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Cystitis: Natural Remedies

The array of natural remedies against cystitis is rather extensive and advertised, both by virtue of the considerable diffusion of the disorder and by the proven efficacy of some plant extracts.

Effective Remedies

Bearberry and American blueberry for cystitis

The "scepter" of the most useful remedy against cystitis is traditionally disputed between bearberry and American cranberry.

Not by chance, in the preparations intended for the treatment and prevention of cystitis, these two natural sources of active ingredients are often associated.

Uva Ursina

Known in botany as Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, bearberry is a shrubby plant belonging to the Ericaceae family.

The leaves are used mainly, from which an extract is obtained.

The active ingredients of bearberry are: hydroquinone glycosides (arbutoside in the first place), tannins, flavonoids and phenolic acids. These substances, once filtered and expelled with urine, exert their antimicrobial action on the bladder and on the urethra, where they play a mainly direct antiseptic action.

Action mechanism

The therapeutic activity of bearberry is mainly linked to the effect of hydroquinone (HQ).

In the intestine, Arbutin is hydrolyzed into hydroquinone and glucose.

After absorption, hydroquinone is conjugated (mainly in the liver) to glucuronide sulfate and subsequently released into the urine.

Bacteria in the bladder have the ability to deconjugate hydroquinone from glucuronide.

The active ingredient can therefore perform its own antimicrobial action, which has proved useful against numerous bacterial strains, commonly responsible for infections of the urogenital tract.

Other components of the phytocomplex, such as tannins and metabolites of piceoside, perform a synergistic action with arbutin.

Side effects

Bearberry gives the urine a brown color.

May cause nausea, vomiting and gastric irritation.

Bearberry is contraindicated in pregnancy (stimulates uterine contractility), during lactation and in children under 12 years.

Do not exceed the recommended dose.

American blueberry

Known in botany as Vaccinium macrocarpon, the marsh cranberry is a shrubby plant, also belonging to the Ericaceae family.

Its fruits and the juice extracted are used.

The active ingredients of the cranberry are: flavonoids (catechins), anthocyanidins and anthocyanins, organic acids and vitamins. These substances, once filtered and expelled with urine, exert their antimicrobial action on the urethra, where they inhibit bacterial adhesion to the epithelial cells of the urinary tract.

Action mechanism

American blueberry fruits make the mucosal surface anti-adhesive and hinder the adherence of bacteria to the urinary epithelium, including Escherichia coli (a pathogen often responsible for cystitis).

Very useful for preventing recurrences, this natural remedy is not as effective in countering full-blown bacterial adhesions.

Therefore, in episodes of acute cystitis, synthetic drugs offer greater therapeutic guarantees than American blueberry juice.

Side effects

Taken at high doses and for prolonged periods, it can cause diarrhea.

It is contraindicated in patients on anticoagulant therapy (it increases the effect).

On the label of many natural remedies are read contraindications in pregnancy and lactation. Often it is a matter of simple caution, necessary not so much because the drug has proved dangerous, but because of the absence of studies that document its absolute safety in these delicate physiological conditions.

Other natural remedies

Other common ingredients are bucco, beard (cren), arbutus, sandalwood, echinacea, burdock and nasturtium.

These natural remedies, for which an antiseptic activity at urinary level has been demonstrated or at least hypothesized, are often associated with more specifically diuretic extracts.

Bucco

Also called buchu, it defines the Agathosma botanical genus ; the normally defined bucco species is the Agathosma betulina .

Its leaves are used, traditionally used as a remedy for disorders of the urinary tract, but also gastrointestinal.

This plant is attributed antiseptic and diuretic properties regarding its various phenolic compounds.

The infusion is known as "buchu tea".

It also produces an alcohol (tincture) called "Buchu vinegar", obtained by infusion of the leaves and stems in the brandy.

Some companies produce compact powdered drug-based tablets.

Horseradish

Known by many other names, such as horseradish, horseradish and horseradish, horseradish is known in botany as Armoracia rusticana (family Brassicaceae).

A relative of Japanese wasabi, the horseradish has many properties, but its effectiveness against cystitis is not very evident.

In some people it may increase the irritation of the urethra.

arbutus

Known as an albatross, it belongs to the genus Arbutus and the unedo species.

The mechanism by which cystitis should be reduced or prevented is unclear.

Sandal

It is the Santalum Botanical Genre; the most used is the citrine or album species.

In the East, it is frequently used as an astringent, diuretic and healing principle for gonorrhea.

It has balsamic and antiseptic properties, which is why it is recommended as a natural remedy for cystitis.

Echinacea

It defines the botanical genus belonging to the Asteraceae family; the most used species is Echinacea purpurea .

Also widely used against colds, flu, rheumatism, arthritis and wounds, it seems to have a reinforcing effect on the immune system; it could therefore promote recovery from cystitis and prevent recurrence.

Burdock

Known as the major burdock, it belongs to the botanical genus Arctium, especially lappa .

Contains lignans (arctigenina, lappaoli and maitaresinol), nutrients (B-complex vitamins, amino acids, potassium and magnesium), phenolic acids (caffeic, chlorogenic and isochlorogenic acid), polyunsaturated compounds (acetylenic hydrocarbons with antibiotic properties in general) and bitter principles (dehydro-costusicolattone and arctiopicrin), inulin, tannin and resins.

It is attributed antiphlogistic, purifying, purifying, hypoglycemic, diaphoretic, fungicidal, antibacterial, stomachic, laxative and diuretic properties.

Not surprisingly, it can have a positive effect in reducing infectious cystitis.

Nastruzio

Of the botanical genus Tropaeolum, species majus, its only chemical characteristic is the abundance of vitamin C.

The role played against cystitis is unclear.

Cystitis diuretics

While not exhibiting a direct antimicrobial action, these herbal remedies - combined with the abundance of water - increase diuresis, favoring the washing of the urinary tract and the dilution of the bacterial load present in the bladder.

Among the diuretic sources we remember the asparagus (rhizome, roots), the birch (leaves), the horsetail (aerial parts), the weevil (rhizome), the orthosifon (leaves), the nettle (flowering plant, roots), parsley (parts of areas, roots) and goldenrod (flowering tops).

Anti-inflammatories and Spasmolytics against cystitis

Sometimes drugs are also associated with anti-inflammatory and spasmolytic action, such as chamomile.

Chamomile

It belongs to the genus Matricaria and to the chamomile species.

It has a mild sedative, anti-inflammatory and calming effect.

The active ingredients are: essential oil (alpha-bisabolol, guaiazulene, camazulene and farnesene), flavonoids (apigenin, quercetin, apiine and luteolin) and the matricine and des-acetyl-matricarin lactones.

The spasmolytic properties are mainly attributable to eupatuletin, quercimetrin and coumarins (also good for digestion).

Camomile, as well as in cystitis, is also used for dysmenorrhoea, intestinal cramps, muscle spasms and rheumatism.

Method of Employment

All these natural remedies are often taken in the form of infusions (tisane or macerated) to amplify the "diluent and wash" action.

On the market there are also tablets with concentrated and standardized dry extracts in the active ingredients that characterize individual drugs or, alternatively, mother tinctures and fluid extracts.

Food and Cystitis

Which foods should you choose to fight cystitis?

As for the relationship between food and cystitis, those who are able to acidify urine are generally recommended in the acute phase.

Greater acidity, corresponding to a reduced pH, is considered protective against urinary infections.

These acidifying foods include protein foods of animal origin, cereals, plums and blueberries; other fruits and vegetables, on the other hand, have an alkalizing action.

It is advisable to suspend all foods that can further irritate the urethra like spicy ones (chilli, pepper, ginger, etc.).

For more information, see the article: Diet for Cystitis.

Water and Cystitis

Importance of water in the diet for cystitis

Water is a very important factor in the treatment of cystitis.

Drinking in abundance allows to increase diuresis.

In turn, a greater flow of urine allows the urethra to be rinsed frequently, expelling pathogenic bacteria more effectively.

Obviously the generous supply of liquids does not include potentially irritating drinks.

We therefore recommend a temporary suspension of; coffee, alcohol, caffeine-based drinks, energy drinks, etc.

Example of herbal tea against cystitis

Ingredients

  • Bearberry (shredded leaves, antimicrobial action): 3 tablespoons.
  • Birch (chopped leaves, diuretic action): 2 tablespoons.
  • Thyme (chopped leaves, anti-inflammatory and analgesic action): 1 tbsp.

Method

Prepare the infusion by boiling a liter and a half of water and pour it over the herbal mixture.

Mix and leave to cool, covering the cup with a lid. Drink 3-4 glasses a day between meals.

Contraindications

Age less than 12 years, pregnancy, lactation, upset stomach, peripheral edema due to heart or kidney failure.

Take the herbal tea only with the prior medical consent; it is in fact necessary to ascertain in advance the absence of contraindications, the possible interaction with existing drug therapies and the adequacy of the remedy to the type of cystitis from which one suffers (not all of them have a microbial origin).

Video

Combat Cystitis with Natural Remedies

Directly from the studies of MypersonaltrainerTv, our herbalist Monica explains the natural remedies most used in phytotherapy to prevent and fight cystitis and lower urinary tract infections.

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Uva Ursina

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Cranberry - American Cranberry

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