Integrative Approach of Yoga and Naturopathy as Adjuvant Therapy for Nephrolithiasis - A Narrative Review

Abstract

Background: Chronic kidney stones are common and often recur after the first episode. Patients develop new stones within a few years, even after receiving proper treatments and diet modifications. Management of kidney stones includes pain control, shock wave treatment, endoscopic removal, and preventive drugs, but the recurrence rate is high. Materials and Methods: A narrative review was conducted searching PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar from 2015 to 2024. The terms related to chronic nephrolithiasis, naturopathy, yoga, herbal medicine, diet, and hydrotherapy were used for the search. Of 245 papers searched, 42 that matched the aims were included (23 preclinical, 12 clinical, and 7 review articles). Results: Several studies showed that regularly drinking citrus juices, especially lemon juice, can raise citrate levels in the urine and lower the chance of new calcium oxalate stones. Herbal mixtures containing Cynodon dactylon and other plants reduced stone forming crystals in animal studies and improved stone passage or urine risk markers in human trials with a smaller sample size. Yoga based programs and simple hydrotherapy, when added to usual medical care, were reported to ease symptoms, improve sleep and well being, and support kidney function. Conclusion: Naturopathy and yoga can be safely added to standard allopathic treatment for chronic kidney stones and can help to reduce recurrence by improving diet, fluids, herbs, and lifestyle, but need stronger evidence from larger trials..