urinary tract infections Archives - Amazing Health Advances

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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Relieve Arthritis and Prevent Cancer With THIS Incredible Plant

AHA Publisher — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 07:00:26 +0000

Karen Sanders via NaturalHealth365 – At first glance, there’s nothing remarkable about stinging nettle. With its dull-green, notched leaves and small, nondescript flowers, it appears to be the most ordinary of plants. But did you know that it can be quite beneficial for those who have arthritis? However, merely touching nettle leaves can become a ‘memorable’ experience due to its intense stinging sensation on unprotected skin. But stinging nettle is known for much more than simply posing a nuisance to bare-legged hikers. Nettle leaves and roots have been valued for centuries as an herbal remedy for arthritis, urinary tract infections, and edema. Now, researchers are finding that nettles suppress the production of inflammatory chemicals in the body and can affect the transmission of pain signals. Studies exploring nettles’ ability to treat allergies, arthritis, and benign prostatic hyperplasia are ongoing and promising. A Powerful Plant With a Rich History Stinging nettle, scientifically known as Urtica dioica, Urtica urens, and Urtica radix, is native to Europe and Asia but presently grows in temperate zones – worldwide. It flourishes in the nitrogen-rich soil of pastures and woodlands, where it can grow to heights of 4 feet. When contacted by skin, the fine hairs on the undersides of the nettles’ leaves release irritating chemicals, including formic acid and choline. The resultant stinging is harmless and usually begins to subside within minutes. Drying or cooking nettles removes their sting, and they can be consumed as nutritious vegetables. What Are the Healing Powers of Nettle? Researchers believe that nettles owe their therapeutic powers to their high levels of polysaccharides, lectins – or plant proteins – and lignans, plant sterols that may have cardioprotective effects. Nettles are also rich in flavonoids, potent natural antioxidants that scavenge harmful free radicals in the body. Nettles have diuretic properties, meaning they can flush excess fluids from the body and remove toxins. In animal and test-tube studies, nettles have also been found to have antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antimicrobial – or germ-fighting effects. Stinging Nettle Slows the Growth of Prostate Cancer Cells, Relieves Arthritis, According to Study Herbalists and physicians alike may recommend stinging nettle to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, a condition in which an enlarged prostate presses on the urethra and causes problems with urination. Even Blue Shield Complementary and Alternative Health notes that nettle, used along with saw palmetto, helps treat reduced urinary flow and incomplete bladder emptying caused by BPH. The University of Maryland Medical Center concurs, adding that laboratory studies have shown stinging nettle works as well as finasteride – a pharmaceutical medication – in slowing the growth of prostate cancer cells. In a 2000 double-blind study published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, nettle leaves applied directly to the bases of thumbs of people suffering from osteoarthritis were significantly more effective than a placebo in reducing pain and restoring function. Calling the treatment safe and effective for arthritis, researchers speculated that the nettles’ ability to interfere with Substance P, a pain transmitter in the body, was responsible for the therapeutic effect. How Nutritious Is Stinging Nettle? Stinging nettle is a truly healthy food with a scanty 37 calories a cup, a whopping 6 grams of fiber, and virtually no sugar, fat, or cholesterol. In addition, a one-cup serving is loaded with essential minerals, including 428 milligrams of calcium and 1.46 micrograms of iron. In addition, nettles are an outstanding source of antioxidant vitamin A, offering three times the ‘daily reference’ intake in one serving. Finally, they are extremely rich in vitamin K, essential for proper blood clotting. What Is the Best Way to Consume Nettle? You can buy freeze-dried nettle leaves in capsule form; topical creams made with nettle extracts are also available. Stinging nettle leaves are sometimes available in health food stores and may be steamed and eaten like fresh spinach. If you choose to gather your own, make sure your source is free of animal waste and pesticides, and check with an expert for identification. Never use nettles to treat a medical condition unless a qualified medical professional supervises you. Ask your doctor before using stinging nettles to ease your arthritis pain, especially if you have kidney disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure or are taking diuretics or anticoagulants. In some cases, exposure to fresh nettles can cause a secondary rash, which may last for up to 24 hours. Just remember, when handling fresh nettle plants, to use gloves, and never apply them to an open wound. Sources for this article include: NIH.gov NIH.gov To read the original article click here.

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