Kidney & Urinary

Applications

AlfalfaArjunaAstragalusBacopaBhringarajBirchBlessed ThistleBlue CohoshBuchuBurdockCardamomCat's Whiskers / Java TeaCelery SeedCleaversColeus / ForskolinColtsfootCordycepsCorianderCranberryCuminDamianaDandelionDevil's ClawDillElecampaneEleutheroGinkgoGoldensealGotu KolaGravel RootGuduchi / GiloyGymnemaHawthornHe Shou WuHibiscusHorsetailJuniperMangosteenMarshmallowMeadowsweetMilk ThistleMulleinNettleOreganoOregon GrapeParsleyPartridge BerryPine NeedlePlantainPygeumRehmanniaRose HipsSaw PalmettoSchisandraSlippery ElmSpearmintSpilanthes / Toothache PlantThymeTribulusUva UrsiWheatgrassWood BetonyWormwoodYerba Mate

Plants

Alfalfa

Medicago sativa

Traditional Chinese medicine: 'Mu Xu' used as a diuretic and for kidney stones, urinary infections, and edemaAyurvedic tradition: used as a nutritive tonic, diuretic, and to treat arthritis and digestive weaknessArab herbalism: first described as 'al-fisfisa' for horses but also used by humans for fatigue and vitamin deficiency

Arjuna

Terminalia arjuna

Ayurveda: primary cardiac tonic (hridaya daurbalya); described in Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita for heart failure, palpitations, and anginaUnani medicine: used as mufarreh qalb (cardiac tonic) and for wound healingTraditional Indian medicine: treatment of fractures and bone injuries (accelerates callus formation)

Astragalus

Astragalus membranaceus

Immune system strengthening and "qi" tonificationChronic fatigue and weaknessDigestive disorders and poor appetite

Bacopa

Bacopa monnieri

Ayurveda: classified as medhya rasayana (intellect-promoting rejuvenative); used in Charak Samhita for enhancing memory, learning, and intelligenceAyurveda: treatment of epilepsy, anxiety, and psychological disorders; component of Brahmi ghrita formulation for mental healthTraditional use in India for asthma and bronchitis; expectorant and bronchodilator properties recorded

Bhringaraj

Eclipta prostrata

Ayurveda: primary herb for all hair conditions; stimulates hair growth, prevents premature graying, and strengthens hair follicles; Bhringaraj taila (oil) is cornerstone of Ayurvedic hair careAyurveda: liver tonic and treatment for jaundice, hepatitis, and liver enlargement; classified as hepatoprotective rasayanaTCM: Mo Han Lian — used for liver and kidney yin deficiency causing dizziness, blurred vision, premature graying; hemostatic herb

Birch

Betula spp.

Arthritis and joint painSkin conditions including eczema and psoriasisUrinary tract infections and kidney stones

Blessed Thistle

Cnicus benedictus

Digestive stimulant and appetite enhancementLiver and gallbladder supportLactation support in nursing mothers

Blue Cohosh

Caulophyllum thalictroides

Labor induction and facilitation of childbirthMenstrual regulation and relief of dysmenorrheaTreatment of rheumatism and arthritis

Buchu

Agathosma betulina

Khoikhoi and San indigenous use: buchu leaves rubbed on the body as insect repellent and perfume; earliest recorded use dates to 1650sCape Malay and Afrikaner folk medicine: buchu brandy (leaves steeped in grape spirit) for urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and 'gravel'Traditional South African use for digestive complaints: gas, bloating, and stomach cramps

Burdock

Arctium lappa

Skin conditions including eczema and psoriasisBlood purification and detoxificationLiver and kidney support

Cardamom

Elettaria cardamomum

Digestive disorders and stomach upsetRespiratory ailments including asthma and bronchitisBad breath and oral hygiene

Cat's Whiskers / Java Tea

Orthosiphon aristatus

Indonesian traditional medicine (Jamu): 'Kumis Kucing' (cat's whiskers) tea used as primary kidney tonic, diuretic, and urinary antiseptic for hundreds of yearsMalaysian folk medicine: brewed as tea for kidney stones, urinary tract infections, gout, and high blood pressureVietnamese traditional medicine: used for edema, liver conditions, and as a general cleansing tonic

Celery Seed

Apium graveolens

Ancient Indian Ayurvedic medicine uses ajmod (celery seed) for gout, arthritis, rheumatism, kidney disease, and urinary disordersAncient Egyptian and Greco-Roman use: Dioscorides recommended celery seed as a diuretic, for urinary stones, and to regulate menstruationTraditional use throughout South Asia for hypertension, high uric acid, and as an anti-inflammatory

Cleavers

Galium aparine

Lymphatic drainage and detoxificationUrinary tract conditions and kidney supportSkin conditions and eczema

Coleus / Forskolin

Plectranthus barbatus (syn. Coleus forskohlii)

Ayurveda (makandi/garmar): heart tonic for congestive heart conditions, hypertension, and anginaTraditional Indian medicine: treatment of abdominal colic, urinary retention, and painful menstruationUnani medicine: used for skin conditions including psoriasis and eczema

Coltsfoot

Tussilago farfara

Respiratory conditions (coughs, bronchitis, asthma)Throat inflammation and laryngitisLung congestion and phlegm

Cordyceps

Cordyceps militaris

Cordycipitaceae

Tibetan medicine (sowa rigpa): Yartsa gunbu (caterpillar fungus) — used for 1,000+ years as prime lung tonic and aphrodisiac; reserved for royalty and the wealthyTCM: Dong Chong Xia Cao — tonifies lung and kidney yang; used for fatigue, impotence, night sweats, chronic cough, and kidney deficiencyAyurvedic adoption (Krimi Kalpa): some Indian traditions adopted cordyceps into their pharmacopeia for respiratory and energy tonic purposes

Coriander

Coriandrum sativum

Digestive disorders and dyspepsiaUrinary tract infections and kidney stonesArthritis and joint inflammation

Cranberry

Vaccinium macrocarpon

Urinary tract infections and kidney problemsScurvy prevention during long sea voyagesStomach ailments and digestive disorders

Cumin

Cuminum cyminum

Digestive disorders and flatulenceRespiratory ailments including bronchitisDiabetes and blood sugar regulation

Damiana

Turnera diffusa

Nervous system support and mood enhancementTraditional aphrodisiac and libido enhancementDigestive stimulant and stomach tonic

Dandelion

Taraxacum officinale

Liver disorders and jaundiceKidney and bladder problemsDigestive disorders and poor appetite

Devil's Claw

Harpagophytum procumbens

San and Khoikhoi traditional medicine (primary users): root decoctions for pain, fever, malaria, and digestive upsetBantu traditional medicine: poultices for sores, ulcers, boils, and skin lesionsTraditional use for childbirth complications: root used to ease delivery and postpartum pain in southern Africa

Dill

Anethum graveolens

Ancient Egyptian medical texts (Ebers Papyrus, 1550 BCE) mention dill as a soothing herb for digestive painAncient Greek and Roman physicians used dill as a carminative, digestive aid, and galactagogue (to promote milk flow in nursing mothers)Traditional Ayurvedic use (shatapushpa) for digestive complaints, hiccups, flatulence, and to increase milk production in nursing women

Elecampane

Inula helenium

Respiratory conditions (bronchitis, asthma, coughs)Digestive disorders and poor appetiteSkin conditions (scabies, eczema, wounds)

Eleuthero

Eleutherococcus senticosus

Traditional Chinese Medicine: tonic for spleen and kidney qi deficiency, fatigue, and lower back weakness (wu jia pi)Russian folk medicine: general tonic for stamina and endurance among forest workers and huntersSoviet-era adaptogen: extensively used by athletes, cosmonauts, and military personnel to enhance performance under stress (1960s–1980s research by Brekhman)

Ginkgo

Ginkgo biloba

Traditional Chinese Medicine for lung and kidney supportSeed used for respiratory conditions, urinary disordersMemory enhancement and cognitive support

Goldenseal

Hydrastis canadensis

Digestive disorders and infectionsRespiratory infections and sinusitisEye infections and conjunctivitis

Gotu Kola

Centella asiatica

Ayurveda: classified as medhya rasayana; used for improving memory, concentration, and intelligence; central to Brahmi ghrita formula (note: also used interchangeably with Bacopa monnieri as 'Brahmi')Traditional Southeast Asian medicine: wound healing and skin regeneration; leaves applied topically to cuts, burns, and ulcersTCM: Chi Xue Cao — diuretic, anti-inflammatory, detoxifying; used for urinary tract infections and dysentery

Gravel Root

Eutrochium purpureum

Iroquois traditional medicine: root decoction as primary kidney and urinary tract remedy; used for kidney stones, urinary gravel, and painful urinationCherokee use: roots for fevers, typhoid, and as a diuretic tonicEclectic physicians (19th–20th century USA): 'Joe Pye Weed' widely prescribed for kidney stones, gravel, and urinary calculi; considered a specific for dissolving calcium oxalate stones

Guduchi / Giloy

Tinospora cordifolia

Ayurveda: Rasayana (rejuvenator) and Tridosha-balancing herb; classified as bitter tonic and immunomodulator in Charaka SamhitaAyurvedic treatment for chronic fever, malaria, and typhoid; Sanskrit name 'Jwarghna' means fever destroyerTraditional treatment for diabetes (Madhumeha) in Ayurveda; used continuously for thousands of years

Gymnema

Gymnema sylvestre

Ayurvedic medicine: 'Gurmar' (sugar destroyer) used for over 2,000 years for madhumeha (diabetes); Charaka Samhita references it for urinary disorders and sweet cravingsTraditional Indian folk medicine: leaves chewed to suppress sugar cravings and appetite for sweets; used for weight managementSouthern Indian tribal medicine: used for snake and scorpion bites as an antidote

Hawthorn

Crataegus spp.

Heart conditions and cardiovascular supportHigh blood pressure and circulationAnxiety and nervous heart conditions

He Shou Wu

Reynoutria multiflora

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): tonifies Liver and Kidney yin; used for premature graying of hair and hair lossTCM: anti-aging tonic; associated with longevity in classical texts including Bencao Gangmu (Li Shizhen, 1578)TCM: nourishes blood and essence (jing); used for weakness, dizziness, soreness of lower back and knees

Hibiscus

Hibiscus sabdariffa

West African tradition (Senegal, Mali, Nigeria): hibiscus flower tea (bissap, zobo, sobolo) consumed daily as a cooling tonic and heart tonicAyurvedic medicine uses hibiscus to treat high blood pressure, liver disorders, and as a diureticEgyptian and Sudanese traditional medicine uses karkadeh tea for fever reduction and sore throat

Horsetail

Equisetum arvense

Indigenous North American use (Cherokee, Iroquois): diuretic tea for kidney and bladder conditions and as a remedy for urinary infectionsNative American topical use: scraped stems applied to fresh wounds to stop bleedingTraditional European use (Dioscorides, Roman medicine): wounds, fractures, and bleeding; 'stanching blood' is among the oldest recorded uses

Juniper

Juniperus communis

Urinary tract infections and kidney disordersDigestive problems and poor appetiteArthritis and joint inflammation

Mangosteen

Garcinia mangostana

Traditional Malay medicine used dried pericarp decoction for diarrhea, dysentery, and skin infections for centuriesThai folk medicine uses pericarp for wound healing, skin diseases, and as an astringent for mouth soresCambodian and Indonesian traditional medicine uses bark and root for fever, gonorrhea, and urinary infections

Marshmallow

Althaea officinalis

Respiratory conditions (coughs, bronchitis, sore throat)Digestive inflammation (gastritis, ulcers, colitis)Urinary tract irritation and cystitis

Meadowsweet

Filipendula ulmaria

Pain relief and anti-inflammatory conditionsDigestive disorders and stomach ulcersRheumatism and arthritis

Milk Thistle

Silybum marianum

Liver protection and regenerationTreatment of liver diseases and jaundiceGallbladder disorders and bile flow stimulation

Mullein

Verbascum thapsus

Scrophulariaceae

Respiratory conditions (coughs, bronchitis, asthma)Throat inflammation and laryngitisEar infections and earache

Nettle

Urtica dioica

Arthritis and joint painAllergies and hay feverUrinary tract health and prostate issues

Oregano

Origanum vulgare

Respiratory conditions (coughs, bronchitis, asthma)Digestive disorders and poor appetiteMenstrual irregularities and painful periods

Oregon Grape

Mahonia aquifolium

Skin conditions and eczemaDigestive inflammation and gastritisInfections and antimicrobial applications

Parsley

Petroselinum crispum

Ancient Greek and Roman use: parsley was sacred to the dead, used in funeral rites; Hippocrates prescribed for kidney stones and as a diureticMedieval European monks used parsley for urinary tract complaints, kidney stones, and menstrual irregularitiesAyurvedic tradition uses parsley for urinary disorders, jaundice, and as a digestive carminative

Partridge Berry

Mitchella repens

Pregnancy tonic and labor preparationMenstrual irregularities and painful periodsUrinary tract infections

Pine Needle

Pinus species

Scurvy prevention and vitamin C deficiencyRespiratory conditions (coughs, bronchitis, sinusitis)Urinary tract infections and kidney stones

Plantain

Plantago major

Wounds, cuts, and skin injuriesInsect bites and stingsRespiratory ailments including coughs and bronchitis

Pygeum

Prunus africana

Zulu and Sotho traditional medicine (South Africa): bark decoction for urinary complaints, kidney disease, and stomach disordersCameroonian traditional medicine: treatment of gonorrhea and other STIsEast African traditional medicine: treatment of malaria, fever, and chest pain

Rehmannia

Rehmannia glutinosa

Traditional Chinese medicine: 'Di Huang' — foundational yin tonic; one of the 50 fundamental herbs; used for over 2,500 years; primary herb to replenish Kidney essence (Jing) and nourish Liver bloodLiu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six-Flavor Rehmannia Pill): one of the most widely prescribed Chinese classical formulas worldwide; Shu Di Huang as the chief herb; used for Kidney yin deficiency — tinnitus, blurred vision, sore lower back, night sweats, heat in the palmsZhi Bai Di Huang Wan: Liu Wei formula plus Phellodendron and Anemarrhena for more pronounced heat-clearing yin tonic action in menopausal women

Rose Hips

Rosa canina

Scurvy prevention and vitamin C deficiencyImmune system supportDigestive ailments and diarrhea

Saw Palmetto

Serenoa repens

Urinary tract disorders and difficult urinationProstate enlargement and inflammationReproductive health and libido enhancement

Schisandra

Schisandra chinensis

Liver protection and regenerationLung disorders and chronic coughKidney weakness and frequent urination

Slippery Elm

Ulmus rubra

Digestive disorders (diarrhea, dysentery, stomach ulcers)Respiratory conditions (sore throat, coughs, bronchitis)Skin conditions (wounds, burns, boils, inflammation)

Spearmint

Mentha spicata

Ancient Greek and Roman use: spearmint strewn on floors, used to flavor food, and prescribed by Hippocrates and Dioscorides for nausea and digestive complaintsMedieval European monks cultivated spearmint in physic gardens for digestive disorders, flatulence, and indigestionAyurvedic tradition uses spearmint (pudina) to treat digestive disorders, nausea, hiccups, and as a cooling agent for pitta

Spilanthes / Toothache Plant

Acmella oleracea (syn. Spilanthes acmella, S. oleracea)

Brazilian indigenous use: fresh flower heads applied directly to teeth and gums for toothache — the most universal traditional useIndian Ayurvedic and folk medicine: treatment of toothache, gingivitis, and oral infections; used in traditional dentistryNepalese traditional medicine: treatment of malaria, fever, and stomach parasites

Thyme

Thymus vulgaris

Respiratory conditions (coughs, bronchitis, whooping cough)Digestive complaints and poor appetiteUrinary tract infections

Tribulus

Tribulus terrestris

Ayurveda: Gokshura — used as diuretic, tonic for urinary tract health, and aphrodisiac; part of Dashamoola formulaTCM: Ji Li — liver tonic; used for headache, dizziness, eye redness, and skin conditions from 'liver yang rising'Bulgarian folk medicine: used as male sexual tonic and athlete performance enhancer since 1970s–80s

Uva Ursi

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Urinary tract infections and cystitisKidney and bladder stonesProstate disorders and inflammation

Wheatgrass

Triticum aestivum

Ancient Mesopotamian and Egyptian records suggest consumption of young grain shoots for vitalityModern tradition largely initiated by Ann Wigmore in the 1970s as part of 'Living Foods' diet at the Hippocrates Health InstituteNaturopathic tradition: wheatgrass juice promoted as a 'complete food' and blood-building tonic due to chlorophyll's structural similarity to hemoglobin

Wood Betony

Stachys betonica

Nervous system disorders and anxietyHeadaches and migrainesDigestive weakness and poor appetite

Wormwood

Artemisia absinthium

Digestive disorders and poor appetiteIntestinal parasites and wormsLiver and gallbladder conditions

Yerba Mate

Ilex paraguariensis

Stimulant beverage and energy enhancementMental alertness and focusDigestive aid and appetite stimulant

Disclaimer: For educational purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.