Essential Oils For Kidney Health

Essential oils are primarily used in aromatherapy to support kidney health by promoting detoxification, reducing inflammation, and managing related symptoms like stress or fluid retention. Some oils are noted for diuretic or protective properties, whilst others exert antispasmodic properties, thereby helping the kidneys to easily pass kidney stones.

This article lists a good number of nephroprotective (kidney-protecting) essential oils for you to consider.

It also provides a couple of essential oil recipes you might like to consider making. These recipes are intended for diluting in a suitable carrier oil so that they can be applied topically to the lower portion of your back, above the kidneys. Once diluted, this blend can also be applied to the belly to potentially support bladder health.

Essential Oils For Kidney Support

There are a good number of aromatherapy oils that have been used throughout the ages for kidney health.

Some of the best essential oils for renal and urinary function are as follows:

Juniper Berry Essential Oil / Juniperus communis Essential Oil: Cleansing and detoxifying, it supports healthy kidney and urinary tract function.

Rosemary Essential Oil / Rosmarinus officinalis Essential Oil: Possesses diuretic properties that may promote the elimination of toxins through urine. Research also suggests potential nephroprotective (kidney-protecting) effects. [Organic Rosemary Essential Oil is also available.]

Organic Lemon Essential Oil / Citrus limon Essential Oil: Rich in antioxidants, it is used to support detoxification and protect against oxidative stress in the kidneys and liver.

Cypress Essential Oil / Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf Essential Oil: Valued for enhancing circulation and promoting lymphatic drainage, which may assist in flushing waste from the body. [Organic Cypress Essential Oil is also available.]

Lavender Essential Oil / Lavandula angustifolia Essential Oil]: Studied for its ability to reduce oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in kidney tissue. In clinical settings, it is used via aromatherapy to help hemodialysis patients manage anxiety, pain from needle insertion, and uremic pruritus (skin itching). [Organic Lavender Essential Oil also available.]

Frankincense Serata Essential Oil / Boswellia serata Essential Oil: Known for anti-inflammatory (alogistic) properties that may help reduce swelling and pressure on vital organs. (If your budget permits, also consider Helichrysum Essential Oil, which is profoundly anti-inflammatory.) [Organic Frankincense Serata Essential Oil is also available.]

Myrrh Essential Oil / Commiphora Myrrha Essential Oil: Research indicates it may mitigate damage from renal ischemia (restricted blood flow) by reducing inflammation and preventing cell death (apoptosis) in the kidneys. [Organic Myrrh Essential Oil is also available.]

Diuretic Essential Oils

One of the key ways that aromatherapy oils support kidney and bladder health is through their diuretic action.

The best diuretic essential oils, commonly used to help flush the kidneys, and reduce water retention and bloating, include:

• Juniper Berry Essential Oil – powerful diuretic used for fluid retention & detoxification
• Cypress Essential Oil – lymphatic drainage & reducing swelling [Cypress [Blue] Essential Oil is also available]
• Organic Grapefruit Essential Oil – natural diuretic and lymphatic stimulant – reduces excess water retention & flushes out toxins. Stimulate the kidneys, reduces bloating, & aids in breaking down cellulite by improving circulation
• Geranium Essential Oil – similar action to Organic Grapefruit Essential Oil
• Frankincense Neglecta Essential Oil – profoundly anti-inflammatory as well as diuretic
• Cedar Leaf Essential Oil – a beautifully aromatic oil that is excellent for oedema & flushing out the kidneys

These aromatherapy oils are thought to stimulate the lymphatic system and kidney function, assisting the body to eliminate excess fluids and toxins. 

Other notable options include:

• Rosemary Essential Oil
• Lemon Essential Oil
• Cedarwood Essential Oil [Organic Cedarwood Essential Oil]
• Ginger Essential Oil [Organic Ginger Essential Oil]

Renal Colic & The Passage Of Kidney Stones

A few aromatherapy oils act as smooth muscle relaxants. These essential oils are incredibly important when it comes to easing the impacts of kidney stones, especially when they are being eliminated.

Essential oils known for their ability to relax smooth muscles, reducing spasms associated with kidney stones and supporting general renal health, include:

• Sweet Marjoram Essential Oil [Wild Marjoram Essential Oil also available]
• Sweet Basil Essential Oil [Organic Sweet Basil Essential Oil]
• Lavender Essential Oil
• Chamomile Roman Essential Oil [Organic Chamomile Roman Essential Oil & Wild Crafted Chamomile Roman Essential Oil]
• Helichrysum Essential Oil [Organic Helichrysum Essential Oil & Wild Crafted Helichrysum Essential Oil]

However, the aromatherapy oil that is considered by many to be the most effective for renal colic and the passage of kidney stones is Khella Essential Oil…

Khella Essential Oil

Khella Essential Oil is a powerful antispasmodic, traditionally used to support the respiratory and renal system. A deeply relaxing aromatherapy oil, it reduces systemic stress, permitting the body to significantly reduce stress and function normally.

It has been traditionally used to treat renal colic (pain from kidney stones), and the facilitation and easing of kidney stone elimination. This is because it contains unique compounds like khellin and visnagin, which act as potent smooth muscle relaxants.

Khella Essential Oil is, however, only suitable for intermittent use, and should be avoided by those with liver disease and those who take blood thinners.

Kidney Support Essential Oil Recipe:

This Kidney Support Essential Oil Recipe may help to support kidney and bladder health.

To create your Kidney Support Essential Oil add the following essential oils together, at the quantities stated. Then dilute your essential oil blend with a suitable carrier oil, prior to topical application. [Please see the dilution ratios at the end of this article.]

Kidney Detox Essential Oil Blend Recipe:

This Kidney Detox Essential Oil Blend recipe may help to support kidney and bladder health, whilst also potentially assisting the body to eliminate toxins and to more smoothly release kidney stones.

• Khella Essential Oil – 30%
• Organic Lemon Essential Oil (also supports liver detoxification and support, which is very helpful used in conjunction with Khella Essential Oil) – 20%
• Cypress Essential Oil – 10%
• Juniper Berry Essential Oil – 10%
• Helichrysum Essential Oil or Frankincense Serrata Essential Oil – 20%

This essential oil blend must be diluted in a suitable carrier oil prior to topical application. [Please see the safe dilution ratios below.]

Diluting Your Essential Oil Blends

Using Arnica Oil [or Organic Arnica Oil] as your base oil is a good choice as it is thought to promote healing and reduce swelling. However, it must be avoided if you are on blood thinners.

Most carrier oils are suitable for diluting these essential oil blends. So, if you would prefer to use your favourite carrier oil, this would most likely be fine. *You can always check online first to be absolutely sure.

Dilute your essential oil blend at 3%. Do so by adding your essential oil blend at the following ratios:

• c. 75 drops of essential oil blend to 100ml of carrier oil
• c. 40 drops of essential oil blend to 50ml of carrier oil
• c. 25 drops of essential oil blend to 30ml of carrier oil

*Please see website disclaimer in the footer.

Topical Application

Apply topically to the lower portion of your back, above the kidneys. Also apply to your belly to potentially support bladder health.

Make sure you massage the oil in thoroughly. Warmth helps the skin absorb the oils more efficiently.

Please note, excess oil on the surface of the skin can damage fabrics.