Blumea balsamifera (sambong) tea as a therapeutic drink for calcium oxalate stones

Abstract

Calcium oxalate stones are among the most prevalent type of kidney stones. Methods of treatment range from surgical removal, shockwave lithotripsy, medical and natural treatment. In the Philippines, consuming tea preparation of Blumea balsamifera is believed to aid in the treatment of kidney stones. The effect of Blumea balsamifera tea in the nucleation of calcium oxalate crystals was studied at 0, 0.5 and 1.0 mg tea preparation per mL of the crystallization solution by UV-Vis spectrophotomery. Induction time decreased with increasing concentration of Blumea balsamifera tea. Further analysis showed that this decrease in induction time is due to a decrease in surface free energy from 20.95 mJ/m2 to 19.48 mJ/m2 and 17.22 mJ/m2 at 0.5 and 1.0 mg/mL, respectively. This decrease in induction time correspond to an increased nucleation rate thus, a large number of smaller crystals are formed. This explains the therapeutic benefits of consuming Blumea balsamifera tea as stone formers would form smaller stones that are easier to eliminate by urination.