WISE WOMAN WAYS for PREVENTING AND CURING BLADDER INFECTIONS
excerpt from Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year
by Susun S. Weed
Chapter 2 During Pregnancy (pp.44-45)
Bladder Infections
The blood volume increases 50% during pregnancy. Your kidneys,
responsible for cleaning the blood, are called upon to work
correspondingly harder, and your entire urinary system becomes
more vulnerable to stress and infection. As you enter the
last trimester of pregnancy, be alert for warning signs
of bladder, or urinary tract, infections: an urgent and
frequent impulse to urinate (often with little result),
a burning sensation during urination, and a mild cramping
and aching in the abdomen. Prompt treatment of early symptoms,
and preventative action, are the safest course for bladder
infections during pregnancy, as both herbs and medicines
strong enough to cure these infections increase the stress
on the kidneys and have other undesirable side effects.
Non-symptomatic bladder infections discovered during routine
prenatal urine sampling can be successfully treated with
the stronger remedies listed last.
Preventing Bladder Infections
° Wear cotton underwear or no underwear; avoid tight
polyester pants and pantyhose; bacteria thrive in the moist
heat trapped by synthetic fibers.
° Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day and urinate
as soon as you feel the urge; bacteria breed more easily
and rapidly in concentrated and held urine.
° Wipe from front to back, and urinate after intercourse;
bacteria are easily transferred to the bladder from rectum
and surrounding tissues.
° Avoid bubble bath, bath oil, bath salts; bacterial
growth is aided by the resulting change in normal acid/alkaline
balance.
° Drink 5-10 cups of Nettle tea or infusion every week
during the last trimester to strengthen the kidneys.
Remedies for Bladder Infections
° Unsweetened cranberry juice can stop a bladder infection
that is just developing. The keys to successful use are
1) the juice must not be sweetened at all (no sugar, dextrose,
corn syrup, maple syrup, honey, etc.); 2) the juice must
be consumed liberally (an 8 ounce glass every hour for ten
hours is not excessive); and 3) the juice must be started
as soon as the first twinge or suspicion of infection occurs.
Buy unsweetened cranberry juice or concentrate in health
food stores, or prepare your own "juice" by blending
a handful of fresh frozen berries with a cup of water in
your blender. Sour!
Vitamin C is helpful in acidifying the
urine and "washing" out the bacteria. Doses of
up to 500 mg per hour may be used. CAUTION: Large doses
of vitamin C may cause loose stools.
Uva Ursi Arctostaphylos uva-ursi kills
bacteria in the bladder. I have seen it clear up chronic
bladder infections resistant to antibiotics and standard
allopathic medicines. Because it is a strong diuretic, Uva
Ursi requires cautious use during pregnancy. Brew one ounce
of Uva Ursi leaves in a quart jar of boiling water for eight
hours. Drink one cup of this infusion every twelve hours
for the first two days, or in severe cases, one cup every
four hours. Continue with at least one cup daily for another
three days, even if the symptoms disappear sooner. Do not
use Uva Ursi for more than ten days.
Yarrow The astringency, antibacterial
effect, and diuretic potency of Achillea millefolium is
called for if Uva Ursi alone does not clear the bladder
infection within five days. Use one half ounce Yarrow flowers
and one half ounce Uva Ursi leaves in one quart of boiling
water; steep 8 hours. Drink two or three cups daily for
no more than five days.
CAUTION: Juniper berries, Horsetail/Shave Grass,
and Buchu are contraindicated during pregnancy due to the
stress they place on the kidneys.
excerpt
from Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year
by Susun S.Weed
available at http://www.wisewomanbookshop.com/
dear visitor, please take a look at the table of contents
below and then send us an email to let us know which section
you would like to see featured in the March 2004 eZine -
write to susunweed@herbshealing.com
Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year by
Susun S.Weed
Table of Contents
FOREWORD xi
INTRODUCTION xiii
USING THIS BOOK xv
USING HERBS SAFELY xvii
1. BEFORE PREGNANCY 1
Fertility Promoters 2
Herbal Birth Control 5
Teratogens 12
2. DURING PREGNANCY 17
Tonics 18
Morning Sickness 24
Miscarriage 26
Varicosities 29
Constipation 33
Skin Discoloration 34
Anemias 35
Muscle Cramps 36
Backache 37
Heartburn 40
Fatigue, Moodiness 41 Bladder Infections
44
High Blood Pressure 46
Pre-eclampsia 49
3. CHILDBIRTH 55
Breech Presentation 56
False Labor 57
Premature Rupture of Membranes 58
Unripe Cervix 59
Initiating Labor 60
Stalled Labor 61
Rigid Os 65
Exhaustion 66
Pain 67
Elevated Blood Pressure 68
Expulsion of Placenta 69
Hemorrhage 71
Shock 74
4. AFTER PREGNANCY 77
Perineal Tears 78
After-pains 80 |
Child-bed Fever 81
Depression 82
Exhaustion/Tension 83
Lactation 84
5. YOUR INFANT 95
No breath 96
Umbilical Care 96
Circumcision 98
Postpartum Eye Care 98
Eye Infections 99
Pinkeye 100
Jaundice 101
Colic 106
Thrush 109
Diaper Rash 111
Cradle Cap 114
Infections and Fevers 114
6. HERBAL PHARMACY 121
Meeting the Plants 122
Picking Herbs 123
Drying Herbs 124
Foraging Problems 124
Buying Herbs 125
Making Herbal Medicines 126
Water Bases 127
Making Herbal Infusions 128
Herbal Decoctions and Syrups 130
External Uses of Infusions 132
Spirit Bases 133
Tinctures 134
Oil Bases 137
Making Infused Oils 138
Trouble Shooting Infused Oils 138
Making Ointments 139
APPENDIX I 144
Herbal Sources of Vitamins 144
Herbal Sources of Minerals 145
APPENDIX II 147
GLOSSARY 158
INDEX |
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