The renella is a sandstone, a set of small crystalline aggregates that can form inside the kidneys, and migrate into the urinary tract and bladder causing colic or urination disorders.
The causes of the origin of the renella can be dietetic, but only in predisposed patients; therefore, depending on the urinary sediments, the doctor may prescribe specific diets. In general, to prevent the formation of gravel, it is advisable to exclude or limit foods such as cola-based drinks or caffeine-rich beverages and coffee. Moreover:
- in the presence of calcium oxalate renella, reduce foods rich in sodium and oxalates. Among the latter are spinach, rhubarb, parsley, portulaca (porcelain herb), chives, beet, beetroot, amaranth, cabbage, green tomatoes, green tea, cocoa powder and chocolate. Vegetables rich in oxalates should be boiled in plenty of acidulated water, in order to facilitate the escape of oxalates; always for preventive purposes, it is recommended to take a calcium carbonate tablet during meals rich in oxalates (it limits intestinal absorption).
- in the presence of uric acid renella, reduce foods rich in purines (seafood, anchovies, sardines in oil, herring, caviar, offal, meat extracts, meat broth, game, dips, meats and fatty fish).
The general advice is to introduce 250-300 ml of liquids every hour, both during the day and, in case of waking up, at night. A greater water supply is indicated in the summer periods and to those who practice physical activity. At least half of the liquids introduced should be represented by water, to avoid the presence of substances contraindicated in the drink.
Natural remedies against gravel
The fight against gravel can take advantage of a large array of natural remedies with diuretic action, to be taken in the form of herbal tea to enhance the urge for diuresis. Drugs with antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory action are also useful. The intake should be distributed throughout the day to ensure a consistently high urinary volume.
Let us now see some examples of herbal teas useful for the prevention of renella (contraindicated in the presence of serious heart or kidney diseases):
| Gramigna (rhizome) | 20% |
| Birch (leaves) | 20% |
| Goldenrod (grass) | 20% |
| Ononide (root) | 20% |
| Licorice (root) | 20% |
3% infusion (3 parts of mixture per 100 of water, then 30 grams per liter). Pour the boiling water over the preparation against the gravel, cover and leave to infuse for 10-15 minutes, filter and take several times a day. | |
| Birch (leaves) | 20% |
| Goldenrod (grass) | 25% |
| Ononide (root) | 25% |
| Ortosiphon (leaves) | 25% |
| Fennel (fruits that is the "seeds") | 5% |
Infusion: 2-3 teaspoons of preparation on 150 ml of water. Pour the boiling water over the mixture against the gravel, cover and leave to infuse for 10-15 minutes, then filter and take several times a day. | |
| Corn (stigmas) | 20 g |
| Fennel (fruits that is the "seeds") | 10 g |
Decoction: boil for 5 minutes on one liter of water. Cool, filter and drink several times a day. | |
| Chicory (root) | 10% |
| Dandelion (root) | 10% |
| Ononide (root) | 10% |
| Watercress (plant) | 10% |
| Fennel (fruits that is the "seeds") | 10% |
| Ceterach (fronds) | 50% |
Decoction: 2-3 teaspoons of preparation (about 15 grams) on 400 ml of water. Boil 3 minutes in 400 ml of water and leave to infuse for 15 minutes. Strain and drink several times a day. | |
The effect of herbal teas is bland if not null for therapeutic purposes; in acute episodes one can instead resort to mother tinctures or to standardized extracts.
