Evidence supporting the use of: Pipsissewa
For the health condition: Kidney Stones
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Pipsissewa (Chimaphila umbellata) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly among Native American peoples and European herbalists, as a remedy for urinary tract issues, including kidney stones. The plant was commonly used as a diuretic and tonic for the kidneys and urinary tract, with the belief that it could help "flush out" stones or prevent their formation. Historical texts from the 19th and early 20th centuries, such as the United States Dispensatory and various Eclectic Materia Medica references, mention its use for “gravel” (an old term for kidney or bladder stones) and related conditions. However, there is little to no contemporary scientific research that supports these uses, nor are there modern clinical studies demonstrating efficacy or establishing mechanisms by which Pipsissewa would specifically dissolve or prevent kidney stones. Most modern herbal texts note its traditional use but do not recommend it based on scientific evidence. Therefore, while the use of Pipsissewa for kidney stones is well-documented in traditional medicine, the evidence supporting its effectiveness is very weak by modern standards and is not validated by current scientific research.
Other ingredients used for Kidney Stones
alfalfaapricot
arjun tree
asparagus
barley
black cumin
radish
celery
citric acid
cucumber
dandelion
melon
gokhru
gooseberry
heartwood
hibiscus
horsetail
Indian gum arabic tree
marshmallow
moringa
nettle
orange
potassium
pumpkin
quail egg
rehmannia glutinosa
vitamin B6
watercress
watermelon
mulberry
smilax
goldenrod
root tuber
juniper berries
cistanche
dioscorea
lotus seed
cornsilk
birch
couch grass
sheep's sorrel
hydrangea
cleavers
peach
amaranth
gravel root
soursop
Apple Cider Vinegar
Achyranthes
Aerva lanata
Asam gelugor
Adzuki bean
Alisma
Bermuda Grass
Bicarbonate
Blepharis
Bayleaf
Bean
Black Gram
Banyan
Borassus Palm
Baobab
Bergenia
Cucurbita
Cactus
Chinese Pond Turtle
Chanca Piedra
Coconut Water
Chinese Ligustrum berry
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Chestnut
Colocynth
Currant
eggplant
Euryale seed
Elephant's Head
Phosphate Salt
Prickly Pear Cactus
Snakeroot (unspecified)
Squash
Other health conditions supported by Pipsissewa
Bladder InfectionKidney Stones
Urinary Tract Infections
Wounds and Sores