Weed Wanderings herbal eZine with Susun Weed

February 2004
 
Childbearing & Mothering ...
PREVENTING AND CURING BLADDER INFECTIONS
by Susun S. Weed
 

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.

The Childbearing Year by Susun S. Weed book coverexcerpt 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

To read the excerpt "Meeting the Plants" go here
http://www.susunweed.com/Weed_letter_Jan-02.htm#excerpt

To see all of Susun S. Weed's books go here
http://www.wisewomanbookshop.com/

Mother's Little Helpers
Item Price:$ 30.00
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Three experts offer you their best secrets for having and raising healthy kids. You get Adelheid Ohlig's Luna Yoga, Juliette de Bairacli Levy's Nature's Children, and Susun S. Weed's Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year. Luna Yoga, Vital Fertility and Sexuality shows you how to improve your ability to conceive, create, and bear healthy children. Nature's Children is filled with natural child rearing secrets, sage advice, herbal remedies, child-friendly recipes, and fascinating lore. Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year, now in its 29th printing, offers simple, safe herbs for fertility, contraception, healthy pregnancy, labor and delivery, lactation, newborns, and more. Retail value is $36.00, you save 15% - Yours for $30.00 plus shipping.


Weed Wanderings herbal ezine is sponsored by
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Susun Weed is one of America's best-known authorities on herbal medicine and natural approaches to women's health. Her four best-selling books--recommended by expert herbalists and well-known physicians--are used and cherished by millions of women globally. Topics include childbearing, breast health, menopause, wellbeing, and more.

The Wise Woman Center exists to re-weave the healing cloak of the Ancients. This land is sacred, it is a safe space for women, and a place for the teachings of the Wise Woman Way. The Goddess lives here, as do goats, fairies, green witches, and elders. There are many classes, workshops and intensives that are offered at the Wise Woman Center.
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