The 10 Best Herbs for Kidney Cleansing

Global Healing Center

If you’re looking for a powerful way to get your body in better health, consider cleansing your kidneys. Along with colon and liver cleansing, kidney cleansing is one of the most basic and necessary detoxes.

Bean shaped organs located along the posterior side of the abdomen, the kidneys work with other organs to regulate blood pressure, increase red blood cell production, and synthesize vitamin D.

If your kidneys don’t function well, they can’t properly filter waste material from your blood. When that happens, toxins that the kidneys should expel in your urine remain in your bloodstream, harming your entire body.

A healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables, exercise, and staying hydrated are essential for supporting optimal kidney function. For a little extra help, consider the following kidney-cleansing herbs.

The 10 Best Kidney Cleansing Herbs

People use a number of time-honored herbs for detoxifying the kidneys. If you want to keep your kidneys healthy, the following 10 herbs are the best of the best.

1. Cranberries

Cranberries aren’t just for holiday meals! Drinking cranberry juice for kidney issues — which include urinary tract infections, kidney infections, and kidney stones — is a well-known health trend. While it’s not an herb per se, cranberries are one of the best things around for your kidneys. They contain “A-type proanthocyanidins,” which have strong antioxidant properties, promote a normal response to inflammation, and deter harmful organisms.^[1] Many people drink cranberry juice for kidney health, but supplements are an excellent alternative.

2. Ginkgo biloba

Ginkgo biloba may protect kidneys from damage caused by toxins.^[2, 3] Experts credit this herb’s antioxidant power for its renoprotective effects. Ginkgo also stimulates certain enzymes that counteract chemical toxins once inside the kidneys.^[3]

3. Hydrangea Root

Hydrangea root was popular among Native Americans and early settlers, who used the plant to promote kidney and bladder health. Hydrangea root acts as a solvent and may smooth the jagged edges of kidney stones. Hydrangea root helps the body use calcium, an action that may discourage kidney stones from forming in the first place.^[4]

4. Horsetail

Horsetail is a common weed with diuretic properties; it’s helpful for increasing urine output to flush the kidneys and urinary tract. It’s also an antioxidant that benefits the kidneys and entire renal system.^[5] Whether consumed as a tea or in a capsule, horsetail is a great herb to add to your diet!

5. Marshmallow Root

As a soothing herb, marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis) may calm the tissues of the urinary tract.^[6] It’s a gentle diuretic that encourages urination.^[7] The mucilage created by marshmallow root is known to be helpful for kidney stones (renal calculi).^[8]

6. Juniper Berry

Juniper berries are an important medicinal plant, according to experts.^[9] Among other health benefits, the berry may promote normal LDL cholesterol levels in kidney tissues. Juniper also protects kidney cells against harmful toxins. The terpenes in juniper, including limonene, pinene, and others, deter harmful organisms.^[10]

7. Uva Ursi

Also called “bearberry,” uva ursi has been used by many cultures. It’s an astringent that can soothe and tone the urinary tract. Research has also supported its traditional use for cleansing the kidneys.^[11]

8. Celery Root

People have used both the root and seeds of celery as a natural diuretic for centuries. What positive feature do diuretics have? They can help your body eliminate toxins by increasing urine output. Celery root is a stimulating tonic for the kidneys as it contains nutrients like potassium and sodium.

9. Dandelion root

Often mistaken as a weed with no useful purpose, dandelion is actually loaded with benefits — both the leaf and the root.^[12] Dandelion root, specifically, is a diuretic and promotes waste elimination.

10. Goldenrod

Goldenrod was used extensively among many Native American tribes for promoting urinary tract health. The herb tones the urinary tract and helps detoxify the kidneys.^[13] It also promotes a normal response to inflammation.