Herbal Remedies for the Bladder Infections

herbs Bladder Infections, or what is also known as urinary tract infections (URI) are very common in women and less so in men. Burning, itching and the discomfort will affect many of us at some point but can also be easily treated. Medicinal herbs for bladder infection are among some of the oldest herbal remedies recorded and have a long and successful history in treating URIs. Herbal remedies for bladder infections are cost effective and easily used, however if your symptoms are not easing you should seek a further diagnosis from your health care practitioner.

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Medicinal Herbs for Bladder Infection

Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon)
One of the most popular and widely used herbal remedy for bladder infection. This herb is used in the prevention and treatment of urinary tract infections and cystitis. It is also useful in reducing urinary tract mucus production in patients who have had urinary surgery and patients who are immobilised or catheterised. The dose of cranberry used in clinical trials was 75 mL per day of cranberry juice or 400 to 800 mg per day of 25:1 dry concentrate) which is the same as 10-20gr of fresh berries per day. Cranberry should be avoided in patients with renal failure and in those who have a tendency to develope uric acid or calcium oxalate stones (due to the high oxalate content of cranberry).

Buchu (Barosma betulina)
The leaf of this herb is widely used in western herbal medicine, and its primary use is in the treatment of chronic diseases of the genitourinary tract. These diseases include chronic inflammation of the mucous membranes of the bladder and urethra, conditions where there is urinary discharges and unusually acidic urine, and incontinence linked to prostate disease. Buchu leaf is a diuretic and urinary tract antiseptic, the latter activity is considered to be due to its essential oil content. The underside of Buchu leaves have oil glands containing an essential oil which consists mainly of the monoterpene, diosphenol. It is imperative to make certain that the correct species has been used as the essential oil of other herbs such as Agathosma crenulata have lower diosphenol content and higher pulegone content. (Pulegone is a potentially toxic constituent.) Buchu can be taken as a tea, with the dose being 5gr steeped in hot water up to four times daily.

Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva ursi)
Bearberry/Uva ursi is often found in combination with Buchu as a tea that can be taken to relieve the symptoms of bladder infection. A dose of 5gr in hot water can be drunk up to four times daily to treat inflammation and infection. This tea was customarily used for its astringent action and is of great value in diseases of the bladder and kidneys; where it soothes inflammation of the urinary tract. Eclectic physicians used Uva ursi to treat chronic irritation of the bladder, bedwetting, mucous and bloody discharges in the urine, chronic diarrhoea and dysentery. Bearberry contains hydroquinone glycosides, including arbutin and methylarbutin.

Corn Silk (Zea mays)
Like Buchu and Uva ursi, Corn silk is another herb that can be taken as a tea to sooth and treat the symptoms of URIs. This pale yellow tea is also safe for children to use and has a mild diuretic effect. Corn silk is best used in combination with other stronger antiseptic herbs to treat bladder infections but it will provide effective symptom relieve from burning and pain associated with a bladder infection.

Crataevia (Crataeva nurvala)
Also known as Varuna, this Indian tree grows along river banks in many parts of India. The bark is mostly used and contains saponins, flavonoids and plant sterols. Its use in the natural treatment of bladder infection is recorded as far back as the 8th century and in later times has been used to treat kidney stones. Crataeva is a key herb in the treatment of chronic or recurrent bladder infections and should be used in combination with urinary tract antiseptics. The tonic effect on the bladder will decrease the residual volume of urine and assist the effective removal of micro-organisms from the bladder. In turn this decreases the risk of chronic infection or re-infection. Crataeva is also beneficial in the treatment of hypotonic or atonic bladder, and works well in benign prostatic hyperplasia in combination with Pygeum.

The Use of Herbal Supplements for Bladder Infection

Herbs and herbal supplements for bladder infections are numerous and depending on the accompanying symptoms may be combined to suit your own individual condition. Recurrent bladder infections should be investigated properly as many urinary tract illnesses have very similar symptoms. Toilet hygiene also plays an important role in preventing further infections and care should be taken to avoid faecal matter being accidently wiped forward and infecting the urinary tract. In acute cystitis herbs may need to be used in conjunction with a urinary tract alkalinizing agent, such as Ural. Herbal remedies for bladder infection can also be assisted in their action by increasing water intake to at least two litres per day.

"Health is not simply the absence of sickness !"
Hannah Green

May You Grow and Prosper.