Natural Remedies for Polycystic Kidney Disease

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is caused by cysts and polyps that form on or around the kidneys. It is an inherited disease that can cause kidney failure if left untreated. While there are many medical options when it comes to treating the disease, these options may be supplemented by natural remedies to speed the healing process and relieve symptoms.

  1. Function

    • Natural remedies tend to help clean out the kidneys or relieve PKD symptoms. They are designed to slow the progress of the disease, since there is no cure.

    Types

    • You can treat PKD with herbal remedies and behavior modifications. Both options can have a dramatic impact on your symptoms.

    Herbal Remedies

    • Herbs like buchu and barberry improve immune function when drunk as a tea. They also can help prevent inflammation in the kidneys.

    Behavior Modification

    • Drinking water and transitioning to a low-protein, low-sodium diet also may slow the effects of high blood pressure, a common symptom of PKD. Stopping smoking, increasing exercise and reducing stress is also crucial to treatment.

    Warning

    • PKD should not be treated exclusively with natural remedies. You must have regular doctor's visits and use prescribed medications. Do not use natural remedies without consulting your doctor to see how they will impact your medicinal treatments.

    Time Frame

    • PKD is a chronic disease, and according to the Mayo Clinic, most people with PKD experience some type of kidney failure by the time they are 60. However, if you treat the disease with every means necessary, you may slow this time frame down.