An Herb Or Two to Fight Off That Urinary Infection

Dealing with a urinary track infection sucks on every level, and typically those of us who get them run off to the doctor at the first sign of infection. 

Why do we do that?

Well for starters most of us don't know how to treat an infection without the anti biotic the medical world has provided.

Have you read some of the side effects that your doctor thinks are just fine?

I bring this up because I deal with urinary track infections a lot; due to a medical practitioner overlooking a kidney infection during the pregnancy of my first child, witch ultimately dealt a pretty big blow to my entire bladder system.

Having problem's with this myself, I have seen first hand the kinds of drugs they try to force on you without a safer alternative.

Just recently I required a set of these anti biotic's to kick a pretty bad infection apparently, because i have never used this particular drug before. They put me on a drug called Nitrofurantoin mono/mac 100mg tabs, and I was reading the side effects of this drug and I'm not sure I even want to keep using it.

The side effects for this medication include, allergic reactions like skin rash or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, chest pain, cough, difficulty breathing, dizziness, drowsiness, fever or infection, joint aches or pains, pale or blue-tinted skin, redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth, tingling, burning, pain, or numbness in hands or feet, unusual bleeding or bruising, unusually weak or tired, yellowing of eyes or skin not to mention it can cause liver, lung, and kidney failure.

But what can we use to combat a urinary infection without risking our health? 

Cranberry

This plant is used most often and because of it's compounds it does not allow the bacteria to stick to the lining of the bladder. To get the best result when using cranberry, use only pure unsweetened cranberry juice or cranberry capsules.

Uva Ursi

The Herb contains chemicals, primarily hydroquinone and hydroquinone derivatives, that make it potentially useful for urinary conditions and is used to treat infections such as cystitis, urethritis and nephritis.  It is absorbed in the stomach and converted into a substance with antimicrobial, astringent, and disinfectant properties. During urination, as it passes out of the body, it acts on the mucus membranes of the urinary tract to soothe irritation, reduce inflammation, and fight infection. Uva Ursi also contains diuretic chemicals, including ursolic acid, powerful astringents, and a chemical that helps promote the growth of healthy new cells. In addition to its antiseptic and astringent actions, Uva Ursi may help to flush out bacteria by promoting urination.

Goldenrod

Has been useful regarding inflammation. You can use this herb to assist in the pain that comes with a urinary infection because it decreases inflammation and also helps control the painful spasms you may experience with a urinary track infection. It is also a diuretic.

Dandelion

This herb is  used for the treatment of the gall bladder, kidney and urinary disorders. As a tonic, Dandelion strengthens the kidneys. An infusion of the root encourages the steady elimination of toxins from the body. This is a powerful diuretic but does not deplete the body of potassium.

Marshmallow Root

The abundance of mucilage makes the herb an excellent demulcent and emollient. These properties make it useful in inflammation and irritation of the alimentary canal, and of the urinary and respiratory organs. Decoctions of the plant; especially of the root, are excellent in painful complaints of the urinary organs, exerting a relaxing effect upon the passages. Powdered root boiled in milk is recommended for hemorrhage from the urinary organs and in dysentery.

There are other things out there, that you can use to kill pesky bacteria and things you can use to prevent it but before you go and try an herb for an infection talk it over with your doctor or see some one who specializes in alternative medicine.