Kidney trouble has been part of my life since childhood, when an infection went untreated long enough to damage my whole renal system. Herbs changed that for me, and kidney cases have been a big part of my practice ever since.
One of the best ways to get healing herbs right into a struggling organ is a fomentation: hot towels soaked in a strong herbal tea, laid over the area and covered to hold in the heat, then changed as they cool. Fomentations work beautifully, but they are messy and time consuming, and few people will actually set them up and keep them going.
A salve pack does the same job without the fuss. The herbs are already in the salve; you spread it on flannel, lay it over the kidneys, cover it and add heat. This salve was developed for chronic or inflamed kidneys. Its herbs support urine production and the health of the kidney itself.
What a Good Kidney Salve Contains
A good salve for the kidneys might contain these five herbs:
- Parsley Root, 2 parts. The lead herb. A remarkable aid for the whole urinary system, and Dr. Christopher paired it with Juniper to get the urine flowing.
- Juniper Berries, 1 part. Clears passive congestion from the kidneys and removes waste through them, and it strengthens the kidneys, the bladder and the urinary passages.
- Marshmallow Root, 1 part. Soothing to inflamed kidneys and bladder, it relaxes the urinary passages and eases pain, and it helps gravel pass smoothly.
- Ginger Root, 1 part. Brings circulation to the area so the other herbs can do their work.
- Burdock Root, 1 part. One of the best blood cleansers in nature. It increases the flow of urine and relieves congestion in the lymph.
“Parts” can be any measure you like, as long as you use the same one for every herb.
Putting It Together
Fully extract the herbs in extra virgin olive oil. Most of my salves go into a 150-degree oven for three hours; then I swap the spent herbs for fresh ones and do it again, three times through in all. Strain the oil and thicken it with beeswax.
How to Use It
- Spread the salve on a piece of flannel folded in two layers.
- Lay the flannel, salve side down, over the kidney area, with a sheet of plastic wrap on the outside.
- Cover with a towel and a heating pad for 45 minutes to an hour before bed.
- Leave the pack on all night, and repeat as needed.
For more on caring for the kidneys, see Herbal Support for the Kidneys and Kidney Flushing Light to Intense.
This is shared for educational purposes, from my own study and experience. It is not medical advice.
