If you consume adequate fluids, vegetable and fruit juices,  and especially water, the kidneys are self-cleansing.

But, many herbs can improve kidney function. Most herbs do so in preventing common kidney and urinary-tract infections or by acting as a diuretic to flush out excess fluid and kidney stones. Some herbs act in more of a preventive capacity, some in an ongoing health-boosting capacity and others as treatments of existing kidney problems.

There are also foods and vitamins that are useful in cleansing the kidneys.  These are included below.

Herbs

Some kidney cleanses are based on herbal remedies, such as:

• Dandelion root and leaves
• Marshmallow root
• Juniper
• Nettles
• Parsley
• Red clover
• Ginger
• Goldenrod

Foods

Other kidney cleanses emphasize certain foods, including:

• Beet juice
• Watermelon
• Lemon juice
• Cranberry juice
• Pumpkin seeds
• Smoothies
• Ginger
• Turmeric

Vitamins

Some proponents recommend incorporating the following vitamins and minerals into a kidney cleanse:

• Vitamin B2
• Vitamin B6
• Magnesium

Pregnant or nursing women and children and people with kidney disease shouldn’t try a kidney cleanse.  If you’re considering the use of a kidney cleanse or supplement, talk with your primary care provider first.  Avoiding or delaying standard care can have serious consequences.