Kidney Stones: Understanding Their Impact and the Role of Pure Organic Barley Powder
- Aileen Fernando
- Aug 23
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 2
Kidney stones are a growing health concern, known for causing intense pain and significant discomfort. With an increasing interest in natural and preventive remedies, pure organic barley powder—extracted from the nutrient-rich barley grass plant—has caught attention for its potential to support kidney health.
Causes of Kidney Stones
People suffer from kidney stones primarily due to a combination of factors. Certain minerals in the urine—like calcium, oxalate, and uric acid—can become highly concentrated and form crystals. These crystals may stick together and develop into hard, painful stones. Learn more about the causes of kidney stones.
Kidney stones form when the balance of minerals and fluids in your urine is disrupted. This imbalance is influenced by various factors, including hydration, diet, genetic risk, body weight, health problems, and sometimes medications. Explore more about what causes kidney stones.
The Role of Barley in Kidney Health
Recent clinical and scientific studies suggest that barley and barley water may help in the prevention and management of kidney stones. However, there is currently no strong clinical evidence that barley or barley grass can directly dissolve existing kidney stones, especially larger stones.
Supportive Studies
Clinical investigations and animal trials have shown that barley—especially as a water infusion—acts as a natural diuretic. This promotes urine flow and may help with the expulsion of small stones or reduce stone formation. A 2024 peer-reviewed study found that both barley and parsley were effective in increasing urine volume and reducing the size of kidney stones in lab animals.
Reference: Aldarwish HA, Bokhari A, Alshammari MM, Alshammari AS, Alharbi AG, Alsabhan SS, Altwiher YK, Aleraidi RA, Almallahi AE, Alshammari MM. Prevention and Management of Urolithiasis With Parsley and Barley Among the Hail Population, Saudi Arabia: Is It Fact or Not? Cureus. 2024 Oct 21;16(10):e71990. doi: 10.7759/cureus.71990. PMID: 39569258; PMCID: PMC11576924.
Human Data
Most of the evidence in humans is anecdotal or based on traditional use. Barley water is recommended in several integrative and traditional medicine practices to support kidney function, reduce inflammation, and possibly lower the risk of new stone formation. Discover the benefits of barley water.
Limitations
Recent medical fact-checks highlight that while barley water can aid urinary health and may help prevent the aggregation of new stones, there is no confirmed clinical proof that barley, barley grass, or barley water can dissolve existing kidney stones in humans. Conventional medicine still relies on hydration, medication, and sometimes surgery for treating stones that are symptomatic or large.
Conclusion: The Promise of Barley for Kidney Health
Barley and its products show promise as preventive or supportive therapies for kidney health and possibly for reducing the risk of stone formation. However, there is no conclusive evidence that barley or barley grass can dissolve kidney stones—especially in severe cases that already produce waves of pain. Always consult a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and treatment.
Pure organic barley powder—derived from the barley grass plant—may support kidney health and help in managing kidney stones. However, it is not a guaranteed cure for the severe pain and complications that kidney stones can cause.
What the Research and Expert Sources Say
Barley and barley water have been widely used as traditional remedies for kidney stones. They work mainly by acting as a natural diuretic, helping to increase urine output, which may aid in flushing out small stones and preventing new ones from forming. Some mineral contents (like vitamin B6 and magnesium in barley) may also help in reducing the formation of calcium oxalate stones. Read more about barley's benefits.
Barley water can be soothing and may assist with passing small stones by promoting urine flow, reducing inflammation, and helping to balance urinary pH. Learn how barley water can help.
However, there is no strong scientific evidence that barley or barley grass powder can dissolve or completely remove all kidney stones, especially larger or impacted stones that cause waves of severe pain or urinary obstruction.
Barley products are best viewed as a supportive or preventive measure, not a replacement for proper medical treatment—especially in cases with severe pain or complications. Conventional medical and surgical treatments remain the main solution for large stones and stones causing severe symptoms.
Barley grass (including pure organic barley powder) may be helpful as a complementary approach for kidney health and may help with prevention and possibly with passing very small stones. But for acute, severe kidney stone pain, or larger stones, it is not a substitute for medical care. Always consult a healthcare professional if you have symptoms of kidney stones or experience waves of severe pain.
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