Have you ever been shot? Perhaps you have been kicked really hard in the groin? Or maybe you have given birth to a child before? If you answered yes to any of the proceeding questions (and hopefully not all three) then you have experienced a pain that has been likened to another type of pain – that of passing a kidney stone.

For reasons that medical community is still scratching their heads over, it seems that the number of people in the United States with kidney stones has been on the rise for the last 30 years. In the late 1970s, less than 4 percent of the population had the stone-forming disease. By the early 1990s, the portion of the population with the disease had increased to more than 5 percent.

So what causes a kidney stone?

Much like the increase in cases of kidney stones is still yet to be determined, the root cause of kidney stones is still a mystery to doctors. It is known that specific foods can promote stone formation in certain individuals with a predisposition for them, but doctors agree that no one food type is responsible. So where does that leave the unfortunate few who do find themselves with kidney stones?

While modern medicine is certainly a marvel and has not only made our lives easy but also saved them, in terms of kidney stones, aside from mitigating the pain, there is little that doctors can do. And it is for this reason that we have seen such a keen interest in natural ways to deal with this naturally painful event.

Which begs the question – what are some natural ways to dissolve kidney stones and hopefully save yourself some agony?

Glad you asked:

Magnesium – While calcium seems to get all the attention in many Americans diets, often it is a magnesium deficiency that they are facing. Next time you find yourself in the health aisle, you might want to consider picking up a magnesium supplement. Studies have shown that magnesium can reduce kidney stones about 92 percent.

Dandelion Root – While your health store is a safe bet for dandelion root, many people are surprised to find that they can simply pull a dandelion root out of the ground (easier when the ground is soaked), clean it and make tea. This root works to cleanse the kidneys as well as the whole body.

Pomegranate Juice – Sure pomegranates are delicious, but their juice is also incredibly beneficial to the body. The juice can be used to make a healthy smoothie to help break down kidney stones.

Basil – A popular ingredient in many dishes, basil is also beneficial in preventing and reducing kidney stones. Basil can be made into a tea that is a great kidney toner, and a teaspoon of basil juice with raw honey is an effective treatment to help clear up kidney stones.