Drinking cranberry juice every day can prevent a urinary tract infection (UTI).
The kidneys and bladder are part of the urinary system, which transports harmful waste products out of the body. For correct functioning, a good fluid intake is essential, so drink plenty of liquids to avoid a bladder infections or kidney stones.
Do you check where the toilets are at the mall when you get there? Or try to avoid sneezing or laughing because you are not sure you’ll stay dry? You’re probably suffering from bladder weakness or incontinence. Both men and women suffer from this embarrassing condition, but the physical stresses of childbirth and a decrease in estrogen at menopause make women three times more susceptible.
Frequently, there’s a psychological component to a weak bladder, so stress reduction programs such as yoga or autogenic training may help.
The problem isn’t new—even the ancient Egyptians developed remedies to deal with it. As a result, there are many time-tested solutions, including the following teas, that can help to strengthen bladder muscles.
• Linden flower, cornsilk and horsetail are helpful for incontinence and can be combined to make tea. Drink three cups daily.
• Raspberry leaf tea is a very good treatment for bladder weakness that may be experienced during the late stages of pregnancy, as it helps to strengthen both the uterus and the bladder. Raspberry leaf is also available in tablet form.
It has been said that the pain of passing a kidney stone is comparable to that of giving birth. Stones might pass in a few hours, but sometimes it takes days. It’s best to try to avoid developing them.
Dehydration is a key factor. Lack of fluids prevents mineral salts in urine from being dissolved, causing them to clump together as grit and slowly form kidney stones. To be sure your kidneys are well irrigated and healthy, drink plenty of herbal and fruit teas, noncarbonated water and diluted fruit juice.
• Limit your intake of cocoa, coffee, rhubarb and spinach. They contain oxalate, which contributes to the formation of calcium oxalate, a common type of kidney stone.
• Drink enough fluids to be sure you produce about 2 quarts (2 L) of urine a day. Most fluids are all right, but avoid cola, beer and black tea.
• Salt and meat can aggravate kidney stone formation. Consume them in moderation.
If grit or small stones have already formed in your kidney, the following home remedies may help to flush them out.
• Teas or tinctures made with the herbs cornsilk, buchu and marshmallow soothe the kidneys.
• The citric acid in lemon inhibits the crystallization of calcium oxalate. Drink the juice of half a lemon in a glass of warm water each morning.
• Drink plenty of water: 10–12 cups (2.5–3 L) a day.
• If your kidney stones are painful, try a potato wrap made from boiled, mashed and still-hot potatoes wrapped in cloth. Place the wrap over the kidney area. The warmth will soothe your afflicted organs.
• Our grandmothers were familiar with the soothing properties of heat and regularly took warm baths or placed a hot water bottle on their lower abdomen at bedtime to ease kidney or bladder pains. Both are simple remedies that can bring relief, as is exposure to infrared light.
WHEN TO CONSULT A DOCTOR If you are experiencing serious pain in the kidney region and/or a buildup of urine, contact a doctor immediately.
About 50 percent of women will experience a bladder or urinary tract infection (UTI) at some point in their lives, and many will have multiple infections. Women suffer from the problem more often than men because their urethra is shorter, so bacteria can enter the bladder more easily.
Dehydration is often a factor, but there are a host of traditional remedies to combat pain and the continual urge to urinate. Bear in mind that these remedies are most effective when applied early.
• Hot cornsilk tea can help flush out the bacteria causing inflammation and soothe the pain. Strip the fine hair from a corn cob and steep in 1 cup (250 ml) boiling water.
• Take a high-strength cranberry supplement or drink two large glasses of cranberry juice a day to relieve the infection. Cranberry may also help to prevent infections from occurring.
• Heat reduces the pain caused by a bladder infection or UTI. Place a warmed wheat bag between your legs or over your bladder, or soak in a hot bath.
WHEN TO CONSULT A DOCTOR If your UTI is extremely painful or is not noticeably better after 3 days, consult a doctor.
Bladder and UTI relief tea
This soothes pain, disinfects and flushes out bacteria causing a bladder or urinary tract infection. Dried buchu and horsetail are available from health food stores.
1/4 cup (50 g) dried buchu
1 tablespoon (15 g) green beans
1 tablespoon (15 g) dried horsetail
1 teaspoon (5 g) each of dried fennel, calendula flowers and peppermint
Combine all the ingredients. Add 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of the mixture to 1 cup (250 ml) cold water and boil for 5 minutes. Steep for 10 minutes, strain and drink 1 cup (250 ml) three times a day.
