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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Overgrowth of Nerve Cells Appears to Cause Lingering Symptoms After Recurrent UTIs

The AHA! Team — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 08:13:54 +0000

Duke Health – DURHAM, N.C. – A perplexing problem for people with recurring urinary tract infections (UTIs) is persistent pain, even after antibiotics have successfully cleared the bacteria. Now Duke Health researchers have identified the likely cause – an overgrowth of nerve cells in the bladder. The finding, appeared March 1 in the journal Science Immunology, provides a potential new approach to managing symptoms of recurring UTIs that would more effectively target the problem and reduce unnecessary antibiotic usage. “Urinary tract infections account for almost 25% of infections in women,” said senior author Soman Abraham, Ph.D., professor in the departments of Pathology, Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Integrative Immunobiology, and Cell Biology at Duke University School of Medicine. Urinary tract infections account for almost 25% of infections in women “Many are recurrent UTIs, with patients frequently complaining of chronic pelvic pain and urinary frequency, even after a round of antibiotics,” Abraham said. “Our study, for the first time, describes an underlying cause and identifies a potential new treatment strategy.” Abraham and colleagues collected bladder biopsies from recurrent UTI patients who were experiencing pain despite no culturable bacteria in their urine. Using biopsies from people without UTIs as a comparison, they found evidence that sensory nerves were highly activated in the UTI patients, explaining the persistent sense of pain and urinary frequency. Further studies in mice revealed the underlying events, with unique conditions in the bladder that prompt activated nerves in the lining to bloom and grow with each infection. “Typically, during every bout of UTI, epithelial cells laden with bacteria are sloughed off, and significant destruction of nearby nerve tissue occurs,” said Byron Hayes, lead author of the study and previously a postdoctoral fellow in Duke’s Department of Pathology. “These events trigger a rapid repair program in the damaged bladder involving massive regrowth of destroyed nerve cells.” This immune response, including repair activities, is led by mast cells – which are immune cells that fight infection and allergens. Mast cells release chemicals called nerve growth factor, which drive overgrowth and increase sensitivity of nerves. The result is pain and urgency. The researchers were able to address these symptoms by treating study mice with molecules that suppress production of the mast-cell generated nerve growth factor. “This work helps illuminate a puzzling clinical condition that drives medical costs and affects the quality of life of millions of people, primarily women,” Abraham said. “Understanding the crosstalk between mast cells and nerves is an essential step toward effective treatments for people suffering repeat urinary tract infections.” In addition to Abraham and Hayes, study authors include Hae Woong Choi, Abhay PS Rathore,Chunjing Bao, Jianling Shi, Yul Huh, Michael W Kim, Andrea Mencarelli, Pradeep Bist, Lai Guan Ng, Changming Shi, Joo Hwan Nho, Aram Kim, Hana Yoon, Donghoon Lim, Johanna L Hannan, J Todd Purves, Francis M Hughes Jr, and Ru-Rong Ji. The study received funding support from the National Institutes of Health (K12-DK100024, R01-DK121969, R01-DK121032, R01-GM144606), the National Research Foundation of Korea (2020R1C1C1003257), and a Korea University grant. To read the original article click here.

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4 Herbal Remedies to Help Support Urinary Tract Health & Comfort

Overgrowth of Nerve Cells Appears to Cause Lingering Symptoms After Recurrent UTIs