Kidney stones: what to drink and eat to prevent recurrence

The essentials. A kidney stone is a crystallization of mineral salts in the kidney or bladder. The first remedy is water: the Institute's course recommends drinking at least 12 glasses a day, regularly. To this are added a few plants (chamomile, marjoram, Java tea), a preparation with lemon, olive oil and apple cider vinegar, and a diet that reduces sodium, animal protein and fatty foods. Intense pain that does not subside, fever, or the absence of urination require urgent medical attention.

It often arrives without warning. A sharp pain starts in the lower back or side, moves down toward the abdomen or groin, and leaves no position comfortable. This is renal colic. Sometimes you also notice a sand-like deposit at the bottom of the urine. When these episodes recur, the question becomes very practical: what to drink, what to eat, and how to avoid the next attack?

Why a stone forms in the kidney

The Institute's course defines the stone as a crystallization of mineral salts that forms small stones in the kidneys or bladder. It cites two causes: metabolic disorders and excess calcium in the blood.

The kidneys play a precious role. They purify the blood, eliminate waste, and help regulate blood pressure. When urine is too concentrated, the minerals it carries are more likely to clump together. The "sand" sometimes seen corresponds to these fine crystals, and the stone is simply the larger form. Pain usually occurs when the stone moves and obstructs the flow of urine.

This mechanism sheds light on what follows. The goal is to keep urine abundant and diluted, and to avoid overloading the body with what promotes crystallization.

Water first, and how to drink it

Allah says in His noble Book: "And We created every living thing from water." In the body, water ensures the distribution of nutrients, oxygen and hormones. It also helps eliminate waste from metabolism.

In his book, Imam Ibn al-Qayyim says that water is the substance of life and the best of drinks. He adds that it preserves the body's moisture, dilutes food and allows it to pass into the blood vessels. He also teaches how to judge water by its quality: it should be clear, odorless, good and sweet to the taste, light and fluid.

For stones, the teaching is clear: one should drink at least 12 glasses of water a day. It is better to drink in small amounts, regularly, than a lot at once. Clear urine throughout the day is a good indicator.

The way of drinking matters too. Ibn al-Qayyim notes that the Prophet's ﷺ way of drinking is among the best ways to preserve health. 'Aisha reported: "The Prophet's ﷺ favorite drink was one that was cold and sweet." It is also advised not to drink ice-cold water upon waking after a shower, nor right after eating fruit. After a meal, it is better to wait a while before drinking.

As a precaution, someone who keeps forming stones can ask their doctor which water suits them. Depending on the nature of the stone, not all mineral waters are equal.

Plants, supplements and the preparation cited by the course

For kidney stones, the course cites a small number of traditionally used remedies:

• chamomile and marjoram;
• Java tea, in capsules for 45 days, one capsule before each meal;
• vitamin B6 combined with magnesium, which helps manage the stress linked to the ordeal.

It adds a recipe according to Prophetic Medicine: 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, taken on an empty stomach for 10 days.

Fresh juices can accompany this approach. The course presents celery as a diuretic useful for kidney detox, and lists stones among the uses of apple. For urinary system detox, it also mentions celery, parsley, cucumber and lemon. A juice is held in the mouth for a moment rather than swallowed in one gulp. One stays with one or two small glasses a day, rather as a course of treatment.

These remedies may help, but they do not replace diagnosis or medical follow-up. Healing remains in Allah's hands.

What to put on your plate to avoid a recurrence

The course gives a list of foods to favor:

• fruits: orange, lemon, grapefruit, apple, pomegranate;
• vegetables: celery, leafy greens, cauliflower, parsley, basil, squash;
• lentils;
• fish: salmon;
• minerals: magnesium.

It also recommends eating green bell pepper to help prevent stone formation. It likewise advises adding turmeric to dishes, a spice it cites against stones, and taking 2 tablespoons of olive oil a day.

The rules to remember are as follows: reduce sodium, reduce animal protein, avoid fatty foods, consume enough calcium, and drink plenty. For salt, this also means fewer canned and processed dishes. Cheese, yogurt and egg yolk should be avoided during an attack.

The two pieces of advice go together: calcium is not eliminated, but these foods are set aside during an attack. The doctor knows the nature of the stone through testing. They remain best placed to adjust these guidelines.

In practice

Movement is one of the helpful measures. The course recommends walking, going up and down stairs, and light jogging. Here is how to organize your days:

• spread the 12 glasses of water from morning to evening, with a bottle always within reach;
• if you choose to follow it, take the lemon, olive oil and apple cider vinegar preparation on an empty stomach, for 10 days;
• include fruits and vegetables from the list at every meal, and add green bell pepper and turmeric to dishes;
• cut back on meat and remember lentils;
• use less salt and limit processed foods;
• walk every day and take the stairs;
• write down your attacks and keep a passed stone to show the doctor, whose analysis helps tailor the advice.

Precautions: when the pain calls for urgent care

An herbal tea never replaces medical advice. Seek urgent care, without waiting, in the following cases:

• the pain is very intense and does not subside;
• it comes with fever or chills, which may signal an infection;
• vomiting prevents you from drinking;
• you are no longer urinating, or only very little;
• blood appears abundantly in the urine;
• the person is pregnant, has only one kidney, or is a child.

During an attack, do not force yourself to drink large amounts without medical advice. The 12 glasses of water are a prevention guideline, to be followed between attacks.

Pregnant or breastfeeding women and children should not take medicinal herbal teas, capsules or supplements without medical advice. Anyone on treatment, or affected by kidney disease, heart disease or hypertension, should consult their doctor before taking a diuretic plant or magnesium. Grapefruit can interact with certain medications: if on treatment, ask your doctor or pharmacist before consuming it regularly. Turmeric is used here as a spice in dishes, not in capsules without medical advice. Taken on an empty stomach, the lemon and vinegar preparation can irritate a sensitive stomach or worsen reflux. Finally, stones that recur often warrant a full checkup. The doctor remains the reference for diagnosis and treatment.

Frequently asked questions

How much water should you drink when you have kidney stones?

The Institute's course recommends drinking at least 12 glasses of water a day. It is better to spread this out over the whole day, in small amounts, rather than drinking a lot at once. During a renal colic attack, follow the doctor's advice on the amount.

Should dairy products be stopped completely?

No. The course recommends consuming enough calcium, while avoiding cheese, yogurt and egg yolk during an attack. The doctor can refine these guidelines based on the nature of the stone.

What foods should be avoided to prevent forming stones again?

The course recommends reducing sodium and animal protein, avoiding fatty foods, and drinking plenty. Conversely, favor citrus fruits, apple, pomegranate, celery, parsley, leafy greens, lentils and green bell pepper.

How should the lemon, olive oil and apple cider vinegar preparation be taken?

The course specifies 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, taken on an empty stomach for 10 days. Anyone with a sensitive stomach, who is pregnant, or on treatment should first ask their doctor for advice.

When is renal colic an emergency?

Seek care without waiting if the pain does not subside, in case of fever, chills or vomiting, if blood appears abundantly in the urine, or if you stop urinating. This also applies to a pregnant woman, a child, or someone with only one kidney.