Kidney Stone Remedy Advisor
This tool helps you determine which kidney stone remedy might be most suitable for your specific condition based on stone size, symptoms, and budget.
Recommended Remedy
When kidney stones start causing pain, many turn to herbal supplements hoping for a natural fix. Cystone is one of the most talked‑about options, but it’s not the only player on the market. This guide breaks down what Cystone actually contains, how it claims to work, and how it stacks up against other popular remedies.
What is Cystone?
Cystone is a herbal formulation marketed for the prevention and management of kidney stones (urolithiasis). It is manufactured by Himalaya Herbal Healthcare and has been sold in Australia and India for over two decades.
Key Ingredients: Pasanabheda and Shilapushpa
The formula hinges on two botanicals:
- Pasanabheda (scientific name Desmodium gangeticum) is a climbing shrub used in Ayurveda for its diuretic and anti‑inflammatory properties.
- Shilapushpa (scientific name Silphium gratissimum) is a small herb reputed to inhibit crystal aggregation in the urinary tract.
Both herbs are standardized to contain specific flavonoids and saponins that, according to the manufacturer, help dissolve calcium oxalate crystals and promote their safe passage.
How Cystone Is Supposed to Work
The claimed mechanisms are three‑fold:
- Increase urine output, flushing out small stones.
- Inhibit crystal nucleation and aggregation, preventing larger stones from forming.
- Provide antioxidant protection to the renal epithelium, reducing inflammation.
Clinical data are limited to a handful of small‑scale studies conducted in India. One randomized trial (n=72) reported a 30 % reduction in stone recurrence over a six‑month period compared with placebo. The study used a dosage of two tablets daily, each containing 250 mg of the combined extracts.
Comparison Criteria
Before jumping into the table, here’s the checklist we used to evaluate each option:
- Active ingredient(s): Botanical vs synthetic.
- Formulation: Tablet, capsule, liquid.
- Typical dosage: How many pills per day.
- Evidence base: Peer‑reviewed trials, meta‑analyses.
- Safety profile: Reported side effects, contraindications.
- Price (AUD per month): Approximate cost for a 30‑day supply.
- Availability: Over‑the‑counter, prescription, online pharmacy.
Side‑by‑Side Comparison
| Product | Active Ingredient(s) | Form | Typical Dosage | Evidence Base | Safety | Price (AUD/month) | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cystone | Pasanabheda (Desmodium) + Shilapushpa (Silphium) | Tablet (250 mg) | 2 tablets daily | 2 small RCTs (India); anecdotal evidence | Generally safe; mild GI upset reported | ~$30 | Online pharmacies, health‑food stores |
| Phyllanthus niruri (StoneBreaker) | Extract of Phyllanthus niruri leaves | Capsule (350 mg) | 1-2 capsules daily | Several RCTs (Brazil, Mexico) showing 25 % reduction in stone size | Well‑tolerated; rare allergic rash | ~$25 | OTC, Amazon AU, specialty supplement shops |
| Chanca Piedra | Extract of Phyllanthus spp. | Liquid (10 ml) or tablet (300 mg) | 10 ml twice daily or 2 tablets | Meta‑analysis (5 trials) suggests modest stone‑passage aid | Possible liver enzyme elevation at high doses | ~$28 | Online, health‑food stores |
| Ursodeoxycholic Acid (UDCA) | Synthetic bile acid | Capsule (300 mg) | 500 mg twice daily (prescription) | Strong RCT data for cystine stones; limited for calcium oxalate | Diarrhea, rare hepatic toxicity | ~$70 | Prescription only (GP, specialist) |
| Generic Herbal Blend (XYZ Labs) | Mix of horsetail, celery seed, cranberry extract | Tablet (200 mg) | 1 tablet three times daily | Minimal published data; based on traditional use | May interact with anticoagulants | ~$20 | OTC, online retailers |
Pros and Cons of Cystone
Pros
- Combines two botanicals with a long history in Ayurvedic medicine.
- Relatively low price compared with prescription UDCA.
- Easy twice‑daily dosing.
- Available without a prescription across Australian online pharmacies.
Cons
- Evidence is limited to small, non‑blinded studies.
- Potential for mild gastrointestinal upset.
- May not be effective for larger stones (>5 mm) where surgical intervention is required.
Who Might Benefit from Cystone?
If you’ve experienced a single small stone (typically < 5 mm) or have a history of recurrent stones and prefer an over‑the‑counter approach, Cystone could be worth a trial. People with chronic kidney disease, pregnant women, or those on blood‑thinners should consult a clinician before starting any herbal supplement.
Choosing the Right Remedy: Decision Guide
Use the flowchart below to narrow your choice:
- Do you need a prescription? If your doctor has already recommended UDCA, stick with that.
- Are you looking for a single‑ingredient product? Phyllanthus niruri offers a clean, well‑studied extract.
- Is cost a major factor? Generic Herbal Blend or Cystone are the cheapest options.
- Do you have liver concerns? Avoid high‑dose Chanca Piedra and UDCA.
- Do you want the broadest traditional backing? Cystone’s two‑herb blend covers both diuretic and anti‑crystallization actions.
In practice, many users rotate between Cystone and Phyllanthus niruri, monitoring stone passage via periodic ultrasound.
Final Thoughts
There’s no universal “best” kidney‑stone supplement. Cystone stands out for its dual‑herb formula, affordability, and easy access, but the scientific backing trails behind some single‑herb extracts and prescription medicines. Your choice should balance evidence, safety, budget, and personal health conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Cystone dissolve existing kidney stones?
Cystone is marketed to support the natural passage of small stones and to reduce recurrence. It does not physically dissolve larger stones; medical procedures are still needed for stones bigger than 5 mm.
How long should I take Cystone before seeing results?
Most users report noticeable changes after 4-6 weeks of consistent dosing (2 tablets daily). For prevention, a continuous 3‑month course is commonly suggested.
Is Cystone safe for people with diabetes?
Current data do not show a direct impact on blood glucose, but the diuretic effect may increase fluid loss. Diabetic patients should monitor blood sugar and stay well‑hydrated.
Can I combine Cystone with other supplements?
Yes, but avoid overlapping high‑dose herbal diuretics (e.g., dandelion) to prevent electrolyte imbalance. Always discuss combinations with a pharmacist.
Where can I buy authentic Cystone in Australia?
Authorized Australian online pharmacies and major health‑food retailers carry it. Look for the Himalaya logo and batch number to ensure authenticity.
Sarah Riley
October 22, 2025 AT 17:45
Cystone's purported “crystal inhibition” lacks mechanistic validation; the cited RCTs suffer from underpowering and non‑blinded protocols, rendering the efficacy claim speculative at best.
Tammy Sinz
October 28, 2025 AT 20:09
The patient‑centered narrative around Cystone is compelling, yet we must acknowledge the limited sample sizes and the absence of double‑blind controls. Nonetheless, for individuals intolerant of synthetic agents, an herbal adjunct with documented diuretic properties offers a viable bridge. The pharmacodynamics of Pasanabheda and Shilapushpa align with the physiological need for increased urine flow and reduced crystal nucleation, which are critical in stone prophylaxis. Clinicians should weigh these factors against the modest evidence base when advising users.
Christa Wilson
November 3, 2025 AT 22:33
Looks like a solid budget‑friendly option! 😊
John Connolly
November 10, 2025 AT 00:57
Kidney stone management benefits from a multimodal approach that combines lifestyle, hydration, and, when appropriate, pharmacological or herbal adjuncts.
Cystone’s dual‑herb composition targets both diuresis and crystallization pathways, which aligns with the pathophysiological model of calcium oxalate stone formation.
The two randomized trials from India, though modest in scale, reported a statistically significant reduction in stone recurrence, suggesting a potential therapeutic signal.
However, the trials lacked blinding and employed surrogate endpoints, limiting the robustness of the evidence.
In contrast, Phyllanthus niruri has been investigated in several double‑blind studies across Brazil and Mexico, consistently showing a 20‑30 % reduction in stone size.
Chanca Piedra’s meta‑analysis, while broader, reveals only modest benefit and raises concerns about hepatic safety at high doses.
Ursodeoxycholic acid remains the gold‑standard for cystine stones, with strong RCT data, but its cost and prescription requirement make it less accessible for calcium oxalate stones.
From a cost‑effectiveness perspective, Cystone sits near the bottom of the price spectrum, offering a monthly cost of approximately AUD 30.
Safety data for Cystone are favorable, with gastrointestinal upset being the most commonly reported adverse event, and no serious hepatotoxicity observed.
Patients with comorbidities such as chronic kidney disease or on anticoagulants should still seek medical advice before initiating any herbal supplement.
Practical dosing of Cystone-two 250 mg tablets daily-is simple and promotes adherence compared with more complex regimens.
Hydration remains the cornerstone of stone prevention; no supplement can substitute for adequate fluid intake of 2–3 L per day.
Monitoring stone burden with periodic ultrasound can help assess the real‑world effectiveness of any chosen adjunct, including Cystone.
In summary, Cystone offers an affordable, low‑risk option for patients with small, recurrent stones who prefer over‑the‑counter solutions.
Nevertheless, clinicians should frame its use within an evidence‑based plan that includes lifestyle modification and, when necessary, referral for definitive urological intervention.