Overactive bladder, or OAB, leads to a number of unpleasant symptoms such as increased urination, leakage and an increased sense of urgency to urinate. A typical treatment regimen will consist of dietary changes, bladder retraining, exercises to strengthen the muscles involved in urination and possibly medications. Some herbal supplements have a long history of use for treating urinary problems and might serve as a complement to these treatments. Do not use herbs without consulting your doctor.
Taking a Holistic Approach
If you have an interest in using herbs to treat OAB, you probably have an interest in natural healing in general. Natural healing modalities take all aspects of health into account. This means that in addition to taking herbal treatments, you must also do things such as eating a diet that excludes foods and beverages that irritate the bladder. Taking herbs will not help if you do nothing else to reduce symptoms of OAB.
Herbal Teas
The physician-created site Urology.com suggests several herbal teas that might help to ease symptoms of OAB. The University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC, advises you to make herbal teas by combining one tsp. of the herb with one cup of water and drinking two to four cups daily, unless advised otherwise. You can also find many herbal teas already prepared.
Cleavers has a long history of use for general urinary health, as does buchu. Other possibly helpful herbal teas include marshmallow root, corn silk, horsetail and usnea lichen. All of these teas have soothing properties that might reduce bladder irritation. Ask a doctor if it is OK to use these herbs for any bladder condition.
Other Herbal Supplements
The University of Maryland Medical Center says the following herbs might reduce symptoms of OAB: St. John's wort, green tea, cranberry and saw palmetto. Saw palmetto is intended for men who suffer OAB due to prostate problems.
Warnings
Some of the herbs mentioned might produce negative side effects or interact with other herbs and medications. St. John's wort interferes with an enzyme responsible for breaking down a wide range of drugs. Negative interactions include but are not limited to medications for mental disorders, oral contraceptives and heart medications. Do not take if pregnant or breastfeeding.
Horsetail can lower levels of vitamin B-1 --- drinking alcohol at the same time will increase this effect. It can interact with diuretics, digoxin and nicotine replacement products such as patches and gum. Do not use if you have gout, kidney or liver disease.
Marshmallow root can interfere with absorption of oral medications. Use caution if you take medications to lower blood sugar.
Working with a Professional
If you have an interest in using herbs to treat OAB, consider working with a naturopathic physician, herbalist or other professional well-versed in herbal therapies. Between misinformation, varying quality of supplements and lack of personal understanding, it might prove difficult to successfully treat a condition naturally on your own. Working with a knowledgeable practitioner can help to determine daily dosages, proper combination of herbs and ensure you take quality supplements that actually contain enough of the herb to exert a therapeutic effect.
