from the body. Juniper berries act as diuretics and help in eliminating excess water retention from the body thereby contributing towards weight loss. The volatile oils present in juniper berries promote the filtering capability of the kidneys and increases the flow of urine.