A natural antibiotic?

[nsmith4366]

Will any of these herbs flare my bladder? A "natural antibiotic" for UTI? :pray:

1. Golden Rod (Solidago canadensis)
2. Uva Ursi (Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi)
3. Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia/purpurea)
4. Marshmallow (Althea officinalis)
5. Couchgrass (Triticum repens)
6. Gravel root (Eupatorium purpureum)
7. Horsetail (Equisetum arvense)
8. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
9. Colostrum Whey Soluble (Lac vaccinum)


---------------- descriptions below --------

1. Golden Rod (Solidago canadensis)
Traditionally used for diuretic purposes; a documented increase in diuresis (urinary output) up to 88 per cent.
Proven anti-inflammatory effects in combination with other herbs.
A potent fungostatic effect in reversing infections.
Potent immune modulating effects, specifically, by inducing macrophage activity.


2. Uva Ursi (Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi)
A premier herb for urinary tract infection with the bladder tonifying effect. Arbutin, one of its primary components, is converted in the bladder to hydroquinone, its active metabolite.
Traditionally used to a diuretic effect; a documented increase in urine flow.
Urinary stone preventive properties.

3. Echinacea (Angustifolia root; Purpurea root, flower, and seed)
Powerful antiseptic qualities - effective for serious infections.
Proven anti-microbial effects, specifically, white blood cell elevatging, antiviral effects.
Immune enhancing properties forming an ideal adjunct for treatment of urinary tract infection.

4. Marshmallow (Althea officinalis)
Soothing, demulcent effects upon inflamed mucus membranes due to large amounts of mucilage.
Especially effective in soothing the pain and inflammation associated with infections of the urinary tract.

5. Couchgrass (Triticum repens)
One of the strongest draining diuretics.
A valuable demulcent having a soothing effect in conditions associated with the inflamed urinary mucosae, such as in cystitis, urethritis, and prostatitis.
Of value in the treatment of enlarged prostate glands.

6. Gravel root (Eupatorium purpureum)
Commonly used in bladder infection (cystitis) for scanty, urgent, dribbling, and painful urination.
Anti-inflammatory properties.
Mild tonic effect upon the genitor-urinary system, of use for prolapsed bladder.
Effective in prevention stone formation due its mild tonic effect upon the genito-urinary system; aspecific for renal calculi (kidney stones).

7. Horsetail (Equisetum arvense)
Proven diuretic effects; used in resolving kidney stones.
Used in acute nephritis (kidney infection), especially if there is blood in the urine.

8. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Useful in urinary tract infections thanks to its diuretic and antiseptic properties.
Valued for its antibiotic effects.

9. Colostrum Whey Soluble (Lac vaccinum)
Colostrum - milk secreted for a few days after parturition and characterized by high protein and antibody content - has many, some as yet unidentified, specific constituents that play a role in conferring passive immunity.
Colostrum Whey Soluble - the soluble fraction of whey colostrum - has a strong, potentizing antibacterial effect on the formula, especially effective in repeated bladder infections.
However, a range of smaller molecular proteins, peptides, amino acids, and minerals found in the soluble fraction of whey comprises only a percentage of the total colostrum content.
Colostrum Whey Soluble guides and supports the immune system by bringing a 'master blueprint' to the body in the form of transfer factors and, thus, helps the immune system to recognize and respond to infections. These transfer factors - tiny protein molecules produced by T-cells - allow the immune system to remember conditions for which immunity has already been established.

[windwalker]

I can only give you my experiences w/some of these, since each of us will react differently, I really cant tell you if you will flare w/any/all of them.
Uva Ursi, flared awfully
Echinacea, flare
Marshmallow, increased frequency (slightly), did help
Horsetail (got it as tea) fine except when I had a uti then flare

Best I can tell ya. Do make sure you only try one at a time so you know what helps and what doesnt. AND its suggested ya talk to your doc before trying any herbal remedy. I do know that if you are on Elmiron and use Marshmallow, you should take them at least 2 hrs apart from each other. Good luck to ya. :)

[Anthrop42]

Even though I'm on antibiotic therapy now, I tried herbs for 4 or 5 months before I started. I can only give my personal experience, but I found that herbs such as uva ursi & horsetail that are diuretics/antiseptics made me flare. I tried those blends for bladders from the health food stores (both capsules & liquids) - they always contain those antiseptic herbs. The liquid form was the worst.

I took marshmallow for several months - it certainly thickened the mucous in my nose & vagina, but didn't seem to do anything positive or negative to my bladder. Licorice seemed to help some.

I just started oregamax (contains oregano & garlic). Oregano is a strong antibiotic & antifungal. I can't say if its helping yet, but it can take 2-3 months for herbs to have an effect. I still get some minor flaring with antibiotics so I thought it might help with that & help keep down the yeast.

Good luck,
Aline

[ICLori]

Not sure about the herbs, but I use d-mannose both to prevent UTI's and also to soothe my IC bladder. As long as I use two heaping teaspoons total per day (divided into two doses 12 hours apart) I don't have any UTI's or any bladder pain/pressure/symptoms at all.

It's expensive, I figure I'm going through probably about $80 worth of d-mannose a month, but it's worth it not to have any IC symptoms.

Anyway, that might be one more natural remedy to add to your list of UTI-preventive herbs.

Blessings,
Lori

[nsmith4366]

YES I am using D-Mannose RIGHT NOW to cure a UTI...and I think its starting to work! I'm scared off of herbs - due to the diuretic effects...even Marshmallow root is like that.

Hey - Anthrop42 - How in the world do you take folic ACID?

[Anthrop42]

Nsmith,

I can't take B-complex (very bad), but my gynecologist argued me into folic acid due to my dysplasia. It doesn't seem to bother me, but I take my vitamins & herbs with food so they're absorbed better.

I agree about D-mannose being a lot better & quicker than herbs. If I feel like a flare or infection, I will take a teaspoon at least once every two hours. Before the antibiotics, I would even take it once an hour. A nurse practitioner who works a lot with alternative medicine told me there was nothing wrong with taking a lot & then tapering down as the symptoms become less.

Aline

[purpleviolet]

Other herbs traditionally used for UTI are goldenseal, juniper, and forskolin. Do your research! Proceed carefully if not under the guidance of a naturopath or herbalist. There are also Chinese herbs but anything imported from China is suspect for contamination. You could seek out a acupuncturist trained in TCM. Every one reponse differently. I take D-mannose whenever I do instills. PVs

[ICNDonna]

I have read that herbs can help to PREVENT a UTI, but aren't very effective if you already have one. Have you had your infection verified by culture? If so, you really only have two choices. One is to take the antibiotic confirmed to be most effective for the specific bacteria --- the other is to drink lots of fluids and wait for your body to overcome the infection the way people had to do before antibiotics were available.

Sending warm healing thoughts,
Donna

[nsmith4366]

Now I'm wondering if I really DO have a UTI - I have an at-home test (yes, know I need to go to a doctor - no lectures please) but I also have extreme allergies that irritate my bladder - I've been using D-mannose like crazy for the past 12 hours and last night my urine was CRYSTAL CLEAR no symptoms at all - yes I continued to use it through the night ...no symptoms this am - then looked at urine and WHAM all this cloudiness and snow in the urine???? but no symptoms??? Could just a very irritated bladder result in cloudy urine and snow in it (tissue?). THEN - 15 minutes later look at urine again - and it is like CRYSTAL CLEAR !!! ??? Then it will be clear all day and same snow/cloudy next am. :confused: My symptoms will come and go - seem to do so as my allergies come and go - parallel. -Can't tell you HOW many times I scuffle off to do a urinalysis at a lab during times like this and NORMAL results. Very confused. - Yes, I know - contact my doctor I KNOW - just wanted to know anyone's experiences similar? I get allegy shots and cannot take any antihistamines or meds/I have nerve damage (already) in my bladder from years of retention (don't have retention now - have interstim / yes its working)...
----just want thoughts and encouragement - I think I have decided it is not a uti - I will test tonight.

[Vampireness]

I thought D-Mannose works best with the E.coli bacteria and none other?

YES I am using D-Mannose RIGHT NOW to cure a UTI...and I think its starting to work! I'm scared off of herbs - due to the diuretic effects...even Marshmallow root is like that.

Hey - Anthrop42 - How in the world do you take folic ACID?

[Katrina]

I really don't know Couchgrass (Triticum repens)
6. Gravel root (Eupatorium purpureum)
7. Horsetail

Anything can since we are all individuals...3. Echinacea didn't bother me but Marshmellow root did.

Garlic can be as effective as some antibiotics and yet you didn't mention it.

http://icandme.9.forumer.com/index.php?showtopic=4 herbal start with IC

I agree with Aline on some antibacterials. There are others but it would take me some looking around.

[mela414]

Hey ICLori,
where do you get the d-mannose? You said that you take 2 teaspoonfuls? Is it a powder? I tired D-mannose in capsule form for a UTI and I remember having to take like 7-8 capsules the first day. Boy did it make me sick! I was nauseous and felt sick all day! I couldn't even take the other doses.

[nsmith4366]

GLOBAL SWEET (use as search keyword will take you there). Yes, you have to take lots the first 24 hours, it should not make you sick at all since it is not absorbed at all into your system. Don't drink too much water when you take it 1 heaping tsp every 2 hours first day w 1 cup water when taking it, 2nd hour drink 1 cup more water to flush it through. Continue for 1 day - and night - set your alarm! Then next day 1 FLAT tsp every 3 hours. Then next day go to every 4 hours. Keep taking 1 FLAT tsp every 4 hours for 5 days AFTER you feel fine too - to make sure its gone. Its not easy to do, its pricey - but if you do it right - it works great and is better antibiotics any day. I've taken too much water with it / won't work - and stopped too soon - came back. Pills or powder doesn't matter all works. I take 1 flat tsp 2x a day to prevent too...works.

[mela414]

Thanks for the info. Hope you have a good day :).

[MarthaF]

Hi Lori,

I have been interested to know that d'mannose is really helping you. I remember that you have been treating your IC symptoms for years and it is interesting that d'mannose is really helping. As far as I can tell it is used for treating UTIs - that is the only symptom it is supposed to target. Evidently it prevents adherence of some bacteria.

Did you ever get relief from using antibiotics? As you know many of us believe chronic bladder symptoms are usually due to bacterial infection, even though many labs can't find the bacteria. We are researching some traditional labs that can do better testing and apparently there are some that are very mainstream but doctors do not know about their more extensive lab tests. We have always felt the key is better culturing.

Martha

[Anthrop42]

I've had a few flares even though I'm on antibiotics. D-mannose helps, but I don't know why. Its possible I've picked up some e. coli on top of my enterococcus that's causing a flare & the d-mannose is clearing that out. Or maybe d-mannose helps the bladder in other ways that haven't been discovered. Or maybe its all in my head....

Aline

[ICLori]

Hi, Martha! Actually, in one of my last urinalysis specimens, one lab found some kind of gram positive bug growing like crazy. The next day, another lab took the same urine and dismissed the gram positive infection as a contaminant even though the colony count was so high.

I was given Cipro anyways by my doctor because of the first lab's results and got better.

I find that as long as I am on antibiotics and/or d-mannose, I am fine. The minute I stop antibiotics/d-mannose, I get symptoms of IC again.

I have no idea why those products work for me. Both of those products (antibiotics and d-mannose) are known to be anti-inflammatory, inhibitory of bacteria, and immunomodulants. I have no idea why these things work on me, but they do, so I'll keep using the d-mannose since I can easily get my hands on it.

It's curious to me that the one lab in one hospital would say I had a raging infection (even the bloodstream results showed I had a sky-high white blood cell count - clearly an infection, and I had the fever to boot) but the other lab in the other hospital took a sample one day later (before I was given any antibiotics) and said the gram positive bug does not cause UTI's so therefore it was not a real UTI.

Never found out what the gram positive bug was, btw. The lab (first lab) was unable to identify it and the second lab dismissed it entirely.

Blessings,
Lori

[MarthaF]

Lori,

Thanks for posting. The whole key is in the testing and reading the results. Lab techs are trained to look for E. coli as the cause of a UTI. Some know that other bugs can be a cause. Enterococcus is the second most common bug in studies done. Gregor Reid who developed FemDophilus did a study in Canada and found this to be true. But lab techs have been used to considering Enterococcus a contaminant since it does not grow in large numbers as E. coli does.

We have just become aware that the big lab corporations have more extensive urine cultures than the 48 hour agar plate. Apparently doctors don't know about them and/or don't order them. We are trying to check them out for more details. There is no question that there are many more bugs out there than are reported.

Anyway, I am glad you have found a solution for your symptoms. But someone should be able to identify the pathogen causing them. Hopefully that will happen one day.

Martha

[Vampireness]

D-mannose only works for E.Coli right?

I hate labs that work that way Lori, it's a good thing the first lab reported it, I got a result somewhat like that. The viable count was low and was on antibiotics but because a Urine FEME was done, they saw my urine contained nitrite so United found the other bacteria to be Group B Strep, once getting treated and the other infection was still active.

I don't get all that much of relief from antibiotics, but certainly better than no treatment, but I always have infections. Even while on antibiotic, I developed, two other bacteria that weren't sensitive to antibiotic I was taking.

[Franny]

Lori -I'm so happy to hear the d-mannos works for you. Relief was such a long time coming. franny

[Franny]

I've been having luck with topically applying oil of oregano on each side of my ankles and taking echinacea tincture. From what I understand each of these is an antibiotic or antiviral respectively.

[Vampireness]

Applying oil of Oregano on the skin on your sides of your ankles to feel relief from bladder issues?

I still have a whole bottle of Echinacea tablets with me, but I don't know how to take them. Since I'm already on antibiotics....

I've been having luck with topically applying oil of oregano on each side of my ankles and taking echinacea tincture. From what I understand each of these is an antibiotic or antiviral respectively.

[Franny]

Yeah, I know it sounds weird but think about it....hormones, birth control, pain meds are delivered throught the skin. For some reason my symptoms subside whenever I use both ech. and oreg.

[Vampireness]

Yeah it does sound weird actually Franny.
But, it must have taken an awful long to work? Since, Elmiron is taken orally and takes several month to a year to kick in, since it takes time to travel to the bladder?
Birth control pills, didn't know they could be applied, I thought they are taken orally? I don't know much about them anyways, I don't take them.