4 Herbal Remedies to Help Support Urinary Tract Health & Comfort

The AHA! Team — Mon, 05 May 2025 05:46:32 +0000

Lori Alton via NaturalHealth365 – Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common form of bacterial infection, triggering emergency room visits for roughly a million Americans annually. Women are far more susceptible than men, with fully one-third of women experiencing a UTI by age 24. Western medicine attempts to treat UTIs with broad-spectrum antibiotics – which can cause a variety of toxic side effects as well as contribute to the growing global epidemic of antibiotic resistance. These dangerous drawbacks have caused many scientists to stress the urgent need for alternate, natural therapies for UTIs. Below, you will find four time-honored herbal remedies, the benefits of which have been validated by recent scientific research. Discover the leading natural preventative option for urinary tract infections Cranberries have a well-earned reputation for helping to ward off UTIs. Extensive scientific studies are now revealing their intriguing method of action. And, while researchers used to credit the benzoic acid in these tart berries with creating an environment in the bladder that is unfriendly to the growth of pathogens, many now believe that benzoic acid must share the infection-fighting credit with the proanthocyanidins. Proanthocyanidins, a group of natural pigments and antioxidants, are found in intensely-colored fruits and vegetables – and are in particularly good supply in cranberries. The primary cause of UTIs – a bacterium known as E.coli – makes its way from the anus to the urethra, where it then adheres to mucosal cells in the urinary tract. Researchers have discovered that the proanthocyanidins in cranberries attack and disable the structures on the surfaces of the bacteria that make cell adhesion possible. Without attaching to the urethral lining, the infection fails to take hold. In one impressive study involving female adult participants with chronic urinary tract infections (an average of six a year), 400 mg of cranberry extract a day eliminated UTI incidence – with no side effects. How’s that for effectiveness?! Cranberry appears to be equally beneficial when taken in the form of juice. In recent research, cranberry juice performed nearly as well in preventing UTIs as trimethoprim, an antibiotic. If you decide to go the “juice route,” opt for unsweetened, organic cranberry juice – at least two cups daily. Cranberry extracts, however, have the advantage of being more cost-effective than fresh juice. But, ultimately, the best way to access the benefits of cranberries depends on your taste – and your financial situation. Marshmallow root is a potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and diuretic Revered in herbal medicine for its ability to ease sore throats and coughs, marshmallow root is also gaining traction among holistic healthcare providers as a treatment for UTIs – and for good reason. This natural herb is high in mucilage, a natural tissue soother. It also has potent anti-inflammatory effects to alleviate swelling in the mucous membranes lining the urinary tract, making tissues stronger and less susceptible to toxins, infections, and damage. Helps flush toxins, and combats bacteria In addition, marshmallow root increases urine flow, helps flush toxins, and combats bacteria – making it a useful ally against E. coli. And finally, marshmallow root contains high levels of antioxidant glucuronoxylan – which helps to protect against disease-causing oxidative damage. While marshmallow root is an ingredient in the sugary white confection roasted over bonfires, you need a more concentrated supply to get the herb’s full benefits. A holistic physician may recommend addressing UTIs with one to two teaspoons of powdered marshmallow root daily, taken with at least 8 ounces of liquid. Alternately, marshmallow root is available as tea, which can be sipped in one-half to one cup four times a day. Uva ursi contains a host of infection-fighting phytochemicals Uva ursi, also known as bearberry, has been used by herbal healers for nearly two thousand years to treat infections and inflammations of the bladder and kidneys. A natural diuretic and antiseptic, uva ursi alleviates inflammation and strengthens the lining of the urinary tract. But that isn’t all. The herb is also rich in tannic acid – which has proven antifungal and antibacterial properties – and contains a compound called arbutin that helps regulate the pH balance of urine. Allantoin Finally, uva ursi contains allantoin, which is often used as a healing, skin-soothing ingredient in lotions and ointments. Uva ursi is available in capsules (or powders), and natural health experts advise a formulation standardized to 400 to 800 mg of arbutin. You can also make uva ursi tea by simmering a tablespoon of dried leaves in 2 cups of water for 40 minutes, then straining and cooling. Drink three to four times a day. Remember: Uva ursi should not be used long-term or in high amounts. As with the other three remedies, consult your holistic doctor before taking it. Corn silk: An old-fashioned herbal remedy exhibits therapeutic powers in clinical studies Corn silk, long treasured in folk medicine as a home remedy for UTIs, has some serious scientific credibility backing up its low-tech, homey image. In fact, it turns out that these silky fibers have powerful anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. In a study published in the Journal of Complementary Medicine Research, 42 adult participants with UTIs were treated with an aqueous extract of corn silk and followed up after 5 days, 10 days, and 20 days. The patients experienced significant reductions in the pain and in the frequent, urgent urination that can accompany UTIs – along with a decrease in the number of pus cells (a sign of infection) in the urine. There were no reports of side effects, leading the team to characterize corn silk as “effective and safe.” Corn silk can be easily brewed into a tea. Add a tablespoon of dried strands to a cup of almost-boiling water, let the mixture steep for 15 to 20 minutes, then strain, cool, and drink. Plus, natural healers may advise drinking one or two cups of corn silk tea, two to three times a day, to combat UTIs. Remember, don’t attempt to treat urinary tract infections – or any other medical condition – with these natural remedies without first consulting an experienced healthcare provider. UTIs can sometimes progress to serious kidney infections, manifested by fever, chills, and lower back pain, requiring immediate medical attention. To prevent UTIs from taking hold in the first place natural health experts advise staying well hydrated, avoiding antibiotic overuse, wearing cotton underwear, and avoiding irritating bubble baths and commercial vaginal hygiene products. Of course, eliminating refined sugars from your diet can also lower the risk of these uncomfortable infections. Marshmallows, cranberries, corn silk, and bearberry (uva ursi) may lack the multi-syllabic, official-sounding monikers of the latest drugs cooked up by big pharma. However, these herbal strategies can still offer wonderful results. Sources for this article include: NIH.gov Globalhealingcenter.com Bibliomed.org Lifeextension.com To read the original article click here.

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WARNING: Antibiotic Use in First Week of Life Harms Baby’s Microbiome

AHA Publisher — Fri, 01 Apr 2022 07:46:16 +0000

Karen Sanders via NaturalHealth365 – By now, most people know we should treat antibiotics with caution. In addition to harming your gut – which relies on friendly bacteria to process food, regulate the immune system, and much more – there is also the danger of creating antibiotic-resistant superbugs that could have devastating consequences for the health of the human race. Unfortunately, treating newborns with antibiotics – often as early as the first seven days after birth – is de rigeur in the world of Western medical science. But new studies have linked this practice with lasting decreases in health and digestive function for babies. When Is it Appropriate to Treat Newborns With Antibiotics? The newborn constitution is a delicate one. It is not necessarily an overreaction to treat suspected infections in small babies, as they can become life-threatening in a relatively short period and with little warning. Neither should we assume that any antibiotic application is acceptable simply because it reduces the chances of a pathology for which doctors don’t have proof. Today – explains the study – broad-spectrum antibiotics are prescribed to between 4 and 10 percent of all newborns for suspected infections. The “broad-spectrum” is key here. That means a battery of the most common antibiotics to be sure to knock it out. Too often, however, antibiotics are prescribed in cases they are not needed. And their overuse comes at a high cost. The study included 147 infants with suspected sepsis and 80 with no suspected infections. The babies with suspected infections were prescribed one of three standard courses of antibiotics. Afterward, researchers collected a rectal or fecal sample from each baby at 1, 4, and 12 months. Here is what the study found. Broad-Spectrum Antibiotics Used in Newborns May Cause Unintended Harm The study found several adverse outcomes for babies treated with antibiotics at such an early age. Antibiotics increase the baby’s antimicrobial resistance, meaning that if they were to need antibiotics later for a life-threatening condition, those antibiotics might not work as well. Newborns who received antibiotics demonstrated lower levels of the good bacteria (in this case, Bifidobacterium species) that make up the microbiome. Babies treated with antibiotics in the first week of life were less able to digest breastmilk from their mothers, which reduces the natural microbial protection it offers. This is alarming, considering how important our microbiomes are to us throughout our lives. In fact, the colony of bacteria that makes up our microbiome contains 100 trillion microbes with 200 times as many genes as we have ourselves. Together, the microbiome can weigh up to 5 pounds, more than the brain, the heart, the liver, or a pair of lungs. Protect the Microbiome by Taking a More Cautious Approach This isn’t to say we should abandon antibiotics for newborns. Instead, we need to take a more careful approach than the standard ready-aim-fire used in hospitals today. Experts quoted in the study affirm the wisdom of using fewer and better medicines. The least detrimental treatment protocol from the study was a combination of penicillin and gentamicin and is therefore preferable for future prescription. As adults, we should continue to protect our microbiomes by avoiding antibiotics wherever possible and adopting natural antimicrobial measures. this way, we will maintain healthy bodies and ensure that, where truly needed, antibiotics continue to have lifesaving effects well in the future. Sources for this article include: ScienceDaily.com To read the original article click here.

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4 Herbal Remedies to Help Support Urinary Tract Health & Comfort

WARNING: Antibiotic Use in First Week of Life Harms Baby’s Microbiome