Why is your kidney health so important? Well, your kidneys play a vital role in detoxification by removing toxins from your blood. They also remove excess fluid from your body, help to balance your blood pressure, and so much more.
Supporting healthy kidney function is important. When the kidneys become overworked, other key detoxification organs, such as the liver, become overburdened. Overworked kidneys can also contribute to kidney stones, urinary tract infections, and kidney disease.
In this guide, we’ll cover all of the best essential oils for kidney health and how to use them. We’ll also answer your most frequently asked questions about healthy kidney function.
The Best Essential Oils for Kidney Health
Clearly, taking a proactive approach to supporting healthy kidney function is important. Essential oils can play a key role in maintaining kidney function, as well as for relieving the symptoms of kidney stones and kidney disease.
Let’s take a look at the best essential oils for kidney health:
Lavender
Lavender is calming and soothing, so it can help manage the pain of kidney stones. It also contains important antioxidants that assist with healthy metabolism in the kidneys and liver, so it’s an excellent choice for supporting healthy kidney function.
Frankincense
Frankincense reduces inflammation in the kidneys to improve kidney health. It may also prevent the formation of kidney stones.
Grapefruit
Grapefruit essential oil is an effective diuretic, so it can assist the kidneys with removing excess fluid and toxins from the body. It also has disinfectant properties, which fight the bacteria that cause urinary tract and renal infections.
Peppermint
Peppermint is an excellent detoxifier for liver and kidneys.
Rosemary
Pure rosemary essential oil may help to heal kidney damage by reducing the amount of protein in the urine.
Chamomile
Chamomile essential oil is an effective pain reliever, so it’s useful for those who are dealing with painful kidney stones and infections.
Cypress
Cypress is an essential oil that supports kidney health by promoting urinary flow. It also has additional health benefits, including assisting lymphatic drainage and circulation.
Geranium
Geranium essential oil is often used in skincare for its antibacterial, antiseptic, and antimicrobial properties. All of those benefits are fantastic for fighting UTIs and kidney infections, too. It’s also beneficial for foot and leg swelling caused by edema.
Juniper Berry
Juniper berry is an excellent detoxifier and diuretic.
Lemongrass
Lemongrass can assist with bladder and kidney stones. It also supports the lymphatic system to help with detoxification, which takes some of the burden off of overworked kidneys. It’s also an excellent pain reliever for those suffering from kidney stones.
Oregano
Oregano essential oil has amazing antibiotic properties, which makes it an excellent choice for those suffering from UTIs or kidney infections. It also has anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties.
Fennel
Fennel can help to detox the liver, kidneys, and blood. It’s also useful for relieving pain or blood in the urine due to kidney stones. Fennel actually contains compounds that can break down existing kidney stones.
Wintergreen
Wintergreen can support kidney function by reducing inflammation and removing excess waste products, fluid, and salt from the body. This is an excellent essential oil to use when you’re doing a kidney cleanse.
Lemon Oil
Lemon essential oil improves overall kidney function. It also detoxifies the kidneys and liver and may be helpful for breaking down kidney stones. It’s stimulating and calming properties also make it a popular oil for lifting the mood when you’re dieting. It’s also a fantastic oil to use when you’re doing a cleanse or a 3-day fast for detoxification and weight loss.
Helichrysum Oil
This oil helps to detoxify the kidneys and reduce the risk of kidney stones. It’s also an excellent anti-inflammatory and diuretic, so it will make it easier to pass stones if you already have them.
Clove
Clove is an immune system strengthener, pain reliever, and it supports good digestion. Due to its healing properties, it may help to reverse kidney damage and help them regain normal function. It also has antibacterial properties that aid in killing the bacteria that cause UTIs.
How to Use Essential Oils for Kidney Health
If you would like to try essential oils for kidney health, pick up to five from the list above. Choose the ones that seem to match your symptoms the best. You can use them in one of the following ways:
- Topically: There are lots of ways to use essential oils topically, but keep in mind that they should always be diluted with a carrier oil to prevent skin irritation. You can simply squirt two drops of each oil you want to use in your hand with a dropper add some carrier oil, and rub it on your lower back where your kidneys are. Or, add your chosen oils to a massage oil or bath oil.
- Aromatherapy: Using a diffuser to distribute your essential oils into the air is a lovely way to receive their health benefits. But, keep in mind that pets can have bad reactions to certain essential oils in the air. Be sure to do your research before using this method if you have a pet in the home.
Keep in mind that, although they are natural remedies, essential oils can have side effects. They can also interact with certain medications and supplements.
It’s always a good idea to do your research and consult with a pro before working with them, especially if you have a health condition or take medication.
What to Look for When Choosing Essential Oils
When choosing essential oils, always purchase pure essential oils from a reputable company. doTerra essential oil blends or Young Living Essential Oils are both good choices, but there are many companies that offer high quality oils.
Keep in mind that therapeutic grade essential oils aren’t always pure. Instead, look for oils that are clearly labeled as 100% pure and free of any additives.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kidney Health
- What do the kidneys do?
If you’ve ever had problems with your kidneys, you already know that poor kidney function can have a major impact on your health. That’s because they’re some of the busiest organs in your body with a variety of important jobs to do.
Here’s what these multitasking, hardworking little bean-shaped organs do:
- Filter waste from your blood
- Remove wastes and extra fluid from your body
- Make red blood cells
- Regulate your electrolytes
- Help to regulate your blood pressure
- Maintain your body’s pH level
- Excrete waste like ammonia and urea through urine
- Produce several hormones, including renin, erythropoietin, and calcitriol
- Support bone health by producing vitamin D
- What are the symptoms of poor kidney function?
Whew! With a job description like that, it’s no wonder that poor kidney function can have a major impact on how you feel.
Here are some signs that your kidneys might not functioning at their best:
- Infrequent or weak urination
- Edema (swelling from water retention) especially around the ankles
- Difficulty breathing due to fluid buildup in the chest
- Urinary tract infections related to kidney inflammation
- What are kidney stones?
Kidney stones are a common medical condition. They are caused by mineral or protein by-products in the urine. Excess salt in the diet could also be a contributing factor.
The most common type of kidney stone is a solid piece of calcium. Other types of kidney stones include struvite stones made of magnesium and ammonia and crystalline stones made of cystine.
Kidney stones often pass through the urine unnoticed. But, sometimes they are too large to pass and they get stuck in the ureter, bladder, or urethra.
When this happens the flow of urine becomes blocked, leading to intense pain in the lower back. The pain is often accompanied by blood in the urine and lightheadedness that sometimes leads to fainting.
Typical Western treatment includes pain medication, surgery, and/or the use of an acoustic pulse to break up the stone. Of course, you should consult with your health care professional if you suspect that you have kidney stones or any other kidney issue.
- What is kidney disease?
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a condition that involves the gradual loss of kidney function over time. As the disease progresses, wastes build up in your body and blood, leading to illness.
People with kidney disease often suffer from high blood pressure, nerve damage, weak bones, anemia, and poor nutritional health.
Chronic kidney disease can be caused by diabetes, high blood pressure, and other chronic health issues. Early detection and treatment is essential for slowing the progression of the disease and maintaining quality of life.
Symptoms of kidney problems include lack of energy and focus, poor appetite, insomnia, muscle cramps, edema, puffiness around the eyes, and frequent urination.
If you suspect that you may have kidney problems, you should consult with your health care professional immediately.
Wrapping Things Up
Clearly, the health of your kidneys is super important. Complications with your kidney health, such as UTIs, kidney stones, and kidney disease, can have a dramatic impact on your health. Thankfully, essential oils can not only help to support your kidney function, but they can also help to recover from complications in a safe and natural way.