Cystone Review: Benefits, Dosage & Safety for Kidney Stones
Sep, 21 2025
TL;DR:
- Cystone is a herbal blend from Himalaya aimed at supporting healthy urinary function and preventing kidney stones.
- Key ingredients include Didymocarpus pedicellata, Crataeva nurvala, and Borax, which work together to dissolve crystals and calm inflammation.
- Typical dose: 2 tablets twice a day with meals; many users see results in 2-3 months.
- Side‑effects are rare, but people with severe kidney disease or on blood thinners should check with a doctor first.
- Compared to l‑arginine or standard alkalizing agents, Cystone offers a plant‑based, low‑cost alternative with modest research backing.
What Is Cystone? Ingredients, History & Who Uses It
When you Google "Cystone" the first thing you see is the Himalaya logo and a line about "renal health support." In plain English, Cystone is a dietary supplement that claims to help the kidneys dissolve tiny stone‑forming crystals before they turn into full‑blown kidney stones.
The formula was developed in the early 2000s by Himalaya, a company that grew out of a traditional Ayurvedic pharmacy in India. Their goal was to marry age‑old herbs with modern quality‑control practices. The final product contains six botanicals:
- Didymocarpus pedicellata - a vine used in Ayurveda to break down calcium oxalate crystals.
- Crataeva nurvala - known for its diuretic action, helps flush the urinary tract.
- Rubia cordifolia - supports tissue health and reduces inflammation.
- Tribulus terrestris - mild antioxidant that also aids urine flow.
- Acacia catechu - provides astringent properties, limiting crystal adhesion.
- Borax (sodium borate) - a natural compound that may prevent crystal aggregation.
People who turn to Cystone are usually those who have had a kidney stone before, have a family history of stones, or have been told they excrete high levels of calcium oxalate in urine. It’s marketed as a preventive, not a cure for an active stone.
How It May Help Kidney Stones - Science & Evidence
Kidney stones form when substances like calcium, oxalate, and uric acid become supersaturated in the urine and start to stick together. The most common type is calcium‑oxalate. Cystone’s herb mix targets three steps in that chain:
- Crystal dissolution - Didymocarpus pedicellata has been shown in lab studies to break down calcium oxalate crystals.
- Increased urine flow - Crataeva nurvala’s diuretic effect raises urine volume, diluting stone‑forming salts.
- Reduced inflammation - Rubia cordifolia and Tribulus terrestris lessen irritation in the renal tubules, making it harder for crystals to attach.
Clinical data on Cystone is modest but promising. A randomized, double‑blind trial published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2018) enrolled 120 participants with a history of recurrent stones. Those taking Cystone for 12 weeks had a 30% reduction in urinary calcium‑oxalate supersaturation compared to placebo. Another small study from India (2020) reported that 70% of patients felt “significant improvement” in symptoms like flank pain after three months of use.
It’s crucial to note that these studies are short‑term and involve relatively few participants. No large‑scale, multi‑center trial has yet proven that Cystone can completely prevent a stone episode. However, the mechanisms line up with what urologists recommend: stay hydrated, keep urine dilute, and limit crystal buildup.
Dosage, Usage Tips & Safety Precautions
Putting the supplement into your routine is straightforward, but a few practical points can make the difference between a blank result and a noticeable benefit.
- Standard dosing: The label suggests two tablets twice a day (morning and evening) with a full glass of water. Taking them with meals helps the body absorb the plant extracts.
- Hydration: Cystone isn’t a magic water‑pill. Aim for at least 2‑3L of fluid daily - plain water, herbal teas, or fruit‑infused water are best. More fluid means any dissolved crystals are flushed out.
- Consistency: Results usually appear after 8‑12 weeks of consistent use. Skipping days will reset the urinary chemistry, so treat it like a daily multivitamin.
- When to pause: If you develop a fever, severe flank pain, or notice blood in urine, stop the supplement and seek medical advice. Those signs could mean an active stone that needs imaging.
- Drug interactions: The diuretic component can amplify the effect of prescription diuretics (e.g., furosemide) and cause low potassium. If you’re on blood thinners like warfarin, talk to your GP because some herbs can slightly affect clotting.
- Special populations: Pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid Cystone unless a doctor says it’s safe. People with severe chronic kidney disease (stage4‑5) need medical clearance.
For most healthy adults, the supplement is inexpensive - a bottle of 60 tablets costs about AUD35 in Australia and lasts one month at the recommended dose.
Cystone Compared to Other Natural Remedies
If you’re already looking at natural options, you’ll likely encounter three main categories: alkaline agents (like potassium citrate), herbal blends (Cystone, Phyllanthus niruri), and dietary tweaks (low‑oxalate diet). Below is a quick visual comparison.
| Feature | Cystone (Himalaya) | Potassium Citrate (Prescription) | Phyllanthus niruri (Stonebreaker) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Action | Herbal crystal dissolution + diuresis | Alkalinizes urine, reduces calcium binding | Increases urine flow, possible antioxidant |
| Evidence Strength | Small‑scale trials, lab data | Large RCTs, FDA‑approved | Limited human studies |
| Cost (AUD per month) | ≈35 | ≈80-120 (depends on dosage) | ≈30 (raw herb powder) |
| Side‑effects | Rare, mild GI upset | Kidney irritation, hyperkalemia | May cause liver enzyme changes in rare cases |
| Availability in Australia | Pharmacies, online stores | Prescription only | Health food shops, online |
From a cost‑benefit perspective, Cystone sits in a sweet spot for people who prefer an over‑the‑counter option with a modest evidence base. It won’t replace a doctor‑prescribed citrate if you have a high risk of recurrence, but it can be a useful complement.
Next Steps & Troubleshooting
Now that you’ve got the basics, decide how you want to move forward:
- If you’re a first‑time stone former: Start with Cystone plus a hydration plan. Re‑check urine analysis after three months.
- If you’ve had multiple episodes: Talk to a urologist about urine chemistry. They might suggest citrate therapy; you can still add Cystone if they approve.
- If you experience no change after 12 weeks: Review your fluid intake, diet, and dosage adherence. Consider a urine stone analysis to identify a different composition (e.g., uric acid) that Cystone may not target.
- If you notice side‑effects: Stop the supplement, stay hydrated, and seek medical advice. Most reactions are mild and resolve quickly.
Remember, supplements are a piece of the puzzle, not the whole picture. Pairing Cystone with lifestyle tweaks-like limiting salty foods, reducing animal protein, and maintaining a healthy weight-bolsters the odds of staying stone‑free.
Whether you’re curious, cautious, or already convinced, Cystone offers a low‑risk, plant‑based approach that aligns with many people’s preference for natural health solutions. Give it a try for a few months, track your progress, and adjust based on what your body tells you.
Steven Shu
September 21, 2025 AT 05:58Cystone's ingredient list is actually pretty solid-Didymocarpus and Crataeva have real lab data backing their crystal-disrupting effects. Most people don’t realize that calcium oxalate stones aren’t just about calcium intake; it’s the oxalate overload and poor urine flow that really matter. This isn’t magic, but it’s one of the few OTC options that actually targets the mechanism.
Rose Macaulay
September 22, 2025 AT 05:55I’ve been taking this for 4 months now and my flank pain has basically vanished. I drink 3L of water daily and I swear it’s the combo that did it. No more ER trips.
Michael Harris
September 22, 2025 AT 19:43Let’s be real-this is just Ayurvedic snake oil wrapped in a lab coat. The 2018 study had 120 people and was funded by Himalaya. The placebo group didn’t even get hydration counseling. If this worked, urologists wouldn’t be prescribing potassium citrate like it’s candy.
Prema Amrita
September 22, 2025 AT 21:25As someone from India who grew up with these herbs, I’ve seen families use Crataeva for generations. The science is still catching up. I’ve known people who avoided surgery because they used Cystone + water. Not a cure, but a real tool.
Don’t dismiss tradition because it’s not FDA-approved. Modern medicine started somewhere too.
Hudson Owen
September 23, 2025 AT 07:58I appreciate the balanced overview. The table comparing Cystone to potassium citrate and Phyllanthus niruri is particularly helpful. While I remain cautious about herbal supplements, the mechanistic plausibility and low risk profile make this a reasonable adjunct for low-to-moderate risk individuals. I would, however, emphasize that no supplement replaces clinical evaluation for recurrent stone formers.
Alex Rose
September 23, 2025 AT 23:20‘Modest research backing’ is a euphemism for ‘no robust evidence.’ The term ‘crystal dissolution’ is also misleading-these herbs don’t dissolve existing stones. They may reduce supersaturation, which is a different ballgame. This reads like a sponsored post disguised as medical advice.
Vasudha Menia
September 24, 2025 AT 15:59Yesss!! I started this after my second stone last year 😭 I was scared to take pills but this felt gentle. Took 10 weeks to feel anything but now I’m 6 months in and zero pain. Drink water, take Cystone, don’t stress. You got this 💪❤️
Bryan Heathcote
September 25, 2025 AT 10:35Anyone tried pairing this with magnesium citrate? I’ve read that magnesium binds oxalate in the gut, reducing absorption. I’ve been doing both for 3 months and my 24-hour urine oxalate dropped 40%. Just curious if others have seen synergy.
Milind Caspar
September 25, 2025 AT 23:52Let us not be deceived by the soothing language of herbalism. Borax is a known toxin in high doses. The FDA has flagged sodium borate for reproductive toxicity. Himalaya’s quality control may be impeccable, but the ingredient itself is not safe for long-term ingestion. This is not medicine-it is a legal loophole dressed in cultural nostalgia. The 70% improvement statistic? Likely placebo effect amplified by confirmation bias. Do not trust what you cannot fully analyze.
Sabrina Aida
September 26, 2025 AT 00:07Oh please. Another ‘natural remedy’ that’s just a placebo with a Sanskrit name. If this worked, why is kidney stone surgery a $20 billion industry? Why do hospitals still have urology wards? Because real medicine works. This is what happens when people confuse spirituality with science.
Snehal Ranjan
September 26, 2025 AT 19:52As an Indian who has seen grandparents use this for decades I must say the wisdom of our ancestors was never meant to be judged by Western clinical trials alone. The body responds to rhythm and consistency not just molecules. Cystone is not a drug but a ritual of care. Drink water. Take it with meals. Be patient. Let the herbs work with your body not against it. This is not about proving efficacy-it is about honoring balance.
Robert Burruss
September 27, 2025 AT 10:58It’s interesting how we assign moral weight to ‘natural’ versus ‘pharmaceutical.’ Is potassium citrate inherently superior because it’s synthesized in a lab, while Cystone is dismissed as ‘herbal fluff’? Both are chemical interventions. The real question is: does it reduce recurrence? The data says yes, modestly. The emotional resistance to plant-based solutions says more about our cultural biases than the science.
Mim Scala
September 28, 2025 AT 00:27My dad took this after his first stone in ‘09. Said it helped. He’s 78 now, stone-free. Never had surgery. He drinks tea, walks daily, and takes two tablets. Not a miracle. Just… consistent care. Sometimes the quiet things work.
Alanah Marie Cam
September 28, 2025 AT 04:34Thank you for including the comparison table. It’s rare to see a post that doesn’t just hype a product but contextualizes it within the broader landscape of care. For patients navigating a confusing medical system, this kind of clarity is invaluable. Cystone isn’t a panacea-but it’s a thoughtful option among many.
Ellen Frida
September 29, 2025 AT 02:36so like… what if stones are just your soul’s way of saying you need to release control?? like maybe the crystals are emotional blockages?? i mean i read that borax is in glass cleaner but also in crystals for chakras?? maybe its a spiritual detox?? 🤔✨
Anna S.
September 30, 2025 AT 00:08Wow. Just… wow. You’re telling people to take a chemical used in cleaning products because ‘it’s natural’? This isn’t wellness, it’s negligence. People die from kidney infections because they trust this junk instead of seeing a doctor. You’re not helping. You’re enabling.