Efficacy and Safety of Herbal Treatments for Kidney Stones: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Abstract
The efficacy and safety of herbal therapy for kidney stones, a common urologic condition that plagues millions of people worldwide, are investigated in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The evidence is pooled from observational studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that have investigated some herbal remedies like Phyllanthus niruri, Uva ursi, and Chanca piedra, among others. It depends on treatment results such as decreased stone size, alleviation of pain, and recurrence rates, as well as on potential side effects of the herbal remedies. Results indicate that a few herbal interventions have been proven to reduce significantly stone size and pain as much as the placebo or control intervention. However, the quality of evidence is inconsistent, with studies of poor methodological quality dominating. Safety profiles of herbal therapies were generally good but had some side effects, implying cautious use. The review promotes use of herbal drugs as adjunctive treatment for kidney stone management but recommends more high-level studies to obtain standardized protocols and safety profiles.
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