Dissolve (KS)™

TCM herbal formula for kidney and bladder stones — dissolves and drains stones; diuretic; analgesic; anti-inflammatory; antibiotic; treats shi lin (stone dysuria); relieves renal colic and painful urination

⚠️ Not suitable for stones too large to pass — surgical intervention may be the treatment of choice for acute pain associated with stones greater than 2.5 cm in diameter. Patients with kidney infection or acute pain from kidney stones should seek medical help immediately. Contraindicated during pregnancy and nursing.

CLINICAL APPLICATIONS

* Nephrolithiasis (kidney stones)

* Urolithiasis (bladder stones)

* Painful urination with difficulty initiating or maintaining a good urinary stream; sudden stopping or blockage of urination with passage of stone(s); lower abdominal pain

* Renal colic characterized by excruciating, one-sided, intermittent pain in the flank area that spreads across the abdomen and to the genital area and inner thigh

Background: Nephrolithiasis (kidney stones) and urolithiasis (bladder stones) are formed when there is increased accumulation or decreased elimination of calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, cystine, magnesium ammonium phosphate, and uric acid. As these substances harden to form stones, they cause pain, nausea, vomiting, hematuria, and infection. Optimal treatment requires dissolution and draining of stones, alleviation of symptoms and complications, and prevention of future stones. In Western medicine, if asymptomatic, treatment may not be necessary as risks often outweigh benefits. If symptomatic, alkalinization of the urine may be effective for uric acid stones but not other types — most cases can only be treated with invasive treatments such as surgery or ultrasound disruption therapy. Herbal therapy is effective to both treat and prevent stones.

Key herb-level clinical data:

— Jin Qian Cao (Herba Lysimachiae / Lysimachia): principal stone-dissolving herb — dissolves stones; clears damp-heat in the lower jiao; relieves burning dysuria; antibiotic — inhibits growth of numerous bacteria; aqueous extract potently reduces plasma uric acid in hyperuricemia; clinically: decoction effective in preventing and treating urinary stones (better action against kidney stones than bladder stones); formula with Jin Qian Cao and Hai Jin Sha — 7 patients with urinary tract stones, all eliminated after 10 days

— Hai Jin Sha (Spora Lygodii / Lygodium Spore): principal stone-dissolving herb — dissolves and dispels stones; reduces swelling caused by obstruction

— Shi Wei (Folium Pyrrosiae / Pyrrosia Leaf): principal stone-dissolving herb — softens and dissolves stones; antibiotic — clinically: 50 patients with urinary tract infection (40 acute, 10 chronic) treated with Shi Wei formula in decoction daily for 3–15 packs; complete recovery in 48 cases

— Ze Xie (Rhizoma Alismatis / Alisma): diuretic — promotes urination and facilitates passage and elimination of stones; significantly inhibits urinary calcium oxalate stone formation induced by ethylene glycol and ammonium chloride; inhibits renal stone formation by down-regulating bikunin mRNA expression and decreasing calcium oxalate formation in the kidney

— Zhu Ling (Polyporus): diuretic — significant increase in urine output; increases excretion of sodium, chloride, potassium, and calcium; regulates AQP1, AQP2, AQP3, and V2R expression in kidney medulla

— Fu Ling (Poria): diuretic — significant increase in urine output; promotes urination and flushes out stones; reduces edema and water retention from kidney stone obstruction; bacteriostatic

— Zhi Qiao (Fructus Aurantii / Bitter Orange): activates qi circulation; relieves distension and pressure caused by kidney stones; breaks up stagnant qi to resolve accumulations in the abdomen

— Wei Ling Xian (Radix et Rhizoma Clematidis / Clematis): one of the strongest herbs to enter and open all channels and collaterals; penetrating characteristics break up stagnation to relieve pain from obstruction; anti-inflammatory — blocks production of pro-inflammatory mediators

— Yan Hu Suo (Rhizoma Corydalis / Corydalis): one of the strongest analgesic herbs for pain relief; marked anti-inflammatory effect — reduces swelling and inflammation; clinically: analgesic effect in trigeminal neuropathic pain model

— Chuan Lian Zi (Fructus Toosendan / Toosendan Fruit): antispasmodic — relieves spasms of the smooth muscle of the ureter; anti-inflammatory and analgesic — treats pain associated with blockage of tubes and ducts; clinically: testicular pain, hydrocele testis, blocked fallopian tubes, acute and chronic cholecystitis; significant antibacterial activity (limonoids)

WESTERN THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Dissolves and drains stones — Jin Qian Cao, Hai Jin Sha, Shi Wei (stone dissolution); Ze Xie (calcium oxalate inhibition, bikunin mRNA↓)

* Diuretic — Ze Xie, Zhu Ling, Fu Ling (urine output↑, stone flushing, edema↓)

* Analgesic — Yan Hu Suo (strongest analgesic); Chuan Lian Zi (duct and tube pain); Wei Ling Xian (obstruction pain)

* Anti-inflammatory — Yan Hu Suo (swelling↓); Wei Ling Xian (pro-inflammatory mediators↓); Chuan Lian Zi (anti-inflammatory)

* Antibiotic / antibacterial — Jin Qian Cao (bacteria inhibition); Fu Ling (bacteriostatic); Chuan Lian Zi (antibacterial); Shi Wei (UTI treatment)

* Antispasmodic — Chuan Lian Zi (ureteral smooth muscle spasm↓); Zhi Qiao (qi stagnation, distension↓)

CHINESE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Dissolves stones; treats shi lin (stone dysuria) (Jin Qian Cao, Hai Jin Sha, Shi Wei)

* Promotes normal urination; diuretic (Ze Xie, Zhu Ling, Fu Ling)

* Activates qi circulation; relieves distension and accumulation (Zhi Qiao)

* Opens channels and collaterals; breaks stagnation (Wei Ling Xian)

* Relieves spasms and pain (Yan Hu Suo, Chuan Lian Zi)

DOSAGE

Treatment: 3–4 capsules three times daily on an empty stomach with two glasses of warm water. Dosage may be increased to 6–8 capsules three times daily when necessary. Continue taking herbs until stones are dissolved or passed in the urine.

Maintenance / prevention: 1–2 capsules daily for six months to prevent formation of new stones. Recurrence prevention: 2–3 capsules once daily.

Clinical notes: Patients with kidney stones may be asymptomatic — they may or may not experience pain, bleeding, obstruction, or infection. Asymptomatic patients with confirmed stones may take this formula to dissolve them. Kidney stones without pain usually indicate the stone is still in the kidney; flank pain radiating across the abdomen to the genitals indicates the stone is passing or obstructed in the ureter. If stones are too large for lithotripsy alone, sonic wave therapy (lithotripsy) can break stones into smaller fragments — combine with this formula and drink plenty of fluids to flush fragments. If stones are too large and causing severe pain, surgery may be the best option as herbal treatment may require prolonged time. If stones are small enough to pass, begin this formula — some patients may feel slight pain or discomfort as herbs dispel the stones; continue until stones pass. Pain may occur after rigorous exercise that promotes movement of the stone. Back pain from kidney stones should be differentiated from sprain, strain, or trauma — colicky pain is usually one-sided and radiates to the genitals; X-ray or imaging can confirm.

Supplementary formulas: Kidney or bladder stones with infection and inflammation — use with Herbal ABX. Burning dysuria, dark yellow urine, urinary tract infection — use with V-Support. Kidney or bladder stones with edema — use with Herbal DRX. Excess heat or fever — add Gardenia Complex. Hypertension — use Gastrodia Complex or Gentiana Complex. Flank or back pain and spasms — use with Flex (SC). Pain relief — use with Herbal ANG. Bleeding — add Notoginseng 9. Chronic nephritis, chronic nephrotic syndrome, or proteinuria — use Kidney DTX instead.

Nutrition: Calcium stone patients: avoid high-oxalate foods — rhubarb, spinach (especially combined with calcium-rich foods), nuts, cocoa, tea, and pepper. Uric acid stone patients: avoid foods that increase uric acid — meat, poultry, pork, liver, beef, sardines, meat broth, clams, crabs, peas, various beans, cauliflower, coffee, and tea. Drink 8–10 glasses of water daily — chronic dehydration increases stone formation risk. Potassium citrate makes urine more alkaline and helps flush uric acid — increase fruits and vegetables; reduce protein, eggs, and milk. Vitamin A is essential to prevent stone formation and deposit in the kidneys — increase carrots, yams, apricots, peaches, and mango.

Tao of Nutrition (Dr. Maoshing Ni and Cathy McNease): Recommended foods: corn-silk, water chestnuts, seaweed, beet tops, watermelon, celery, watercress, winter melon, pearl barley, walnuts, watermelon rind, winter melon rind, green tea powder, and distilled water. Drink celery, carrot, watermelon, and water chestnut juice. Drink cornsilk tea — 3–5 glasses daily. Drink tea from beet tops, winter melon rind, and watermelon rind. Take two teaspoons ground walnuts in cornsilk tea. Take one teaspoon green tea powder in warm water three times daily. After consuming any of the above diuretic remedies, do some mild jumping exercise to help loosen up the stones. Avoid spicy foods, fried foods, oily foods, coffee, hard water, spinach, citrus, tomatoes, and spinach combined with tofu or dairy products.

Lifestyle: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help flush out stones. Urinate whenever necessary — do not hold urine. Sitz-baths may be helpful if there is shooting pain in the kidney and bladder areas with fever and chills — if the condition is not alleviated, seek medical help immediately to rule out kidney infection.

CASE STUDIES

— 42-year-old male computer specialist: Kidney stones — medical doctor suggested immediate surgery. Dissolve (KS) for 10 days. Result: stones completely gone at 2-week follow-up. Practitioner noted many colleagues have used Dissolve (KS) on their patients with similar results.

— 38-year-old female: 20-year history of kidney stones — familiar cycle of low back pain, urine retention, stone passage over 5–6 months; in first 2 weeks of cycle; low back pain, lower leg edema, swollen eyes, urine retention, night sweats; kidney stones with pyelonephritis (Western); Kidney yang deficiency. Dissolve (KS) for 3 days. Result: lower leg edema disappeared; slight eye swelling only; night sweats and eye tearing resolved; low back pain diminished; lab analysis negative for kidney stones.

— 43-year-old male (D.B.): Kidney stones diagnosed 5 years prior; severe gripping abdominal pain; BP 125/85, HR 84; shi lin (stone dysuria) with damp-heat. Dissolve (KS) 3 grams 2x/day + dietary and lifestyle recommendations. Result within a few hours: pain diminished. Within 24 hours: several stones passed with mild discomfort only. Significant reduction in pain and recurrence with occasional use.

— 58-year-old male (M.E.): Lower back pain with impaired mobility; kidney stones on imaging; Urinary Bladder damp-heat. Dissolve (KS). Result: significant reduction in symptoms; no longer immobilized by pain; became a convert to Chinese Medicine despite initial skepticism.

— 72-year-old female (former nurse): Long history of kidney stones and kidney infections; 1979 open surgery to remove a "gumball-sized" stone — significant kidney trauma, staph infection, prolonged hospitalization; recurrent stones in both kidneys (calcium phosphate and oxalate) despite lithotripsy. Dissolve (KS) + Herbal ABX + Kidney DTX for 5 months. Result: latest kidney stones completely dissolved; frequency of kidney infections significantly reduced.

— 21-year-old female art gallery manager: Kidney pain (severe at times), lumbar pain, heat sensation; renal lithiasis. Dissolve (KS) for 6 months. Result: complete cessation of heat sensation and pain.

— Female (unnamed): Kidney stones — 5-year history of chronic low back pain, repeatedly in and out of emergency room, treated with painkillers. Dissolve (KS) + 2 homeopathic compositions. Result within 36 hours: kidney stone passed. (Second patient with same condition given same protocol — stone passed within same time frame.)

— 73-year-old female veterinarian: Severe low back and abdominal pain from renal calculi; redness and swelling over right kidney; tenderness on palpation; pain referred along belt channel around lower abdomen; wiry pulse (right side), weak tight kidney pulse; Kidney deficiency with damp-heat in lower jiao and qi obstruction. Dissolve (KS) for 4 weeks. Result: cessation of pain; increased urine flow; X-ray showed decreased stone size in right kidney. Upon discontinuing: severe pain returned, urination scanty. Re-started Dissolve (KS): pain stopped immediately, easy urine flow resumed. Condition normalized 3 months later.

— 25-year-old male computer technician: Left-sided low back pain radiating to left testicle; frequent painful urination with dribbling for 6 days; kidney stones confirmed by EAV; damp-heat in lower jiao. Dissolve (KS) 3 capsules 3x/day with meals for 3 days. Result: low back pain and dysuria completely relieved; urinary frequency and dribbling resolved.

— Female (unnamed): Severe right-sided lumbar "cutting" pain; frequent, painful, yellow urination; kidney stones (Western); lin zheng (dysuria syndrome) with damp-heat in Urinary Bladder. Dissolve (KS) + Ba Zheng San (Eight-Herb Powder for Rectification) for 2 bottles. Result: pain subsided; urine clear; patient felt some stones may have passed.

Related Reading

Also see: Herbal ABX – for kidney or bladder stones with infection and inflammation | V-Support – for burning dysuria and urinary tract infection | Herbal DRX – for stones with edema | Kidney DTX – for chronic nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, or proteinuria | Herbal ANG – for pain relief | Notoginseng 9 – for bleeding | Flex (SC) – for flank or back pain and spasms | Gardenia Complex – for excess heat or fever | Gastrodia Complex – for hypertension | Liver, Kidney & Detox Support Collection.