Ash gourd and jaggery mix for kidney stone cure: What urologists say

Ash gourd or winter melon, known as 'kumbalanga' in Malayalam, is a nutrient-rich vegetable that is widely used in Kerala. While its fleshy core and seeds are used to make curries, its skin also transforms into chips and fries in many households. In certain regions, it is also used to prepare sweets, juice and halwas. However, a video claiming that ash gourd juice mixed with jaggery syrup can dissolve kidney stones has been circulating on social media for some time. What's the truth behind it?

Ash gourd-jaggery combo
The video has been widely shared on social mediawith the caption ‘Easy Remedy for Kidney Stones’. Ash gourd contains a high amount of water and fibre, which have a diuretic effect (increased urine production). When the volume of urine increases, there is a chance for smaller kidney stones that are less than five mm to get expelled through urine. Although jaggery could be added to this juice for taste, there aren’t any conclusive scientific evidence to prove that it can dissolve kidney stones.

If the stones are larger, they may even obstruct the urethra and cause severe damage to the kidney. In such cases, the patient may require surgery or lithotripsy. Kidney stones are either calcium oxalate or uric acid. Urgent medical treatment is required if the patient suffers from difficulty urinating or a urinary infection.

Most of the kidney stones are calcium oxalate. Meanwhile, ash gourd contains small amounts of oxalates. Doctors often advise patients with kidney stones to avoid foods containing oxalates. Excessive consumption of ash gourd will do more harm than good. Besides, jaggery will not dissolve kidney stones. Moreover, the sugar in jaggery may even cause kidney stones in some individuals.

What experts say
We consulted urologists to determine whether ash gourd juice mixed with jaggery could dissolve kidney stones. They confirmed that there is no scientific evidence to prove this claim. The experts, however, added that drinking ash gourd juice may expel smaller stones just as plain water could.

Drinking sufficient water and including citric acid in the diet may be effective to some extent. Although ash gourd juice may hydrate the body, it cannot be considered an effective treatment method for kidney stones. Ash gourd juice is highly refreshing and nutrient-dense. However, it isn’t wise to rely on such remedies with no scientific backing when you suffer from severe pain or have stones that are huge in size.