India, June 11 -- Kidney stones affect millions of people worldwide and are commonly formed when minerals such as calcium and oxalate crystallize inside the urinary tract (1).
While conventional treatment may involve medications, shock-wave therapy, or surgery, researchers have also explored whether certain natural substances could reduce stone formation.
One such approach is Bukolysis, a therapy developed by Filipino Urologist Dr. Eufemio Macalalag Jr., which utilizes young coconut water ("buko") as part of a procedure intended to help reduce urinary stones.
However, experts emphasize that Bukolysis is not currently a standard treatment and requires further scientific validation.
What Is Bukolysis?
Bukolysis combines the Filipino word "buko" (young coconut) and the medical suffix "-lysis," meaning breakdown or dissolution.
The procedure involves the use of sterile young coconut water for renoclysis, where it is introduced into the urinary tract under medical supervision in an attempt to dissolve or flush urinary stones.
It should not be confused with simply drinking coconut water at home.
Why Are Scientists Interested in Coconut Water?
Coconut water naturally contains:
Citrate
Potassium
Magnesium
Organic alkali compounds
Among these, citrate is particularly important because it is a well-known inhibitor of calcium stone formation.
Citrate helps bind calcium, reduces crystal formation, prevents calcium oxalate crystals from clumping together, and may slow stone growth. These properties have led scientists to investigate whether coconut water could play a role in kidney stone prevention.
What Does Scientific Research Show?
A human study from the University of California, Irvine found that consuming coconut water significantly increased urinary citrate by 29%, while also increasing urinary potassium and chloride levels. Importantly, urine volume and pH did not differ significantly from water alone.
Researchers concluded that coconut water increases urinary citrate, a factor known to help reduce the risk of calcium stone formation.
However, the study involved only eight healthy volunteers without kidney stones, and it did not demonstrate that coconut water dissolves existing stones.
Does This Mean Coconut Water Can Dissolve Kidney Stones?
Not necessarily. Current evidence suggests that coconut water may support an environment that is less favorable for stone formation, largely because of its effect on urinary citrate levels.
But there is insufficient high-quality clinical evidence to conclude that drinking coconut water alone can dissolve established kidney stones or replace medical treatment.
Large stones may still require:
Medication
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL)
Ureteroscopy
Other urological procedures
Why Bukolysis Has Generated Interest
Bukolysis represents an innovative example of how naturally occurring compounds might be used therapeutically. The concept is based on using the biochemical properties of coconut water rather than simply its hydration benefits.
Researchers believe such approaches could inspire future minimally invasive therapies, but more robust clinical trials are needed before widespread adoption.
What This Means for Kidney Stone Prevention
Coconut water is a nutritious and hydrating beverage that may help increase urinary citrate levels, an important factor associated with reducing the risk of certain calcium-based kidney stones. However, current scientific evidence does not support the claim that it can dissolve existing kidney stones or replace evidence-based medical treatment.
Researchers believe Bukolysis is an intriguing area of investigation, but more robust clinical studies are needed before it can become part of routine urological practice.
Anyone experiencing severe flank pain, blood in the urine, fever, or suspected kidney stones should seek prompt medical evaluation rather than relying solely on home remedies.