Using essential oils for kidney failure may sound unrealistic as no home remedies will work once the kidneys fail. But, these natural remedies can help prevent kidney failure if you start using them on time.
Kidney failure occurs when your kidneys can no longer work the way they should — excreting wastes from your body. It’s a severe condition that refers to the organs’ lack of ability to remove toxins from your body. [1]
Kidneys are the most important organs of your body. They filter the toxins and send them to the bladder, concentrate the urine, and maintain the fluid balance of your body. [1]
When your kidney fails to do its job, your body becomes full of toxins. If left untreated, it could be life-threatening. So, it’s important to keep your kidneys healthy.
This article looks into some essential oils for kidney failure that may help you maintain healthy kidneys. These oils may also reduce some of the kidney diseases that can cause kidney failures.
Remember, these essential oils may keep your kidneys healthy, but can’t cure chronic kidney disease. You must ask for medical attention if you see any of the symptoms of kidney failure.
Some Essential Oils for Kidney Health
1. Fennel Essential Oil
Fennel essential oil is popular for promoting good digestive health. It can relieve gas, constipation, digestive problems, spasms, etc. [3]
This essential oil is rich in antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. [4]
It acts as a diuretic for your kidneys, increasing the volume of urine. It can flush out all the toxins, wastes, and even kidney stones to keep you healthy. [5]
Note: Some properties in fennel may act like estrogen. So, women who have uterine cancer or breast cancer must not take this oil in a large amount.
2. Juniper Essential Oil
Juniper oil comes from the aerial parts of the juniper stems, shrubs, flowers, and leaves through steam distillation.
Like fennel oil, this one is also diuretic by nature. It’s particularly useful for those who have an accumulation of water in their body.
Juniper oil helps the kidneys flush out the urine frequently and keeps them healthy. [6] The oil can also ease swelling due to kidney failure.
3. German Chamomile Oil
German chamomile oil is rich in antioxidants. It can kill the free radicals in your body. [7]
The oil has so many therapeutic properties to promote human health. Its anticancer components can stop the growth of cancer cells. The best part is, that they don’t even harm the cells of kidneys and other cancerous organs.
You can also use German chamomile oil to flush out toxins from your body.
4. Lemon Essential Oil
Comes from the citrus fruit, the lemon essential oil is rich in anti-inflammatory components. It can reduce pain and inflammation due to kidney stones.
The oil is a detoxifier. It can reduce the chance of kidney stone growth.
As lemon is diuretic in nature, its oil can also increase the urine volume. Thus, it can excrete the toxins out of your body and keep you healthy. [8]
5. Helichrysum Essential Oil
This essential oil originates from the helichrysum flower. It’s quite popular for reducing inflammation, migraine pain, enhancing your immune system, etc. [9]
Helichrysum oil is a natural detoxifier. So, it can flush out the toxins from your body and reduce the threat of kidney stones.
The oil can also help you if you’re suffering from excruciating pain due to kidney stones.
How to Use Essential Oils for Kidneys
You can use essential oils using different methods to promote healthy kidneys. They are good for topical application, inhalation, and even internal consumption.
Here are some ways of using essential oils to promote kidney health:
Topical Application: You can massage your kidney area with essential oils. Take any essential oil and dilute them with a carrier oil. You can dilute about 3-5 ml of essential oil to every 100 ml of carrier oil. Gently massage the oil until your skin absorbs the oil.
Inhalation: Pour some essential oils into a diffuser and inhale the aroma. It’s the safest way to let the oils get into your bloodstream. A diffuser can release pure essential oil into the air without altering its chemical components.
Ingestion: Internal ingestion can also help your bloodstream to bring healing properties to the urinary tract quickly.
Mix 6 drops of each juniper and German chamomile oil with 2 drops of fennel oil. Put 5 drops of this mix in a gelatin capsule. Fill the capsule with healthy fatty oil and ingest it with water.
Note: Internal ingestion of essential oils may not be suitable for everyone. Don’t forget to discuss this with your physician before you ingest essential oils.
Things to Keep in Mind While Using Essential Oils
Essential oils are natural and safe. But, they must be handled with proper caution, especially when you use them for your kidneys. If you don’t use them with proper care, they can be harmful to your health.
- Always dilute the oils with a suitable carrier oil before any topical application.
- Citrus oil such as lemon oil can make your skin photosensitive. Do not put them on your skin before you go to direct sunlight.
- Excessive consumption of essential oils can create a problem for your health. Use them with proper caution.
- If you are on medication, always ask your doctor before ingesting essential oils.
Causes & Symptoms of Kidney Failures
There are several reasons for kidney failure. It can be kidney stones, high blood pressure, and even dehydration. Any physical condition that interferes with your urination can cause kidney failure.
Possible causes of kidney failures:
- Kidney stones.
- Prostate cancer.
- Bladder cancer.
- A heart attack.
- Dehydration.
- Sepsis.
- Alcohol & drugs.
- Diabetes etc.
During kidney failure, various symptoms may occur. Some patients may not even feel any symptoms. Most of the time, there is a sudden kidney failure that creates an emergency.
Possible symptoms of kidney failure are:
- Throbbing pain in one or both kidneys.
- Producing a reduced amount of urine.
- Shortness of breath.
- Swelling of ankles, legs, feet.
- Excessive fatigue and drowsiness.
- Nausea.
- Seizures.
- High blood pressure.
Kidney failure is a serious disease and may need dialysis or a kidney transplant. It’s a life-threatening condition that needs to be treated as early as possible. [2]
But you can prevent your kidneys from failing by bringing some changes in your lifestyle. A balanced diet with the use of some essential oils may help you to keep your kidneys healthy.
When to See a Doctor
Acute kidney failure is a life-threatening situation. It can occur suddenly, and you may not get the chance of proper treatment. Thus, it’s better to see a doctor as soon as you feel any symptoms of kidney failure.
Make an appointment with a physician if you see the following symptoms:
- You experience less urination.
- Direct damage to your kidneys.
- You have severe dehydration.
- Severe pain in kidneys.
Bottom Line
Kidney failure is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly. It can make permanent damage to your kidneys and put your life at risk.
Dialysis or a kidney transplant may save your life, but these are quite expensive. Hence, you must take preventive measures to avoid kidney failure.
Drink enough water and follow a healthy diet to keep your kidneys healthy and functional. You can also make use of these essential oils to reduce some of the causes of kidney damage.
Make an appointment with a doctor if you see the slightest symptoms of kidney damage.
Read Next: 17 Home Remedies for Kidney Infection: Causes and Prevention Tips
