Natural Treatments for Bladder Infections

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Natural Treatments for Bladder Infections

 

by Susun S. Weed

_Excerpted from her book New Menopausal Years, the Wise Woman Way,

Alternative Approaches for Women 30-90_ (http://www.susunweed.com/)

 

 

" If you let that fiery wise blood just sit there in your belly, great

granddaughter, " admonishes Grandmother Growth, " you'll get the urge to

quench that

heat. You'll get a tickle, a twinge, an urgent call. But you won't have the

moisture you need. It's boiled away. It's gone up in steam.

 

" So I'll say it once more: circulate your wise blood, granddaughter. Spiral

it around and up to your crown. Take action on your anger. Pleasure yourself.

And you'll be one of those old crones, like me, whose eyes sparkle with

mirth and flash with intention. "

 

Bladder infections are also known as cystitis, urethritis, and UTIs

(urinary tract infections). When bacteria grow in the bladder, the resulting

infection usually causes symptoms such as: a burning sensation during voiding,

overwhelming urgency, frequent but minuscule urinations, incontinence, bloody

urine, and pelvic pain. Up to 25 percent of bladder infections in

post-menopausal

women are silent or symptomless.

 

Bacteria enter the bladder in three primary ways: when feces are spread to

the bladder opening (such as wiping from back to front after toileting), when

the tube leading to the bladder is irritated or bruised (as from use of a

diaphragm, pelvic surgery, or prolonged/vigorous vaginal penetration), or when

there is an in-dwelling catheter.

 

The thinning and shrinking of reproductive and bladder tissues that may

occur in the post-menopausal years contributes to bladder infections in older

women, as does lessening of vaginal acidity.

 

Sometimes tiny ulcerations appear in the wall of the bladder; this is called

interstitial cystitis (IC). Some of the remedies in this article are

contraindicated for women with interstitial cystitis.

 

Engage the Energy

 

Flow, flow, flow. Head off that bladder infection by drinking a glass of

water hourly as soon as you feel the first urgency or burning. It is

tempting to

stint on drinking if you find yourself unexpectedly incontinent, but don't.

Bladder infections only make incontinence worse.

 

Urine is ideally neutral to slightly acidic (pH 5.8-pH 7). Very acidic urine

(below pH 5.5) encourages infections. An established infection gives rise to

alkaline urine (pH 7.5 or higher), which causes stinging and burning. Test

your urine with pH paper at any time except first thing in the morning.

Cranberry juice lowers pH; vitamin C raises it.

 

Cantharis is a homeopathic remedy for scalding urine.

 

Nourish and Tonify

 

Cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon) contain substances that kill bacteria

and make your bladder wall so slippery that any escaping bacteria can't latch

on and thrive there. Unsweetened cranberry juice (or concentrate) is the most

effective form. (The sugar or corn syrup in cranberry cocktail-type juices and

cran-apple juices can feed the infection.) Drink freely, at least a glass a

day, up to a quart/liter a day for acute infections unless your urine's pH is

already low.

 

Pelvic floor exercises help prevent and relieve bladder infections too! Try

this one: After urinating, close your eyes, relax, breathe out, and see if

you can squeeze out an extra dribble.

 

An overgrowth of vaginal yeast may be irritating your bladder or urethra.

Eat one cup of plain yogurt 4-5 times a week.

 

Stimulate/Sedate

 

Uva Ursi (Arctostaphylos uva ursi) is an old favorite for strengthening the

bladder and ending chronic silent bladder infections. I prefer a hot water

infusion of the dried leaves, but know women who have successfully used cold

water infusions, tinctures, even vinegars. A dose is 1 cup/125 ml of infusion;

10-30 drops of tincture; 1 tablespoonful/15 ml of vinegar; 3-6 times a day

initially, then 1-3 times a day for 7-10 days. In very chronic cases, eliminate

all forms of sugar (even fresh fruit, fruit juice, and honey) for a month as

well.

 

Yarrow is a urinary disinfectant with a powerful antibacterial action and an

astringent effect. A small cup of the infusion, once or twice a day for 7-10

days, tones up weak, lax bladder tissues. Combines well with uva ursi.

Results may be felt within hours.

 

In my experience, Echinacea purpurea and E. augustifolia are as effective as

antibiotics in clearing bladder infections and do not contribute to vaginal

yeast. (See Step 5b.) A dose is 1 drop echinacea tincture per 2 pounds/1 kilo

body weight. (For 150 pound/70 kilo person, use 75 drops or three

dropperfuls.) In acute cases, I give the dose every 2 hours. As the

infection clears, I

lengthen the amount of time between doses until I'm down to 1-2 doses a day,

which I continue for another 2-10 weeks.

 

Women who wash their vulva with soap and water are four times more likely to

get vaginal and bladder infections. Douches, bubblebaths, tampons, nylon

underwear, and pantyhose may also irritate the urethra and contribute

to bladder

infections.

 

Known bladder irritants include: alcohol, black tea, coffee, sodas, citrus

juices, chocolate, cayenne, and hot peppers. (An herbal tincture in an alcohol

base won't irritate the bladder if you take it diluted in a glass of water or

a cup of herb tea.)

 

Urinating after love play flushes out bacteria and cuts down on UTIs.

Urinating before love play increases your risk of a bladder infection. Use

Supplements

 

Ascorbic acid wrings the kidneys, flushes the bladder, and raises urinary

pH. Try 500 mg hourly for 6-8 hours. CAUTION: IC sufferers - avoid!

 

Be careful about taking calcium supplements if you are prone to bladder

infections. Calcium supplements increase bacterial adherence to the

bladder wall,

increasing bladder infections.

 

Use Drugs

 

Antibiotics are the standard medical treatment for women with bladder

infections. But taking antibiotics frequently causes vaginal yeast overgrowth

(which can lead to bladder infection). One - nitrofurantoin

(Macrodantin) - seems

to cause microscopic scarring and ulceration of the bladder wall,

precipitating IC.

 

Break and Enter

 

Dilation of the urethra is expensive, painful, and causes tiny scars on the

urethra, which may lead to interstitial cystitis. I have seen it referred to

as " the rape of the female urethra " . No controlled study has shown this

procedure to be effective at limiting chronic bladder infections. Do

pelvic floor

exercises instead.

 

Vibrant, passionate, and involved, Susun Weed has garnered an international

reputation for her groundbreaking lectures, teachings, and writings on health

and nutrition. She challenges conventional medical approaches with humor,

insight, and her vast encyclopedic knowledge of herbal medicine. Unabashedly

pro-woman, her animated and enthusiastic lectures are engaging and often

profoundly provocative. Susun is one of America's best-known

authorities on herbal

medicine and natural approaches to women's health. Her four best-selling

books are recommended by expert herbalists and well-known physicians

and are used

and cherished by millions of women around the world. She is Founder of the

Wise Woman Center, and also advises the California Institute of Integral

Studies and the Pottenger Foundation for Wise Traditions. Her work has inspired

millions of women world-wide to respect their inner wisdom and to trust the

healing power of common weeds, simple ceremony, and compassionate listening.

Susun is a Peace Elder and a member of the Wolf Clan.

 

Look for lots more tips for keeping your breasts healthy in her book Breast

Cancer? Breast Health! The Wise Woman Way, recommended by many oncologists

and breast health specialists including Dr. Susan Love. And please visit her

special breast health website: _www.breasthealthbook.com_

(http://www.breasthealthbook.com/)

 

Visit her site _http://www.susunweed.com_ (http://www.susunweed.com/) for

information on her workshops, apprenticeships, correspondence courses and

more! Browse the publishing site _http://www.ashtreepublishing.com_

(http://www.ashtreepublishing.com/) to learn more about her

alternative health books.

Venture into the NEW Menopause site _http://www.menopause-metamorphosis.com_

(http://www.menopause-metamorphosis.com/) to learn all about the Menopausal

Years the Wise Woman Way. Email Susun Weed at _susunweed_

(susunweed) , write to PO Box 64, Woodstock, NY 12498 or call

845-246-8081.

 

 

--

Diana Gonzalez

 

 

 

 

Nothing wastes more energy than worrying - the longer a problem is

carried, the heavier it gets. Don't take things too seriously - live a

life of serenity, not a life of regrets.

-Unknown