This week we will be discussing the Kidney as well as an herb that most have in their homes all the time, parsley. As always, this information is meant to be for informational purposes. It is not meant to replace proper medical treatment, but to show the historical use of herbs. If you choose to treat yourself using any of these methods, please do so with the full knowledge of your physician or health care provider.

Also, if you know of anyone that could benefit from this information, please feel free to copy or print it, but please keep it intact.

With that all said and done, lets go on to the kidneys.

Contents

The Kidney

Interesting Facts

Parsley

The Kidney

The kidney is an organ that belongs to the urinary (elimination) system. It is shaped like a kidney bean, is approximately 4 inches in length, 2 inches in width, and 1-½ inches thick. There are two of them in the human body and they are located just above the belt line on each side of the spine, with the right kidney slightly higher than the left.

The best thing you can do for your kidneys is to drink plenty of pure water. 8-10 glasses per day is the normal standard, but each individual may vary in their need. Some recommend Reverse Osmosis water and others recommend distilled water. If you choose distilled, it is my personal opinion that you should also supplement your diet with a good multi-vitamin as the distilled will leach minerals from your system.

Some of the things you can do to yourself to worsen the function of your kidneys include drinking coffee, tea (black or orange pekoe), and soda. The tannic acid found in these products is the culprit. Dyes from colored drinks such as kool-aid, fluoride pills, toothpaste, or water laced with fluoride are also harmful to the kidneys. Excessive meats and diuretics, salt, milk, and alcoholic beverages, as well as antacids that contain calcium are also detrimental to the health of the kidneys. If your system is too acidic, this can also hamper the function of the kidneys.

CONDITIONS and SYMPTOMS:

Albumin in urine – this is a protein produced by the liver. It is necessary in maintaining the body’s water balance and it also helps with the thickness of the blood and also circulation. If albumin is found in the urine, it can indicate kidney problems.

Bright’s Disease – This is inflammation of the kidneys (nephritis). Of which there are several types.

Dropped Kidney – This condition usually occurs in thin or overly thin people. The kidney becomes unattached from its position in the body and drops to a lower position. This is also known as a floating kidney. Surgery is required to put it back in place.

Glomerulonephritis – This is an inflammation of the glomeruli that results in the sudden appearance of blood in the urine, with clumps of red blood cells (casts) and variable amounts of protein in the urine.

Gout – This is caused by the presence of excessive uric acid in the joints.

Nephritis – This is an inflammation or malfunctioning of the kidneys.

Polycystic kidney disease - This is believed to be a hereditary disease. It is a disorder in which many cysts form in both kidneys. While the kidney may be larger than normal, its functionality is reduced.

Pyelonephritis – This is a bacterial infection of one or both kidneys.

Stones/Gravel – These are caused by excessive uric acid or unusable calcium from either inorganic calcium (such as synthetic vitamins/minerals or cow’s milk) or a problem with digesting calcium (the digestion of calcium requires vit. D, magnesium, and a heightened level of hydrochloric acid or HCL).

Renal failure - This is a rapid decline in the kidney’s ability to clear the blood of toxic substances, which leads to the accumulation of metabolic waste products, such as urea, in the blood.

HYPERACTIVE (Overactive) CONDITION:

Excessive urination can drain minerals from the body, which in turn can cause a mineral deficiency.

HYPOACTIVE Under active) CONDITION:

Retaining fluids can put stress on the heart and raise blood pressure. Excessive accumulation of chemical wastes and toxins in the blood stream. Infections. Stones. Tumors.

Location of the kidneys in different modalities:

Kinesiology:
On both sides of the waist, just above the beltline. When muscle testing; use the right hand on each side of the waist, one side at a time while extending the opposite arm.

Iridology:
Kidneys are located in both eyes. Right eye at 5:30 to 5:50 and in the left eye at 6:10 to 6:30. Also a yellow discoloration in the iris can indicate excessive uric acid.

Reflexology:
In the middle of the arch on both feet.

SUPPLEMENTS, VITAMINS, MINERALS, HERBS commonly used for the kidneys:

Vitamins:

A, B-12, B-6, C, and E.

Minerals:

Potassium, Chlorine, Iron, Manganese, Magnesium.

Herbs:

Cornsilk – flushes out sediment.

Alfalfa – helps to alkalize the kidneys.

Uva Ursi – tones and nourishes the urinary system.

Juniper berries – tones and strengthens.

Parsley – nature’s diuretic.

Hydrangea – diuretic and also helps dissolve stones.

Herbal Combinations: (Nature’s Sunshine Products)

Urinary Maintenance – for infection, diuretic, and strengthens.

Kidney Activator - Encourages proper water balance in body tissues, supports body mechanisms designed to prevent (not cure) stone formation, soothes kidneys and bladder.

Kidney Activator, Chinese – Promotes kidney function, may help clear retained water, supports the urinary tract,
may support joint health.

JP-X – this is a Dr. John Christopher formula that stimulates urine production that is especially good for men.

KB-C – this is another Chinese herb formula recommended for those loosing minerals.

Homeopathics (NSP):

Bedwetting – used for all reasons for bedwetting. Good for children.

Other things you can do for the kidneys:
Cranberries – for most conditions of the kidney (except cystitis), cranberries are acidic and this keeps bacteria from forming in the urethra, the bladder, and the kidneys.

Lemon Juice – do not sweeten. Lemon juice acts as an astringent, it smoothes and shrinks stones. Fresh lemon juice has been used by many to flush the kidneys.

Lemon Cleansing Fast:
3 qts. Reverse Osmosis water
1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 cup pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon capsicum (cayenne pepper)

Sources:

Mary’s Herbs; Patton, PA
The Merck Manual of Medical Information; Pocket Books division of Simon and Schuster Inc.: New York, NY, 1997
H.E.L.P.; League City, TX

INTERESTING FACTS

1) Here are 5 things you can do to help with your digestion, without the use of drugs.

Eat your proteins first. Proteins need more hydrochloric acid to properly digest. If you fill your stomach with carbohydrate foods first, the amount of hydrochloric acid may not be enough to properly digest the proteins. In this case the undigested protein will remain undigested.

If you eat salad and bread with your meal, eat them with your meal or last, but never first.

Eat smaller meals. Take your time, relax, and chew your food to the point that you could drink it

Avoid eating raw vegetables and fruits at the same meal. The enzyme requirements to digest each are different.

          Eat yogurt and other lactic acid foods with every meal.     Some of these foods are; Sauerkraut, sourdough bread, cottage cheese, kefir, garlic, and tofu. They will help digestion and also help prevent intestinal putrefaction.

Use a full spectrum enzyme product and a probiotic supplement. This will aid in the digestion of your meals and replace the friendly flora (bacteria) that is so necessary for good health in you body.

 

2) Vitaminin addition to it’s more widely known effect on skeletal growth. Vitamin D  (calcitriol) has recently been shown essential for the growth of soft tissue beneficial effects on almost all the organ systems of the body and is required for the normal cardiovascular, reproductive, and neural functions. It has a positive effect on the immune system and it influences the release of hormones from the endocrine glands.
     Through its anti-tumor activity, it inhibits leukemia, and cancers of the colon, kidney, breast, and prostate. Vitamin D may be extremely useful in the management of osteoporosis, endocrinopathies, perinatal growth retardation, psoriasis, transplantation, and neoplasia.
Nutrition Research, 1999, vol. 19, iss. 11, pp 1683-1718.

3) Extracts of St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) are widely and successfully used in the treatment of depression. A study looked into the effect of hypericum extract on digoxin (a cardiovascular steroid used in the treatment of certain heart diseases, especially congestive heart failure). After digoxin was administered, 10 days of treatment with hypericum extract resulted in a 25% decrease in digoxin. This underscores the need for physicians to be aware of potential drug-herb interactions.
Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 1999, Vol. 66, Iss. 4, pp. 338-345.

Parsley
More than a Garnish

Parsley, a member of the carrot and parsley family, has several popular species. The curly French parsley, cultivated as an annual, is preferred by many chefs because of its rich flavor. Plain leaf parsley resembles "fool’s parsley," which is poisonous and sometimes infests gardens. Therefore, a word of caution to inexperienced herb gatherers—don’t pick anything that looks like parsley unless you are absolutely sure of what it is.

To harvest, pick parsley on a daily basis. To dry this herb for use as a food flavoring, spread your days picking of this herb in one thick layer on a tray, and chop into fine pieces when the parsley has dried. To preserve this plant for later use, simply chop the fresh plants and pack them in ice cube trays with enough water to cover them. Store the trays in plastic bags in the freezer until used.

The first mention of parsley’s history comes from Sardinia, Turkey, Algeria, and Lebanon, where parsley grows wild. Other historical records describe the Greek’s use of parsley in making garlands, crowns, and wreaths to award visitors in athletic games and winners of Greek Olympic contests. At the Greek banquets, bouquets of the leaves were hung around the necks of the people to absorb the fumes of the wine.

Parsley, a safe and effective emmenagogue, contains rich aromatic amounts of apiol which stimulates urinary activity. In addition to apiol, parsley contains chlorophyll and measurable amounts of calcium, potassium, iron, thiamin, and riboflavin. In addition it contains richer amounts of vitamin C than can be found in oranges and more iron than any other cultivated plant known to man. The list of parsley’s nutrients also includes moderate amounts of vitamin A, niacin, chlorine, phosphorus, sulfur, magnesium, and silicon.

Because of its rich aromatic-based chlorophyll content, parsley is used with garlic to neutralize the pungent smell of allicin, also an aromatic compound.

Parsley promotes well-being by treating many ailments. Parsley leaves and seeds effectively reduce fever, aid sluggish digestion, and stimulate the appetite. Parsley has also been used to counter over-activity of the thyroid (probably due to its diuretic effect and abundance of potassium, magnesium, and B vitamins). In addition, this herb has helped treat gallstones, cancer, syphilis, gonorrhea, stroke, and cystitis, as well as liver and spleen conditions.

Using fresh parsley juice and tea provides help in treating other health problems such as asthma, jaundice, coughs, and inflammation and crustation of the eyelids. In addition, parsley also stimulates menstruation.

Because the plant is high in sodium and potassium electrolytes, it is useful as a kidney tonic for maintaining fluid balance. Use caution, however, when consuming parsley if the kidneys are inflamed or sore. Parsley contains a volatile oil which stimulates the kidneys, causing an increase in urinary output. Similarly, people with extremely low blood pressure and slow circulation should avoid the use of parsley. Exercise care when using this herb after giving birth, since parsley dries up a lactating mother’s milk.

General use is two capsules 2-3 times daily.

Sources:

A Modern Herbal, Vol. II by M. Grieve (New York: Dover Publications, Inc).
Indian Herbology of North America by Alma R. Hutchens, Canada Catalogue No. 615, 321 R S 164.
An American Herbal, Using Plants for Health by Nelson Coon (Emmaus, Pennsylvania: Rodale Press).
"A Spring of Life" by Dr. John Christopher in The Herbalist (March 1978).
Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics by Albert Y. Leung (New York: John Wiley & Sons).
Herbal Medications by David G. Spoerke Jr. (Santa Barbara, California: Woodbridge Press Publishing Co.).
Parsley" by Emil R. Pierson in The Herbalist (July 1977).
The Honest Herbal by Varro R. Tyler, Ph. D. (Philidelphia: Joe. F. Stickley Co.).
Today’s Herbs, Vol. II, No. 3, Nov. 1981.