Good herbal supplements/vitamins?

[Stella1609]

Hi all,

I was wondering what kind of herbs you supplement with for IC (and stress-relief!!!), and what vitamins you were able to tolerate? I would prefer things that are easily available in pill form.

Thanks!!

Laura

[desolationangel]

i take cornsilk and it really helps with urethral pain.

i'm starting l-arginine. it's controversial, but some say that ic patients have lower levels than others. i'm a vegetarian, and it's an amino acid, so i'm thinking i probably need it anyway, and it couldn't hurt. (don't be scared by the word "acid" in the name!)

[anxious one]

I take olive leaf in pure extract form- it's anti viral, anti bacterial and a huge immune system booster. I also take marshmallow root tea, corn silk (I boil it up myself) pearl barley (boiled up myself) and acidophilus.

I am also vego. I have started eating almond spread to boost my vitamin intact and and I eat rice bubbles and weet bix as I tolerate these and they have plenty of vitamins. :)

Sara

[anxious one]

Forgot to mention I also take liquid chloryphyll (very high in B vitamins) and aloe vera when I can afford it! :rolleyes: I tolerate both of these fine. Both are also very cleansing for the body.

Sara

[Stella1609]

Thanks for the advice, all! I may have to try some of these things.

[navemj]

what brand of cornsilk do you use, and where do you buy it? I think I might try it. I have terrible urethral pain.

Navemj

[desolationangel]

Nature's Way.

I found it at Wild Oats. it really does help with the urethral symptoms. if i'm having a flare, i take it before i go to bed, so then i don't have the excruciating burning when i wake up.

[LeahT]

Liquid Silva. I feel a bad cold coming on...usually I take a tsp of Liquid Silva, which is a homeopathic blend. Ingredients are argentum metallicum otherwize known as Silver. Does anybody out there with IC know if this is okay to take?? I used to take Zinc tablets when I felt a cold coming and they would knock it out in 2 or so days. Thanks for any advice... I really am hesitant to add anything new to my gut since I'm on the elimination diet. Thanks! Leah.

[windwalker]

I tried that same silver, mind you this is only me, but I ended up with bladder irritation and a lot of frequency, may not happen to you, we are all different. Maybe for a cold, echinacea? Does zinc bother you now? If not, try zicam?

[CareBear]

ModuCare is great. It helps raise the amount of killer T cells--which boosts the immune system. It is made of plant sterols. :)

[LeahT]

Thanks for your ideas, will try the zinc I think. Appreciate your help, Leah. :kissing:

[LeahT]

Desolation, do you know what is controversial about l-arginine? I bought some at the health food store yesterday but the clerk didn't know anything about it? Thanks for any input! Leah.

[desolationangel]

what's controversial is whether or not it actually helps with ic. as far as i know, it's one of those "no harm in trying" things.

[Specs]

I've been taking extra calcium citrate/magnesium supplements when I flare up... as well as omega 3's (salmon oil). They were recommended to me for their anti-inflammatory properties, and so far, they seem to help for me......

[Butternut]

What about Bromelain (processed from pineapple) as a natural anti-inflammatory? Has anyone tried?