Want to feel strong and full of energy? The secret is in supporting your kidneys.
The kidneys are a pair of organs, each about the size of a fist, located in back of the abdomen, approximately in line with the waist. Their main function is to filter the blood. Every day, your kidneys filter about 120 to 150 quarts of blood to produce about 1 to 2 quarts of waste products and extra fluid. Each kidney contains around one million nephrons (these are the microscopic filters) to remove the wastes that come from the normal breakdown of active tissues, like muscles, and from food. Whatever food the body does not use for energy or repair is sent to the blood, and if they were not removed by the kidneys, the wastes would build up in the blood and damage the body. As the kidneys filter the wastes out of the blood, this creates urine which is transported down the ureter tubes and into the bladder.
The kidneys also control fluid balance and regulate electrolytes in the blood. In addition to removing wastes, the kidneys measure out certain minerals, like sodium, potassium, and phosphorus, and return them back to the blood. The proper balance of these minerals is what determines the pH of the body and is necessary for vital functions.
Furthermore, the kidneys release important hormones: Renin (regulates blood pressure), Erythropoietin (stimulates the bone marrow to make red blood cells), and Calcitriol (the active form of vitamin D which helps maintain calcium for the bones).
Symptoms of a kidney imbalance can include backaches, especially of the low back, kidney stones, blood pressure issues, edema and swelling, ear problems, loss of hair on the head, joint problems, gout, and lack of energy.
Probably, the most beneficial remedy for kidney function is to drink water! Your kidneys will have a hard time filtering wastes into urine if they do not have enough water in which to put the wastes once they take them out of the blood. Also, because the kidneys affect electrolyte and mineral balance which affects your energy levels and your bones, if you are not drinking enough water, and if you are drinking liquids that strip your minerals (think drinks like pop, coffee, and hydration drinks with fake sugars and chemical additives), then you will lack energy, and your joints will ache! Aim to drink half your body weight in ounces per day of clean, pure water!
Remedies
A number of herbs offer support and nutrition for balancing kidney function. Consider Kidney Activator, Kidney Drainage, Chinese KB-C, Urinary Maintenance, Parsley, and Cornsilk.
Essential oils that are helpful include: Juniper, EndoFlex, and JuvaFlex. Apply 1-2 drops of your chosen oil over the kidney area on the back or in the center of the bottom of each foot.
Homeopathic remedies to take note of are Berberis vulgaris, Nat phos, and Nitric acid.
The emotions of the kidneys have to do with fear, anxiety, indecisiveness, not feeling supported, or lacking a secure foundation.
When these emotions are present, they block the flow of energy through the kidneys and can manifest into physical ailments. Recognizing these emotions and taking action to make life changes can be very powerful in healing. Additionally, there are flower remedies available to assist in balancing these emotions. Here are a few: Aspen for unknown fears and anxiety; Cerato for doubt and depending on advice; Larch for fear of failure; Mimulus for specific and known fears; Red Chestnut for fear and worry for others; and Scleranthus for indecision and wavering between two choices.
Working with the meridians, or the energy pathways, for the kidneys and its partner, the bladder, will aid in restoring energy flow to those organs and the body areas that they affect. To trace the Bladder Meridian, place your fingertips on the inside of each of your eyes. Now, begin moving your fingertips up over your head, down your back and legs, and down to the outside of each little toe. To trace the Kidney Meridian, place your fingertips on the bottom of the center area on the balls of your feet on both sides of your body. Now, move your fingertips up the front of the body, ending when you reach the hollow area below each collar bone. It is best to trace each meridian pathway three times, tracing on both sides of the body.
So, if you struggle with anxiety or fear; if you can’t seem to make a decision; if your back hurts and your joints ache, it is time to nourish your kidneys and enable them to be the best filters for you that they can be!
Kidney Cleansing Recipes
The Kidneys are like gentle old souls and prefer simple cleanses that are easy and completed in a short period of time, rather than long more intense cleanses like those for parasites and the bowels.
Kidney Cleanse #1 – One to two days of watermelon fasting; that’s right, all you eat for 2 days is seeded watermelon, the other kind isn’t even healthy! You can still drink water or herbal teas, but no food. This is a great summer rinse, and the kidneys just love it! It’s a great idea to eat the white seeds, because they are great for the reproductive system. Some folks, like Bessheen, even juice the watermelon with the inner rind and white seeds included. “It’s very strengthening!”
Kidney Cleanse #2 – This one is great for people who ache all the time! Remember, what is understood around the world in traditional healing arts, the kidneys rule the structure, and when there is a problem with the joints, bones, back, muscles etc., it’s time to support and heal the urinary system! Start with one good urinary formula such as Urinary Maintenance, Kidney Activator, or Kidney Drainage. Follow the instructions on the bottle or touch base with your natural health consultant. While doing the aforementioned, drink 1/2 c. fresh lemon juice per day in your drinking water, and use Hannah Krueger’s Kidney Tea, drinking one strong quart per day! This can be done for 3 days to 3 weeks. Longer than 3 weeks could become draining to your kidney vitality. Those who have tried it ache a lot less or not at all!
Kidney Cleanse #3 – This cleanse is good for those with tendencies toward infections with the kidneys and/or bladder system. JP-X is a hands down favorite urinary infection formula. It is often taken 2 caps 3 times per day. Additionally a good friendly bacteria is used like Probiotic 11; this is also taken 2 caps 3 times per day. Then, the oil of juniper is applied to the back and lower abdominal area by means of a roller bottle diluted with base oil; this is applied 3x a day. This fights infection and/or tendency for infection: 10 days is recommended. If infections persist, it’s time to come in for a 15 minute appointment and see if you have one of 3 problematic parasites that live in the urinary system and cause repeated infections: these parasites are resistant to antibiotics!
