Kidneys are the most hardworking organs that work day and night in the body. They flush out dirt and toxins from the body and keep our whole body system clean and active. But we tend to make simple mistakes, such as not drinking enough water and eating a lot of junk food, that can put a lot of pressure on them. According to Ayurveda, keeping your kidneys healthy can help in living a long, healthy life without any worry. In this blog, we will talk about some of the simple steps that to keep them healthy.
What Exactly Does Our Kidney Do?
Kidneys are the filter of your body that helps in removing toxins from the body to keep balance within it. Key functions of the kidneys include:
- Removes waste products from the body: They filter your blood in order to remove all the waste products from your blood and keep it clean.
- Maintains fluid balance: They adjust water levels in your body depending on how hydrated you are.
- Regulates blood pressure: They make sure that the blood pressure remains under control so that your heart is not stressed.
- Produces red blood cells: They cause the production of red blood cells to carry oxygen to your muscles and brain.
What are the early warning signs of kidney damage?
Our kidneys send us some early warning signals that can help in preventing the damage that can happen in the future:
- Foamy/bubbly urine (indicating protein leakage)
- Waking up multiple times at night to urinate
- Mild puffiness around the eyes or swelling in the feet and ankles
- Feeling weaker or more tired than usual
- Dry, persistent, and intensely itchy skin
What Are the Causes of Kidney Damage?
Kidney damage can be caused by multiple reasons, which include the following:
Medical Conditions: If a person has diabetes or hypertension, they can develop kidney issues.
Medications: If a person has any serious disease and he has to take a lot of medicines, then it can also cause kidney damage.
Smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol: It is another important factor that contributes to kidney damage.
Lifestyle: If a person eats a high amount of salt, does not drink enough water, eats unprocessed food, and does not have a proper routine, then he/she may also damage their kidneys.
10 Secret Herbs to Keep Your Kidneys Healthy
The kidneys (mula) play a very important role in the Mutravaha strotas, the urinary channel of the body. The kidneys filter toxins in the body and remove them. If the kidneys do not perform normally, it can cause problems like swelling in the legs, nausea, fatigue, weakness, and insomnia.
These 10 herbs will help you keep your kidneys healthy.
- Punarnava: It is a natural diuretic herb that has been prescribed in Ayurveda for micturition and other urinary problems. It also has anti-inflammatory and rejuvenating properties. It can be used daily to keep kidney functions healthy.
- Palash: It is a tree that bears bright red or orange flowers. These flowers are cool in potency and help in regularizing urine flow. It is also very helpful in relieving a burning sensation during urination.
- Gokshura: The bark of the Gokshura tree is a wonderful herb for treating urinary tract infections and a burning sensation during urination. In micturition, gokshura bark regulates proper flow, and it has also been used for ages to eliminate kidney stones.
- Gudduchi: Charaka has elaborated on the astringent property of Gudduchi, and that makes it a good herb for the treatment of urinary problems. People who have difficulty passing urine can take gudduchi under the guidance of a doctor.
- Varun: Varun is a natural diuretic which promotes regular urination and is very effective in treating kidney stones and other disorders of the kidney. It also purifies blood and strengthens the function of the mutravaha strota.
- Chandan: Chandan or sandalwood has two useful properties for which chandan sherbet is suggested in UTI and pain during passing urine. Sandalwood has natural anti-microbial properties that soothe kidney infections.
- Ginger: For cleansing toxins from the body, ginger has been used for ages. It removes toxins from the kidney and liver. The anti-inflammatory effect of ginger helps in reducing swelling and pain in the kidneys caused by infections.
- Triphala: A combination of three essential rejuveative herbs, Triphala helps in improving all natural functions of the kidney. It strengthens the liver and kidneys, the two main organs in the excretory mechanism of the body.
- Coriander: Coriander also has a soothing effect on the body. It helps in reducing the burning sensation while passing urine. It heals infections in the bladder & ureters. It keeps the kidneys healthy since it is also a natural diuretic.
- Turmeric: Low urine volume, renal failure, and common infections are healed with turmeric. It has multiple benefits, such as reducing the risk of infections, reducing swelling, preventing kidney stone formation, and also healing kidney cysts.
Lifestyle Habits That Can Help In Maintaining Kidney’s Health
Your everyday living plays an extremely important part in the proper functioning and health of your internal system. These are some of the easiest lifestyle choices that help to keep your kidneys healthy:
- Take proper rest: Adequate rest ensures that all the parts of your body get enough time to heal and clean out the waste products generated throughout the day.
- Quit Smoking: The primary effect of smoking is that it constricts blood vessels and reduces your body's circulation.
- Avoid Excess Intake of Liquids: Overloading yourself with liquid can force your body and kidneys to work excessively. It causes your system to accumulate toxins unnecessarily.
- Manage Daily Stress: Taking deep breaths, doing some stretches, or having a few minutes alone can help in managing daily stress.
- Eat Clean: Only eat home-cooked, fresh, and warm food; do not eat refined, processed, and junk food, as it can affect the kidneys severely.
- Exercise daily: Try to go for a walk for 30 minutes; it will keep you active and your kidneys healthy.
When To See A Doctor?
You should immediately see a doctor if you experience:
- If you have unexplained swelling in your legs, ankles, feet, or face
- If you have changes in how often you pee, or foamy/bubbly urine
- You have extreme, ongoing tiredness and brain fog
- You have frequent or severe kidney stones
- Blood in the urine
Conclusion
Kidneys are called the silent workers of the body because they work quietly and do the most important function of the body. Even after knowing how important they are for proper functioning and maintenance of health, people still tend to make mistakes, which makes them weaker.
By taking proper rest, eating clean, quitting smoking, managing stress, and controlling your liquid intake, you can achieve good kidney as well as overall body health.
References
Your Kidneys & How They Work - NIDDK

