Ayurvedic practices for improving kidney functions- A holistic approach

This phrase may not make any sense to all of us, but it is better to spend a…

Ayurvedic practices for improving kidney functions- A holistic approach

Ayurvedic practices for improving kidney functions- A holistic approach

January 19, 2023 No Comments

This phrase may not make any sense to all of us, but it is better to spend a little time understanding what it means as compared to going through bad health conditions at later stages. With the advent of technology, humanity is still racing to discover solutions for every imaginable human sickness and ailment. Curing cancer, on the other hand, is no laughing matter now because apparently it will be cured some years from now! Still we see that a human being is never fully cured of an ailment without having any side effects. Not just this, but throughout our existence, numerous methods and practices have been tried to heal an individual for serious conditions like Chronic kidney disease, Polycystic Kidney disease, IgA nephropathy and many more which can prove to be deadly if left untreated.

Looking at the deep rooted and rich culture that India has, not only in spices or food but also in medicine, it is a proven fact that healing the Ayurvedic way is much more beneficial for an individual rather than allopathy or advanced modern technology. Now it would be a totally different debate altogether to determine which method or practice would be better in which way but here it is important to understand the study of Ayurveda and why adopting Ayurvedic practices is the best option for improving kidney functioning. With this there have been countless case studies demonstrating Ayurveda’s positive effects on people and how it has proven to be more successful in some circumstances than current medical disciplines on record.

Achieving healthy kidneys with the help of Ayurveda

People are unaware of Ayurveda’s medicinal therapeutic powers when it comes to individuals suffering from serious medical illnesses due to a lack of awareness about it. When treating kidney problems with Ayurvedic medicines, it is vital to define the nature of the disease in terms of its components to determine which area of the organ is primarily affected. As an alternative to dialysis, medications address the deterioration of renal function by treating the Tridoshas, which in Ayurvedic language identify the three primary energies or principles that regulate the operation of our bodies on both a physical and emotional basis.

 Medicines such as Gokhuru and Varuna are extremely important in the Ayurvedic treatment plan for such patients who must adhere to a strict regimen in order to live a healthy lifestyle. They not only look after the activities of the kidney but also treat the surrounding organs that may contribute to the acute disease by enhancing the production of red blood cells in the body. Ayurvedic medicines work miracles, from treating the sickness to completely rejuvenating the body thereby, avoiding any future attacks on it.

Traditionally, Ayurveda states that urine production starts in the colon, but is filtered in the kidneys by the small filters known as Glomeruli. Therefore whenever there is an agni (fire element) imbalance in the body, it impairs the creation and filtering of urine. Waste accumulates in the body as a result of malformed urine. This unwelcome buildup is known as ‘ama sanchaya’ in Ayurvedic terms. (toxin accumulation).

Essential herbs used in Ayurveda

With this there are multiple herbs which are frequently used by Ayurvedic doctors to not only heal your kidneys but to make sure that they strengthen with time. However, numerous processes of treating the other sections take place to ensure that when the problematic location is treated, the complete kidney may be transformed to a healthier state without any negative effects.

Some of them are:-

  1. Giloy– Helps in eliminating the excessive toxic build up in the body.
  2. Turmeric– Helps in eliminating uric acid while reducing the risk of kidney stones.
  3. Triphala– Helps to prevent damage as well as reduced swelling in kidneys.
  4. Varuna-  Helps in increasing urine output as well as control water levels in the body

Apart from these handful of herbs, there are numerous others like Gokshura, Varun, Kaasni, Palaash and many more can be found in Ayurveda, which can aid by repairing damaged kidney tissues and lowering the need for dialysis. These natural medicines have the potential to improve kidney functioning for stages of chronic kidney disease. Ayurvedic treatment focuses on treating the underlying cause of the ailment rather than masking the symptoms. Herbal medications, a particular diet, and lifestyle adjustments should be adopted. Remember that in Ayurveda, there are no fast cures for such problems. To avoid or treat illnesses such as kidney disease, you must first change your way of life. Several formulations and techniques are indicated for preserving kidney function, raising GFR rates, and discontinuing dialysis.

 Ayurvedic practices to inculcate in your daily lives for better kidney functioning.

According to Ayurvedic shastras, the major goal for improving kidney functioning naturally is to promote agni while keeping the medications as gentle on the body as possible. Hence, it is all about how you treat your body at the end of the day. There are a lot of factors and practices that can affect your kidney functioning in a big way. Adopting practices like Yoga can help to promote the ability to deal with stress as well as keep the body in a balanced state. Several yoga poses such as Salamba Bhujangasana, Navasana, Viparita Karani are extremely beneficial for kidney functioning and help the organs to stay healthy for a longer period of time.

There are medically authorized institutes, such as the SR institute of advanced Ayurvedic sciences, where technology is utilized to learn more about Ayurveda and tailor it to each patient’s needs without putting them on dialysis and even without causing any visible side effects. With current technology and Ayurvedic understanding, it is not difficult to envision a future in which a renal failure patient would never require dialysis again. In the future, our old medical techniques will definitely outperform the contemporary technologies in terms of healing critical illnesses known to humankind for which the process has already started.

Can quitting smoking improve kidney function?

Cigarette smoking and renal illness are a dangerous combo. Cardiovascular disease, which can be induced by smoking, impacts negatively on your veins and arteries.Damage to your cardiovascular system can directly damage your kidneys’ capacity to filter your blood.

Therefore quitting smoking in the early stages of CKD can decrease the course of the illness and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.Cutting down smoking can help with tobacco-related health issues, and lower your risk of disease. That implies fewer health issues, some of which are caused by CKD.

Can dehydration affect kidney functions?

Water, in the form of urine, aids in the removal of wastes from your blood. Water also keeps your blood arteries open, allowing vital nutrients to flow easily to your kidneys. However, if you become dehydrated, this delivery method becomes less effective.

Dehydration causes wastes and acids to accumulate in the body, as well as clog the kidneys with muscle proteins , all of which are harmful to the kidneys. Dehydration also contributes to the creation of kidney stones and urinary tract infections, both of which, if not treated promptly, can result in kidney damage. When there is enough water to prevent stone-forming crystals from bonding together, kidney stones develop less easily. Water aids in the dissolution of antibiotics used to treat urinary tract infections, making them more effective. Water also aids in the production of more urine, which aids in the removal of germs.

What should your kidney functions be after the 50’s?

Chronic kidney disease does not show symptoms until it is advanced. Kidney function diminishes with age in virtually everyone, and studies show that the proportion of elderly persons with G.F.R. levels below 60 exceeds 50%. The incidence may climb much higher as the elderly population grows.

Most GFR measurements in older people that go below 60 with being in the range between 45 to 59 range, indicates a slight loss in kidney function. The majority of these seniors will have no protein in their urine or other signs of renal impairment.Therefore it becomes necessary as your age increases, to keep your GFR scores above 60 which would be considered as normal.

Is Ayurvedic medicine safe and effective for treating kidney ailments?

Because kidney illness affects so many people, it is critical that they understand which treatments are safe and will not have any negative consequences on their bodies. Ayurvedic renal disease therapy is the best option since ayurvedic medications for kidney illness have no adverse effects.

It aims at healing the kidneys in a natural way by improving the functioning thereby increasing the output of waste buildup from the body.

What role does yoga play in treating chronic kidney disease?

Yoga is a traditional old practice that consists of yogic physical postures, yogic breathing practices, meditations, and relaxation techniques. Yoga appears to enhance pulse rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and basal metabolic rate in noncommunicable illnesses by reducing sympathetic tone and boosting parasympathetic tone.

Yoga treatment has been found to boost hemoglobin levels in anemic individuals as well as CKD patients. and it may also assist CKD patients improve their Hb%.

What are the top common signs of an unhealthy kidney?

Chronic kidney disease detection can be difficult since the signs and symptoms of the illness appear late, after the condition has advanced and kidney damage has occurred.

Some of the common signs that you should look out for are:-

  1. Difference in urination
  2. Fatigue
  3. Loss of appetite
  4. Itching 
  5. High Blood Pressure