The claim that pumpkin vines can cure stones is false.
Although folk remedies promote pumpkin vine as a stone-dissolving agent, no scientific study has ever validated this effect. Relying solely on such folklore delays proper care.
Therapy must be tailored to stone size, location, shape, and the presence of obstruction or infection. After imaging (KUB film or non-contrast CT) clarifies these features, management options are:
- High fluid intake – increases urinary flow to flush out small stones.
- Moderate exercise – stair-climbing or rope-jumping helps propulsion.
- Drugs – α-blockers (tamsulosin, silodosin) relax the ureter and relieve colic; traditional stone-expelling powders (e.g., Pai-Shi granules, Desmodium compound) may be added.
- Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) – best for renal and upper-ureteral stones; repeated shock waves fragment the calculus, allowing spontaneous passage.
- Surgery – whenever severe obstruction or infection coexists, endoscopic or percutaneous minimally invasive procedures are performed promptly to eliminate the stone and prevent systemic sepsis.
| Aspect | Key Points |
|---|---|
| Pumpkin-vine claim | No scientific evidence; relying on it delays real treatment. |
| Work-up required | X-ray or non-contrast CT to define size, site, shape, obstruction, infection. |
| < 6 mm renal stones | 1. High fluid intake → flush 2. Moderate exercise (stairs, jump rope) 3. α-blockers (tamsulosin, silodosin) + traditional expelling granules |
| Larger / proximal stones | Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) to fragment stone |
| Obstruction ± infection | Immediate endoscopic / percutaneous surgery to relieve blockage and prevent sepsis |